At an early age, Benito Omar Perez recognized his life?s purpose was to serve others, attributing his dedication for service to his Eagle Scouts badge.  ?The badge is a symbol of my values, character and perseverance.  Inspiration from my badge has allowed me to be a trustworthy, neighborly, outgoing, and dedicated individual,? he said.  Of Puerto Rican descent, Benito is the 2003 National Hispanic Heritage Youth Award winner for Leadership and Community Service, sponsored by Dr Pepper.  He attended Great Mills High School in Great Mills, MD, graduated with a perfect GPA. Benito volunteered as a student teacher at St. Nicholas Parish, and was involved in his school?s Civics Service Learning Club.  He is a strong believer in the importance of education, and served as a student member of the St. Mary?s County Board of Education, where he worked on redistricting, teacher negotiations, and budgeting.  Benito has been recognized by such programs as the Hugh O?Brian Youth Ambassadors, the National Young Leaders, and the Rotary Youth Leaders for his academic achievements.  He was also named a Maryland Distinguished Scholar.  His role model is his mother, a single parent who raised three children.  ?She has the patience and diligence to raise all her children and make sure that they got an education,? he said.  In 2004, Benito was chosen to be a Hispanic College Fund Scholar. He attends University of Maryland College Park where he is studying for a Bachelors/Masters in Sociology and Public Policy with a minor in Latin American Studies and Honor Citation for a May 2006 graduation.