ICMA's Award for Local Government Education recognizes a local government professional, or an individual whose current primary vocation is academic, who has enhanced the understanding of local governmnet for primary and secondary school students. In 2002, ICMA presented the award to Anthony H. Griffin, county executive of Fairfax County, Virginia. This article describes a county-school district partnership to develop "Closest to the People," a program designed to educate young people about their local government, and the Youth Leadership Program, which takes this education from the classroom to county workplaces and the community and offers internship opportunities. Learn more about ICMA's Annual Awards program.