BISMARCK, N.D. – First Lady Kathryn Burgum will be recognized Tuesday, June 25, as a leader in youth health and safety by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) with the Outstanding Contribution Award.
The award is given to an individual who has consistently worked to promote the safety of young people, thereby directly benefiting the members of SADD chapters across the country. It is one of the organization’s highest honors presented to a passionate advocate whose work advances the themes of SADD: traffic safety, substance abuse, and personal health and safety.
“Students Against Destructive Decisions plays a critical role in North Dakota and the country by empowering youth to be leaders and take action to transform their communities,” Burgum said. “I am grateful to be recognized by such a proactive organization committed to solutions for the challenges that many youths are facing like addiction and stigma.”
Other national award winners include Alberto Gutier, director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Kimberly and Stephen Schlapman, county music artists from Little Big Town receiving the Youth Choice Award.
“We are honored to be able to celebrate the many individuals and organizations whose work supports our efforts to empower teens, engage parents, mobilize communities and create the change we deeply desire,” said Rick Birt, SADD president and CEO. “Without them, we would not be able to do what we do each and every day.”
Burgum will receive the Outstanding Contribution Award and deliver remarks to the national conference during the SADD Awards Luncheon at 2:30 p.m. Central at the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale. The master of ceremonies for the luncheon will be North Dakota native and current Valley City State University student Lauren Roscoe, who serves as national president and Student of the Year for SADD. The session is sponsored by Ford Driving Skills for Life.