BUCKHANNON – Martial arts teacher Larry Carter has kicked it up a notch when it comes to his devotion to the youth of the community.

In fact, the City of Buckhannon on Thursday deemed Carter the 2019 Service to Youth Champion during a ceremony at 3 p.m., making him the 14th recipient of the honor.

Mayor David McCauley said the Stockert Youth and Community Center’s board of directors chose Carter for the honor because of his dedication to the center.

“Larry Carter, who has long served as the martial arts coordinator for SYCC as Sensei Carter, helped coordinate the very first and highly successful SYCC elimination dinner during the Fall of 2018, played the perfect ‘Dracula’ during the SYCC Haunted House during Halloween 2018, regularly attends SYCC Board meetings offering thoughtful advice and insight, and supports the SYCC capital campaign,” McCauley said.

Larry Carter’s name will be added to the bench in front of the Stockert Youth and Community Center, along with all the past recipients.