Youth Spark: Tono Sablan
Name: Tono Sablan
Age: 15
School: Franklin Pierce High School
“I pledge to Be the Spark by reducing stereotypes and finding the best in everyone.”
Antonio, or better known as Tono, demonstrates leadership and true humanitarianism; “I've witnessed his passion and zeal in the classroom and the community at large,” Beneva Johnson, 8th grade teacher. Tono shows sensitivity and respect toward his classmates while speaking out on important issues such as health care and government reform. He is adept at bringing others into public discussions and leads through example- always listening, sharing, and valuing participation of others. Tono's greatest gift is his ability to engage others in problem solving; he is able to bring people together to analyze problems and work toward solutions.
Tono has always participated in school government, but as a freshman he went the extra mile, beyond the duties of an ASB member and initiated Project UNITE (Uniting Nationalities Initiating Togetherness Everywhere.) He formed this project with the intention of bringing people together and ending divisions, racism, and violence at his school. Through his leadership, students have a vehicle for acknowledging school issues and working together toward solutions.
As I sat down with Tono I could tell he had a definite interest in politics and an innate desire to be a leader. His teachers and peers have faith in his aspirations and take him seriously when he says that he is going to be the President of the United States. They base this off of his outgoing personality and executive mentality, but I think it also has to do with the fact that he is intelligent, passionate, well-read and very articulate. Pierce County and the United States are sure to see great things come from this passionate, caring and driven young man.
Click here for more information on Project UNITE