Curtis Leak was honored as Man of the Year at the Scotland County NAACP Youth Council 2009 Image Awards on Sunday.
The Image Awards was a ceremony to honor community members who inspire the youth as well as high-achieving students.
"It was an honor and a privilege to receive this award from the youth of this community," said Leak, a Laurinburg City Council member. "They see some of the things that I do in city government and I also assist some of them in the community."
He said he helps young people with their education and finances, and also engages them about their lives.
In accepting the award, he also mentioned his plans of retiring from city council in 2011.
"In 2011, my seat will be available," Leak said. "I made the comment to get young people interested in politics and the election process, that way, some of them will think about running."
Leak said he does not have anyone in particular he wants to run - he is encouraging anyone who is interested in getting involved and running.
Leak said that a lot of people have approached him about running for office.
"I tell them to go to workshops offered by the League of Municipalities," said Leak, a retired educator.
"[Leak] has widely contributed to the youth and the entire county," Rena McNeil, youth council advisor, said. "He had the strongest contribution to the youth of the county."
McNeil explained that the council took nominations and then decided on who should be awarded based on their contributions to the youth.
Leak was not the only politician to be recognized at the award ceremony. Gov. Beverly Purdue was awarded Woman of the Year.
She was not in attendance, so Rep. Garland Pierce will present her the award in Raleigh.
A number of people were recognized as advocates of youth. They are: Margerie Morrison-Malloy, Evelyn Monroe-Allen, Charles Campbell, Pastor Darryl Todd of Spring Branch Baptist Church, Vern Penny, Jimmy Bennett, Aredlia Ingram Norma Hill-Leak and the Streeter family.
A number of other people were recognized at the 2009 Image Awards.
LeeNique Penny was honored as the North Carolina NAACP Youth of the Year; Doretha Swann won the volunteer of the year award; Emma Stone was recognized for 20 years of excellence in education; Amber Watkins was recognized as the first youth council president; Breanna Ray Smith was recognized as a multi-talented youth; Jadelyn Ray was recognized for commendable academic achievement; April Randolph and John Lowery received Teacher of the Year awards; Jethro Bassett received the Military Service Award; Darwin Williams was recognized for superior community service, protection and volunteerism; Robert Malloy was recognized as a prolific and influential ACT-SO advocate; Tyler Harrington was recognized as the Remarkable President of the Year; Shaquille Carbo was the Stellar Scholar Youth; Pastor Paul and Sharon Murphy received the Dynamic Duo Award; and Sandy Callan was recognized for exceptional media reporting.
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