The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) presented the Cassandra Zietz Youth Leadership Award to Dillon Haug of Spearfish, South Dakota, at their annual conference in October.
The Cassandra Zietz Award is in honor of an NACDD friend and conference participant who exemplified the goal of full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. The Award is intended to honor a young person with a developmental disability who has actively demonstrated a personal commitment to the goal of full inclusion in the community as Cassandra did during her lifetime. Dillon Haug was nominated for the award by the South Dakota Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Dillon Haug has demonstrated both the desire and determination to live life fully in the community as shown by his work and home, and his educational, recreational and other activities in his community. Along with work, he is active with his church, Lions Club, Black Hills State University and a faithful attendee of a morning coffee group. He is an officer for the SD Council on Developmental Disabilities and a member of the SD Advocacy Services Protection & Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD) Board.
The following statements from the letters of recommendation summarize why Dillon Haug received the award - "Dillon
is a real contributor to our community.
he is one of those people who have made Spearfish a "nice place to live."
he has clearly demonstrated a desire and a motivation to live a full life in our community. For that, our community is a better place to live.
his own determination and recognition of his assets and abilities is reflected back in the high regard of others. Those of us without visible disabilities would be wise to model after Dillon."