On Jan. 26, Gwyneth (Gwyn) Curry, Charlie Grenis and Rachel Loeffler from Point Loma Venturing Crew 500 were inducted into the National Youth Leadership Society (NYLS) class of 2012 during the annual San Diego/Imperi-al Council Venturing and Sea Scout Awards Dinner. Venturing is a co-ed program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), which emphasizes leadership, outdoor skills, character development and citizenship. The program is geared to high school and early college-age young women and men. The purpose of NYLS is to recognize youth members of BSA who have learned and practiced outstanding leadership skills — the elite of Scouting. There to present the awards on behalf of BSA’s National Council was Sean Roy, San Diego-Imperial Council’s director of field services, who said, “We’re very proud of all three of them. They have been a longtime contributors to the Venturing program at the unit level in Crew 500 and to Scouting in general.” Loeffler, a senior at Coronado High School, has been a member of Venturing Crew 500 for nearly four years, and is currently the crew’s guide, having previously served as crew secretary and crew president. She is also currently serving as secretary of the Venturing Officer’s Association (VOA) within the San Diego/Imperial Council, which oversees Venturing activities throughout San Diego and Imperial counties. Just a week after completing eighth grade, Rachel drove to Idaho as the newest member of Crew 500, where the crew spent six days at the Salmon River High Adventure Base near Idaho Falls, and completed Kodiak, a leadership skills course taught while the crew was hiking, white-water rafting and rock climbing. Rachel went on to complete Kodiak X and BSA’s National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). Curry, a junior at University City High School, is vice president of administration in Venture Crew 500, and boatswain (equivalent to president) of Sea Scout Ship 1886. Sea Scouting is a specialized segment of the Venturing program, focused on maritime skills and heritage. Curry has completed Kodiak and Kodiak X leadership programs, NYLT and the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience and has served on the staff of NYLT teaching leadership skills to other youth. Grenis is a junior at California State University in Chico and has been a member of Venturing Crew 500 since 2005, and a member of Boy Scouts since 2001, when he joined Pack 546. Grenis is an Eagle Scout and has previously served as the senior patrol leader of Troop 500, as well as vice president of Crew 500. He has also completed Kodiak, Kodiak X and NYLT while a member of Crew 500. Grenis was back at college and unable to attend the dinner, but the award was accepted on his behalf by the current Crew 500 president Hannah Olson. Olson was also presented the council’s Venturing Leadership Award for exceptional contributions to Venturing and exemplifying the Venturing code. Olson is a sophomore at Point Loma High School. She is also a member of Crew 500 and Ship 1886. Crew 500 is chartered through Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Point Loma, while Ship 1886 is chartered through the San Diego Yacht Club. Venturing Crew 500 advisor Stan Miller was on hand for the presentations during the awards dinner. About his Crew, Stan said, “The heart and soul of what we do in the Boy Scouts of America, including Venturing, is produce leaders for tomorrow. Charlie, Rachel, Gwyn and Hannah have learned and practiced outstanding leadership skills.”