At age 15, Nicholas Duclos (now 19) left his abusive home environment in Holyoke, Massachusetts to pursue his passion to work with other young people to help shape their thoughts and actions towards the fight against drug and alcohol abuse. For the past two years, Duclos has been a trainer for CADCA’'s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) National Youth Leadership Initiative (NYLI) , tirelessly working toward educating his peers as well as families in need of support and guidance.

He shared his story from the podium, along with Kayla Scarbrough-Bell, who is a senior at Reading High School, in Reading, Pennsylvania, a community plagued by poverty, unemployment, violence and drugs.

After four students in the district became fatal victims of youth-on-youth gun violence in four separate incidents, Kayla led a Peace Rally —attended by more than 500 students— on the steps of her high school.

She is now Vice President of the newly formed youth coalition, Project Peace.

After the moving stories from Nicholas and Kayla, The Humanitarian of the Year award was given to Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, who is committed to improving the lives of young people through education, leadership and career development. When he began his speech, he said that his childhood was very similar to Nicholas’. He too left home at age 15 in search of a more productive lifestyle, and the knowledge that he wanted to be an educator and an advocate who would improve the lives of young people.

General Arthur T. Dean, Chairman and CEO of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America said, "together we are transforming communities into safe, healthy places for kids, families and businesses to thrive. We couldn't do that without the support of our honorees."

Frances Hesselbein was also honored at the Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner as the 2011 Champion for Drug-Free Kids. Frances' own response to the evening was one of intense appreciation. "I am deeply touched, deeply moved at one of the highest honors I could receive- it's all about serving children." Reflecting on Peter Drucker's assessment of "a society that pretends to care about its children and does not," Frances explains that "being recognized as a Champion for children touched my heart because in the end, it is this generation that may save the society."

Members of the Leader to Leader staff joined Frances Hesselbein, as well as Board of Governors Vice Chairman, William Conway, and Mr. and Mrs. Eric Shinseki.