Ten adults who work with youth will be recognized by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and MMSD Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard for their outstanding contributions supporting youth at a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 27, 4-5:30 pm on the fourth floor of the Madison Youth Arts Center.
The Madison-area Out-of-School Time initiative ensures that all of Madison’s children and youth have access to comprehensive, high-quality, out-of-school time programs that support positive youth development, educational achievement, and readiness for college, career, and community. MOST is a collaboration between the City of Madison, Dane County, Madison Metropolitan School District, and over 45 Madison-area youth-serving organizations.
Eight “MOST Outstanding Youth Workers” will be recognized, along with two “Legends of Out-of-School Time.”
Last year alone, 14,371 Madison youth received 1.7 million hours of support provided by Out-of-School Time (OST) organizations. Despite the scale of essential services they provide to the Madison community, OST organizations and their staff do not always get the recognition they deserve, according to a press release from Madison’s Out-of-School Time, and that is why MOST is recognizing their contributions to making our city better with $500 awards.
Award winners were nominated by their peers, with final selections made by a group of former MOST Award Winners among dozens of strong nominees.
The 2025 Legends Awards will be presented to KC Gilbertson from Red Caboose and Pat Wongkit from Northport and Packer Community Learning Center.
The 2025 MOST Outstanding Youth Workers include
- Chong Thao from Bayview Foundation
- Taylor Zimmerman from Wisconsin Youth Company
- Zion Turner from Lussier Community Education Center
- Ben Pate from Maydm
- Arree Macon from Madison School and Community Recreation
- Bailey Reis from Madison School and Community Recreation
- Jessica Zimmerman from Madison School and Community Recreation
- Ashley Rounds from Goodman Community Center
These winners are the sixth group of MOST Outstanding Youth Workers, joining 50 other winners from 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Biographies of the honorees, as provided Madison Out-of-School Time, are as follows:
Chong Thao from Bayview Foundation – Chong brings a profoundly calm and thoughtful presence to Bayview daily. As the Bayview community undergoes a massive transformation, welcoming over 40 new families, the elementary program under his leadership has doubled in size. Chong possesses an innate ability to make every child feel genuinely welcomed and a vital part of our community. He understands that elementary-aged children are often the frontline of community change, experiencing things acutely and embracing new beginnings without reservation. Having served Bayview as a program leader from 2016-2019 and returning in 2022, Chong’s dedication is unwavering. He is passionate about fostering future leaders, consistently acting as a vital bridge connecting youth and families to opportunities, ensuring every child can achieve their full potential. His impact on Bayview’s rapidly growing youth population is truly exceptional.
Taylor Zimmerman from Wisconsin Youth Company – Taylor is an outstanding youth worker whose strong interpersonal skills have helped cultivate meaningful and lasting relationships between staff, children and families at her Franklin afterschool program. Her strong relationship-building skills have promoted rapport between her and the school staff at Franklin, developing deep bonds and bridging the gap between afterschool and school faculty. She’s promoted community and inclusivity by inviting families into the program as she facilitates and leads a family event each month. Taylor has gone above and beyond to connect with her families and children, providing them with meaningful connections through her daily interactions and in the many ways that she supports her program. Taylor has been a leader in her Program Supervisor role, leading trainings for supervisors and providing staff with helpful and relevant information to lead a successful program; she’s truly led by example.
Zion Turner from Lussier Community Education Center – Mr. Zion has modeled for Lussier Community Education Center youth how to embrace their struggles, as well as the process that they must go through in order to achieve. At the young age of 23, he has already become an author and written a book that is sold on Amazon, he has achieved educational milestones and received full scholarship to UW Madison, he has created his own curriculum and programming that supports the needs of our youth, and most of all he has gained the love and respect of the youth in our center and surrounding schools/and community by believing in them when they don’t even believe in themselves. Not only does he teach our youth strategies for positive outcomes, but he also upholds the standards that he encourages them to meet.
Ben Pate from Maydm– Since joining Maydm in May 2022 as Program Manager, Ben has made a significant impact on Maydm and their students. He transformed the offerings into a year-round pathway from middle school through high school, culminating in an internship program, with specialized tracks for student development. Notably, he created the Creators Lab program, where students earn up to $1,000 over the summer working on independent projects. This initiative aims to provide income, professional skills, and networking for high school students.
Ben prioritizes social-emotional learning and mental health support for students and staff, fostering an environment for exploration and skill development. His compassionate mentorship particularly benefits our young men in need of positive role models. Even after relocating, Ben remains dedicated, often being one of the first to arrive and the last to leave, traveling between sites to support students and instructors. His unwavering commitment makes him deserving of this recognition.
Arree Macon from Madison School and Community Recreation – The first thing that should pop up when you Google “outstanding youth worker,” is Mr. Arree, wearing an MSCR t-shirt, with crossed arms, a stern Madea face, looking over his glasses at you to remind you he’s from “I wish a kid woods” and, “you bettah get it togethah!” Even with all this, you could still see what a kind heart he has!
Arree started working for MSCR when he was in high school and, over the years, worked his way up to an assistant director and site director, where he now employs many of his former afterschool students. Arree is a true warm demander who holds children and staff to high standards while also showing them consistent love and care, because he believes in their potential. He is also funny, warm, and intentionally nurtures responsibility, leadership, and true community within his program. He is truly an outstanding youth worker.
Bailey Rees from Madison School and Community Recreation – Bailey Reis should be considered for the MOST Outstanding Youth Worker award this year. This coming school year will be her third at Schenk Elementary as the Director of After-School Programming with MSCR. Before she was a Site Director, she was on staff as a Leader in Training, she has been a Program Leader, an assistant director, and an interim director. She has done almost every position on the MSCR Elementary Team and her vast background knowledge and passion for kids show every day. Bailey is committed to making sure all of her students reach their potential. Whether it is partnering with the Literacy Coaches at Schenk to learn all about the science and best practices of reading for activities after school, or working with CC Teachers to provide Inclusion Services for students with disabilities, Bailey goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her kids. She is definitely a MOST Outstanding Youth Worker!
Jessica Zimmerman from Madison School and Community Recreation – Jessica is an exceptional candidate for Youth Worker of the Year. For over five years, she’s been an invaluable asset to MSCR programming, embodying unwavering dedication and profound commitment to the children. Jessica consistently goes above and beyond, making success a reality for everyone involved. What truly sets her apart is her proactive approach to lesson planning for the entire site, working alongside the director, and her knack for creating innovative, unique activities the kids absolutely love. Her passion, tireless efforts, and the genuine joy she brings to the program make a profound difference in the lives of children, making her an incredibly deserving recipient of this award.
Ashley Rounds from Goodman Community Center – Ashley is a highly versatile employee who has held a variety of roles in her 17 years at Goodman Community Center’s childcare program. Ashley has worked in administrative roles, direct service, afterschool clubs, and, most recently, stepped up as interim director of childcare programs during the spring of 2025. In her current Manager role, she is the first point of contact for families looking to enroll their elementary schooler in OST programming. She is a back-up teacher for all four of Goodman’s elementary classrooms, ready to step in when teachers help or youth need one-on-one support.
Ashley is uniquely skilled at supporting families to secure Wisconsin Shares tuition subsidy assistance, as well as other community resources. Because of her ability to quickly build relationships and rapport, families often feel most comfortable reaching out to her when their situation changes and they need help. She connects them with Goodman’s food pantry, heating/electricity assistance, mental health providers, and much more.
