Marshall public, youth leadership awards given

Matthew Bisturis is the winner of the 2014 General George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award and Jose Scott, a senior at Fort Vancouver High School, has won the Marshall Youth Leadership Award.

The awards were announced Wednesday by the Fort Vancouver National Trust at its dinner. The keynote speaker was Rick Drake, director of corporate relations and associate director of development of the George C. Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Va.

The awards honor the legacy of one-time Vancouver resident Gen. George C. Marshall.

Bisturis has lived and worked in Vancouver since 2007. In his nomination form, David Bristol wrote, “Since the beginning of his legal career, Matt has exemplified himself as a professional and an enthusiastic leader in this community. He volunteers his time to the Washington Small Business Development Center through WSU.”

In addition, Bristol wrote, Bisturis “volunteers in teaching two classes on the topic of business formations to students enrolled at WSU. He serves on the board of the Parks Foundation of Vancouver and Clark County and donates his time to Leadership Clark County.”

The award includes $2,200 for a trip to the Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Va.; Colonial Williamsburg; and Washington, D.C. Bisturis also will participate in the Trust’s “Celebrate Freedom” programs.

Fort Vancouver teacher Bethany Rivard calls Scott, this year’s youth leadership award winner, “the most extraordinary young man. … He makes everyone around him better with the way he leads by example. He takes any leadership opportunity that is offered to him.”

Counselor Marie Monek noted Scott’s focus on academics while contributing countless hours toward the school’s anti-bullying program and club for students of color.

The award includes a $2,500 college scholarship and a $500 summer internship.