Volunteer Kya Small-Brush
Kya Small-Brush is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Resource Management.
Kya Small-Brush, 14, is a dedicated and passionate volunteer who has been coming to John D. MacArthur Beach State Park since she was 8 years old for summer camp programs, park visits and beach cleanups.
Since 2020, she has participated in the monthly Junior Friends program for middle school and high school students. Kya has participated in our Citizen Science Marine Debris Program, cleaning up the beach and mangroves, conducting bird surveys and reporting them to eBird, and painting stakes that are used to mark sea turtle nests at the park.
In 2022, she volunteered more than 45 hours. She also attends monthly beach cleanups with family and friends. She highlights the park and its programs for her school assignments. Last summer, she volunteered as a counselor-in-training for summer camp.
With her welcoming and kind personality, Kya has been a wonderful role model for campers and an integral part of our Junior Friends group.
Kya has a strong work ethic that reflects in her volunteer time at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. She has created friendships in Junior Friends and brought in new volunteers to the group as well. She is upbeat, kind and dedicated - making anyone who works with her feel welcome.
She is someone you can rely on. Kya is always ready to help where it is needed. We are excited to continue to work with her and see what she accomplishes next as she continues to volunteer at the park!
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