Jason Trojan and Kate MacEwen-Conti Embody Ideal of Making Ypsilanti a Better Place
Ypsilanti, Michigan – February 9, 2011 - The Ypsilanti Area Jaycees recently honored Jason Trojan and Kate MacEwen-Conti with the Rising Star award, a recognition for citizens between the ages of 21 and 40 who go above and beyond in their quest to make the Ypsilanti-area community a better place. This is the second year the Rising Star award has been given. The recipients were honored at the Ypsilanti Jaycees 2011 Inaugural Ball in late January.
Trojan, a junior at Eastern Michigan University, began working with Huron Valley Ambulance in 2006 as an EMT. He later moved in to the community relations department, where he took charge of Camp 9-1-1, a free, two-day program geared toward teaching children ages 8-12 about emergency preparedness, public safety occupations, and injury prevention. By 2007, Tojan had doubled the number of camps.
In 2008, Trojan founded the EMS Citizens Academy, an 8-week program covering a variety of topics, including CPR and First Aid certification. Trojan coordinates a number of other community safety events, including Safety Town at local schools, the Andy the Ambulance program for daycare and preschool-age children, and information booths at festivals and events.
In addition to his studies and his job at HVA, Trojan serves as an advisor for the Washtenaw County Sheriff Department Explorers and has volunteered with organizations such as the Salvation Army, Ele’s Place, and the Big Brother Big Sister program.
MacEwen Conti is the current Vice President of Development and External Relations of Community Alliance, a non-profit providing group homes, supported living services and fiscal intermediary services to people with developmental disabilities. Prior to 2009, Community Alliance did not have a development program. MacEwen-Conti was hired to establish the program, and has since quadrupled giving.
MacEwen-Conti is actively involved with advocacy efforts to provide dental care for Medicaid recipients (eliminated by the state government in 2009). In partnership with the Michigan Dental Coalition for the Aging and Elisa Ghezzi, DDS, MacEwen-Conti has organized free dental examinations and oral cancer screenings for Medicaid recipients with disabilities.
In addition, MacEwen-Conti serves on the Board of Directors of the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), which addresses the gaps of diversity and youth involvement in the service, civic engagement, philanthropy and decision-making life of their communities.
The Rising Star award is given annually in January. Any Ypsilanti-area resident between the ages of 21 and 40 can be nominated. Anyone can nominate a Rising Star. Nominations are accepted year-round at
risingstarchair@ypsilantijaycees.com.
About the Rising Star Award:
The Rising Star award is given annually in January to community members between the ages of 21-40 who go above and beyond to make Ypsilanti and the surrounding community a better place. Nominees come from a variety of fields and can be nominated by anyone. The award started in 2009 as an offshoot of the Michigan Jaycees Outstanding Young Michigander (OYM). The Rising Star winner receives free membership for one year to the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees, a trophy, and the opportunity to be submitted to the Michigan Jaycees OYM.
About the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees:
The Ypsilanti Area Jaycees chapter is currently the largest in the state of Michigan with 121 members. The Jaycees run over 100 projects per year, focusing on community development, individual development, chapter management, and social activities. For more information, visit
www.ypsilanitijaycees.com.
