A tremendous contribution by 300 at-risk youth, with each participant averaging two hours a day of work for the past year, has put the sparkle into five state parks in northeastern Oklahoma. The cadets of Thunderbird Youth Academy also have provided immeasurable manpower help to a wide range of organizations and special events.

While the young men have been learning such things as leadership, fitness, citizenship and life skills, the character of Oklahoma's environment has been transformed by their individual contributions.

Our judges said this program is what service-learning is all about. For keeping Oklahoma beautiful one person at a time, Thunderbird Youth Academy is good news and a fine example for all Oklahomans.