Potomac Chamber Names Student Volunteer 'Youth of the Year'

Julianne Pearson, a senior at  in Potomac, received the surprise of a lifetime this month when the school’s director of campus ministry, Jean Plummer, called her into her office. 

Plummer and Pearson’s mother, Judy Costello, had been in cahoots about Pearson’s nomination to be the Potomac Chamber’s “Youth of the Year.” 

 In the school's nomination of Pearson for the distinction, Plummer wrote: "More than once I have heard a student comment that we need more people like Julianne Pearson in the world, and I know that her example inspires others to grow to be better people."

When Plummer and Costello learned that Pearson had been chosen for the honor, they planned a surprise for her at the school. 

After being called into Plummer’s office, Tuesday, Oct. 4, Pearson was informed that she needed to speak with a special person, Potomac Chamber Vice President Fred Goldman, on the phone. The curiosity was almost overwhelming for Pearson, who compared the experience to another important life moment.

“It felt like someone in my family was about to give birth,” Pearson said.

When Goldman announced that Pearson had been chosen as the Potomac Chamber of Commerce Youth of The Year, Pearson said she was moved to tears.

A star student and dedicated athlete, Pearson holds the second-highest GPA in her class, and has bounced-back from two soccer-related head concussions to win the Potomac Chamber award. Some of Pearson’s academic and volunteer projects include: teaching Sunday school at her church, singing in a school musical group and serving as vice-president of the Holy Child chapters of the National Honor Society and Best Buddies International, working at youth summer camps in Washington D.C. and New York City and assisting with charity bingo games.

“My mom was telling me that I need to learn to say ‘no’ a little more,” Pearson joked.

As Youth of The Year, Pearson will participate in the  

Check out our slide show for more on Julianne Pearson and her work as a student and community volunteer.

Montgomery County’s Community Service Week is in full swing, and Patch would love to share your story. How do you stay involved with your community? What service projects are important to you? We will run a series of stories profiling community service in and around the Potomac community all week, so send in your own photos and stories of community service! Email Potomac Patch editorkatie.griffith@patch.com for more information.