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 Previous: Radio Amateurs Among ValuJet Flight 592 Memorial Cleanup Volunteers |  Next: The K7RA Solar Update |
 Amateur Radio Newsline 2005 Young Ham of the Year Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y. |
NEWINGTON, CT, July 29, 2005--Twelve-year-old Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y, of Hoover, Alabama, has been named the 2005 Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year (YHOTY). Cited among her numerous accomplishments was her involvement in a toy drive for Alabama victims of Hurricane Ivan. An ARRL Assistant Section Manager for Youth, Rebekah not only took in donations of toys but raised more than $1100 to purchase winter clothing and additional toys. She also serves as net control for the Birmingham Amateur Radio Club (BARC) weekly BARC Kids Net, which she originated in 2002. In addition, she helps teach the club's ham radio classes and assists at examination sessions. She's also worked to recruit newcomers to Amateur Radio.
"A born communicator, Rebekah has used her skills to
influence other youngsters to enter the hobby through presentations she has
made at three of the largest hamfests in Alabama and at Carole Perry's 'Youth
in Amateur Radio' forum at Dayton
Hamvention," said a news release announcing the award. At this year's
Hamventon, Rebekah also was among those helping out at the "ARRL Youth
Activities" concession at ARRL EXPO 2005--at times sharing booth duty with 2004
YHOTY Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, an ARRL Web contributing editor and Georgia's Assistant Section Manager for Youth Activities.
Rebekah also has sponsored Kid's Day events the past two years at the BARC club station, W4CUE, and even met with Huntsville, Alabama, Mayor Loretta Spencer to discuss Amateur Radio-related issues. ARRL Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, called Rebekah "a very active amateur radio operator who deserves this award."
An ARRL Full Family Life Member, Rebekah got her license when she was eight, upgrading to Amateur Extra a year later. BARC honored her with a plaque for becoming the youngest Extra class operator in the state and possibly the entire South.
Rebekah comes from a ham radio family. Her parents are
Truman and Angela Williams, NN4C and WN4C. Her older sister Christal is KG4WYN.
She also has two brothers, Jeffrey and Joey. She is a rising seventh grader at Homeland Christian School, where she's on the honor roll and has received many citizenship
awards.
 |
 Rebekah and her mom helping out at the ARRL EXPO 2005/ARRL Convention "Youth Activities" booth. |
An avid DXer, Rebekah achieved DXCC by age 10. She enjoys contesting and participates in the Alabama QSO Party, the ARRL 160-Meter Contest, the CQ World Wide WPX Contest and the CQ World Wide DX Contest. She's also a regular on Kid's Day and ARRL Field Day, and she was on hand when Gov Bob Riley declared June 20-26 as Amateur Radio Week in Alabama.
Outside of Amateur Radio, her interests include reading, writing, painting, chess, ballet, photography, collecting stamps and choral singing. She also finds time to visit local nursing homes and to help the Ronald McDonald House raise money.
The Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award will be presented to Rebekah Dorff Saturday, August 20, at the Huntsville Hamfest. Co-hosting the award ceremony will be Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, of Amateur Radio Newsline, and ARNewsline anchor Don Wilbanks, AE5DW. Representing corporate underwriters will be CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, and CQ Advertising Manager Don Allen, W9CW, plus representatives of Vertex Standard USA (Yaesu).
As the 2005 YHOTY winner, Vertex-Standard will cover Rebekah's hamfest stay and present her with a piece of Yaesu ham gear. CQ magazine will treat her to a week at Space Camp Huntsville and will present her with a variety of CQ products. Amateur Radio Newsline will give Rebekah a commemorative plaque, underwritten by Dave Bell, W6AQ.
Now celebrating its 20th year, the Amateur Radio
Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award goes each year to a radio amateur 18
years old or younger who has provided outstanding service to the nation or
community or for the betterment of the state of the art in communication
through Amateur Radio.
| Previous: Radio Amateurs Among ValuJet Flight 592 Memorial Cleanup Volunteers | Next: The K7RA Solar Update |
