Payne & Phillips Win PEO

DAYTON - Why were Dayton High School seniors Molly Payne and Davy Phillips selected as the 2011 recipients of the Philanthropic Education Association's Citizenship Award?

Kris Takamura, president of the Dayton's Chapter BJ, put it this way:

"To win this award," she said during a Thursday night presentation at the Delaney Building, "requires honesty, courtesy, amiability, morality, punctuality and character. You guys are very good examples of that."

Payne and Phillips are the 81st recipients of the PEO Citizenship Award, which was first presented in 1930. They each receive a scholarship of $250.

Each year, the organization selects an "outstanding young man and woman from the high school's senior class, drawing nominations from the high school faculty, Associated Student Body offi- cers and the PEO Citizenship Award Committee.

Payne said she intends to attend Washington State University and pursue a degree in marketing and business.

"It's really great," she said about receiving the award. "My mom, Susie, was in PEO and I grew up going to meetings with her. I helped the Associated Student Body with the nominations last year. I think it's really cool how they support kids' college education."

Payne has been a cheerleader, golf player and president of the local chapter of Future Business Leaders of America.

"I'm in a lot of stuff," she said. "I get bored if I'm not in anything."

Phillips has plans to attend the University of Washington and study Computer Science Engineering, hoping to eventually land a job with Microsoft, Boeing or another company in the Seattle area.

Phillips, who has been captain of his soccer team, has a leadership role in Young Life and raised $2,000 for Dayton's fifth-grade ski program, said he welcomes the recognition of his community involvement.

"It makes me feel that living the best life I could all these years was worth it," he said.

Phillips said he tends to give every effort 110 percent no matter what it is - shoveling snow for a neighbor, training with his soccer team or playing capture the flag with younger kids in Young Life.

"I never let up," he said.

The scholarship checks for Payne and Phillips will be presented at graduation on June 4.