MARYSVILLE — Preston Dwoskin, a 20-year-old Marysville resident with severe hearing and developmental disabilities, recently received another award in recognition of his community service.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring named Dwoskin a Volunteer of the Month for the city for his community involvement and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities, including the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and a few months later, while Dwoskin was preparing to emcee the Marysville Family YMCA’s 360 Break Dancing Competition on June 23, he learned that he’d also been named the Community Advocate of the Year by the Marysville Special Education PTSA.

Barbara O’Kelley, founder of the Marysville Special Education PTSA, nominated Dwoskin for the award, while Jessie Atkins, president of the MSEPTSA, praised Dwoskin as a young man whose ability to clearly communicate and persuade people of his messages has given him a bright future.

Dwoskin has been involved in the Marysville Strawberry Festival and the Little League Strawberry Tournament that takes place at the same time. He also co-founded and currently serves as president of the Marysville Aktion Club, which is sponsored by the Marysville Kiwanis Club and seeks to provide adult citizens living with disabilities the opportunities to develop initiative and leadership, serve their community, be integrated into society, and demonstrate the dignity and value of citizens living with disabilities.

“I’m always happy to volunteer within the city and pitch in however I’m needed,” said Dwoskin, who takes pride in helping to feed the homeless, as well as coaching and refereeing various youth sports.

Dwoskin has also become the youngest person to complete the Arc of Snohomish County’s nine-month leadership training program, and could even enroll in an advanced leadership program which would take him to visit state legislators in Olympia next year.

“I’m very happy to have achieved that major milestone,” said Dwoskin, who’s already an old hand at traveling to Olympia through the Arc of Snohomish County to discuss how proposed budgets could impact people with disabilities.

Dwoskin’s interest in politics was piqued further by his efforts on behalf of Nehring’s re-election campaign last year, but regardless of how well-connected they might be to the political process or any elected officials, Dwoskin urged all citizens to make their voices heard.

“Call your city leaders on a regular basis,” Dwoskin said. “However you do it, get your foot in the door. If you don’t get to know your city and its leaders, you’re not going to get anywhere.”