One Rochelle Township High School junior has been honored for his academic performance, volunteer service and extra-curricular activities.
Twenty Rock River Valley high school students have received the Rockford Register-Star’s 60th Young American award, RTHS Junior Conrad Milton among them.
“Every deed, no matter how small, matters,” said Lon Haenel, RR Star consumer marketing director said. “You’re making a difference in this world, which is what the Young American award recognizes.”
Talking less and listening more is a trait that results in greater success for leaders said keynote speaker Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea. He told recipients in the digital age of texting, tweeting and emailing, face-to-face communication remain most important.
“President Donald Trump — what is he doing that’s consistently getting him in trouble? Tweeting,” O’Shea cautioned. “You need to tweet, you need to text, and you need to do video conferencing... (but) 75 to 95 percent of your message is (delivered) through nonverbal cues; let them know who you are beyond just a tweet.”
Managing Editor Anna Derocher was impressed by the teens’ accomplishments.

She said, “You guys are going to make a difference in your communities.”
Conrad Milton is the son of Juanita and Lance Milton of Lindenwood. He was chosen based on his long record of achievement and service:
National Honor Society, Gold+ Renaissance status every semester and 2 Renaissance awards, I-Care Recognition, State for Math Team; and his place on the High Honor Roll every semester so far.
Contributions
Conference Band Honors Festival (Gr 10); Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Camp; among the Interact Club’s most active members; Math Team, World Youth in Science and Engineering Team (WYSE), Scholastic Bowl, Marching, Pep, Jazz, Concert and Madrigal Band as well as the Rochelle Municipal Band.
He has been a Junior Summer Band mentor for three years; constructed library boxes to provide free books for Rochelle community members; has earned 350+ community service hours.
Conrad has provided academic assistance to peers for three years, and has volunteered in other ways:
• in the RTHS Library-Media Center, at Student Council’s Make a Difference Day, in the church nursery,
• at Rockford Kiwanis Brat Days, in the Dement Township Public Library, at St. Paul School Carnival,
• at Rotary’s From the Heart events, and he has been the church custodian for seven years.
What’s next?
Conrad is in the process of choosing a university where he will study chemical engineering.