The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has announced the Division 3 Young Marine of the Year, Kollin Leo Draper, 17, of Simpsonville, South Carolina. He is a member of the Upstate Young Marines located in Greenville, South Carolina. A junior at Upstate Homeschool Co-Op and Greenville Technical College, Draper will represent Division 3 in competition with five other division winners for the title of National Young Marine of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by the Young Marines organization nationally.

Being named the top Young Marine in Division 3, Draper will travel to other units throughout the division to lead, motivate, and serve as a role model for other Young Marines in the program over the course of a year. Division 3 consists of South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Draper joined the Young Marines at age 12, four years ago, where he currently holds the rank of YM/SgtMaj. Being named Division Young Marine of the Year is an accomplishment Draper wants to share.

“Many Young Marines have set an excellent example for me to follow, and I want to continue the legacy of passing the information and knowledge that I have received down to other Young Marines,” Draper said. “It has been a dream of mine since I began Young Marines, to become Division Young Marine of the Year.

His Young Marine achievements include the Iron Mike Award at Junior Leadership School in Tennessee (PFT score 500); Battalion Young Marine of the Year; Regimental Young Marine of the Year; Top Ten at Advanced Leadership School in Oregon (6th). His community involvement and awards include Teen of the Year 2022, Elks Lodge; Nominee in the HSLDA Service Award Program; Baseball- Upstate Eagles 2022 Homerun King; Greenville Hurricanes Basketball MVP and Most Improved.

“A proven leader, Draper is an exemplary Young Marine,” said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. "His Young Marine and community accomplishments are outstanding. At the young age of 17, he has already received numerous accolades from his division. Like each of our six division winners, Draper shows great leadership qualities and demonstrates a sincere reverence to veterans. A foundation of the Young Marines program, each of these division winners practice a healthy drug-free lifestyle.” 

After high school, Draper plans to complete his welding certifications at Greenville Technical College. His goal is to utilize his welding skills to travel. He has a particular interest in pursuing underwater welding, possibly in the U.S. military. 

“The Young Marines has shown me how to lead from the front and from the rear, how to speak in public and how to help others in our community,” said Draper. “The organization has had a huge impact on me and working toward my life goals. The Young Marine obligation has helped me to set an example for others and boundaries for myself at the same time.”

Draper is the son of Kenneth Leo Draper, Jr., former member of the USMC and Connie Draper, Adult Volunteer with Young Marines.

Draper to compete for National Young Marine of the Year 

The Young Marines organization is divided into six divisions across the United States. Each Division Young Marine of the Year must meet vigorous requirements such as graduating from Advanced Leadership School at the Young Marines’ National Leadership Academy, maintaining high academic achievement in school, and maintaining high standards of physical fitness.

About the Young Marines 

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 235 units with 5,700 youth and 2,100 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and affiliates in a host of other countries. 

For more information, visit the official website at: https://youngmarines.org.●