In The News: Pamplin to 'Kids': Make world a better place

Ceremony — Newspaper group honors future leaders with May 6 gala

PORTLAND — Potential was in the air at a May 6 gala event honoring the 25 Pamplin Media Group 2015 Amazing Kids at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

The honorees, ranging in age from 9 to 18 and including Megan Tarmichael of Newberg, were feted with food, music and a presentation by Dr. Robert Pamplin Jr., owner of the Portland Tribune and the 25 other newspapers in the PMG empire.

Pamplin, an experienced motivational speaker who averages about 150 events per year, delivered a simple message to the youths gathered: Contribute to society, believe in themselves and never give up.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we contribute,” he told the 20 attending students, their friends, family and some staff from the PMG newspapers.

“You’ve taken imagination and made it into a reality,” Pamplin said, encouraging the students to think of themselves as entrepreneurs and salespeople. “Everybody can sell themself if they want to be a winner.”

The event was also attended by people from many of the sponsors of Amazing Kids, companies such as OMSI, Tri-Met and Gresham Ford, who made the event possible.

Clackamas’ 2015 Amazing Kid, Emily Doll of Gladstone, said she was pleased to be able to meet with other involved youth from around the metro area.

“I felt honored to be included with all of these awesome people,” Doll said, noting in particular the admiration she had for the Sherwood awardee, Emma Aanderud, who kept up a positive attitude through long months of chemotherapy. “Her story really inspired me.”

Terry Boyd, a KPAM 860 announcer, presided over the event and said the afternoon had given him a more positive outlook. “I’m confident that with kids like this, the next 10 or 20 years in this country, we’re in great shape,” he said.

The Amazing Kids section was released in Pamplin Media Group newspapers the week of May 4. Find a copy online at publications.pmgnews.com/ fpubs/amazing-kids-2015/.

Written by:  Pamplin Media Group