Teen takes top honors at Great Place | Life

Fort Cavazos teenager Mitchell Ledet didn't think he would win the coveted Fort Cavazos Military Youth Award, but he was wrong.

Nominated by his peers, Ledet was honored as the Great Place's Outstanding Teen for his outstanding achievements and dedication to advocating on behalf of Fort Cavazos teens and the broader community.

He shared that he was surprised by the honor.

“When I filled out my application, I went in, in all honesty, without really expecting to win, because the extraordinary people I was competing against all had great merits to their credit,” explained Ledet . “So I just had to go in there with a lot of hope and strength and belief in myself, believing that I was going to win.”

Hope, strength and confidence are just a few of the traits that will help Ledet in her new role as a spokesperson for teens on the installation and ensuring their concerns are heard.

Representing his peers and becoming the driving force in partnership with the installation command team and children and youth services leaders to bring about change is a huge role, Ledet said he does not take not lightly.

Ledet spoke on behalf of his peers during a forum in which teens addressed various issues and concerns before a panel of Fort Cavazos garrison and CYS leadership.

The panel listened to adolescents speak out about issues affecting them at school, at home and in the community, and formulate solutions to improve their quality of life.

Ledet explained that the opportunity to address issues impacting one's demographics with those who can influence change is invaluable.

“It helps (teens) feel like their issues and concerns are actually being heard,” he said. “Being able to talk to people who have direct power to make a difference allows (teenagers) to get results faster and feel like their concerns are being heard.” This opportunity gave me the chance to share their thoughts as well as my own to improve the Great Place for those who come after me.

Ledet's achievement is even more impressive given the rigorous selection process.

Applicants were required to submit an application containing four essays, two letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae and a cover letter. They also worked closely with their advisors, who acted as mentors throughout the process.

Applicants from each of the four youth centers were then interviewed, judged and scored based on their overall character and confidence. Ledet was selected by the Comanche Youth Center to represent Fort Cavazos at the state competition in Austin, Texas, and was officially named Fort Cavazos Military Youth of the Year.

“Mitchell has an incredible gift for inspiring others, and you just don’t see that in many high school kids,” said Melanie Mahoney, director of facilities at the Comanche Youth Center. “His dreams may be big, but his drive to succeed is even greater, and I can't wait to see how he takes on this world.”

Now a high school graduate, the future looks bright for Ledet. He hopes to experience similar success when he competes in the Southwest Regional Military Youth of the Year competition Wednesday in

Dallas and the National Military Youth of the Year competition September 18 in Atlanta, Georgia.