Service Star Awards for 2000-01
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| 2001 Student Service Stars (click to enlarge) |
The Maryland Student Service Alliance's Annual Service Star Award recognizes students who have displayed exemplary attributes and dedication to serving others within their schools and communities. The following are the names of the 2001 Service Stars and a brief description highlighting why each was selected for this distinguished award. Many of these young people are exceptional students academically, and contribute to their schools through various clubs and sports, as well as to their communities through their religious affiliation, and to their families. Where all of their involvement is not detailed, we have tried to focus on their volunteer work with non-profits which has been above and beyond the service-learning requirement for graduation.
Allegany County
Zach Risoldi is a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician with the local Volunteer Rescure Squad. He has been interested in this type of service and work since he was very young. Over the past five years, Zach has logged nearly 1000 volunteer hours helping at medical emergencies and on in-station duty. He is currently in his second semester of paramedic training and aspires to become a flight paramedic or flight nurse on an emergency helicopter.
Roger Shields, Allegany High School, 12th Grade
Roger Shields is a member of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. As a Sea Cadet, he has been involved in spending time with elderly people over the holidays, working with the Kiwanis Club during the Heritage Days Festival, helping with community picnics, parades, car washes, and military training for youth. Roger has donated his time and money to build and maintain a web page for the Sea Cadets. Roger is considering a career and a life of service in the Navy.
Anne Arundel County
For the past three years, Noelle has organized the Red Cross Blood Drive at her school, has been instrumental in her school's canned food drives, and has interned at a local elementary school. She is highly involved in student government at the local, regional, and state level and demonstrates excellence in scholarship, character and leadership. Additionally, her vision and efforts were the force behind bringing a motivational speaker to her high school, who was responsible for saving the life of a fellow student.
Sara L. Wetz, South River High School, 12th Grade
Deeply involved in Youth RISE, a youth service group at South River High School, Sarah has chaired the Kids Helping Kids anti-hunger campaign and canned food drive for the past two years. Using her natural leadership ability to motivate others, she coordinates a corps of 12th graders who provide service throughout the school community in an innovative Community Based Credit program. She also works with the Naval Academy's Special Olympics as a "hugger" and volunteers at a local special education school. Her parents and school service-learning coordinator have been instrumental in encouraging Sarah's commitment to her community.
Baltimore City
Donta Davis is willing to help others no matter what the task may be. Donta loves to work with the Best Buddies Program at his school to enhance the lives of people with mental retardation through one-to-one friendships. He is the Best Buddies chapter president at Southern High School. He works with the youth group at his church and is committed to helping others. He is always ready to serve.
Judy Rugama, Patterson High School, 12th Grade
A native of Honduras and now a U.S. citizen, Judy exhibits her positive outlook on life as a leader of the Angels of Patterson, a student organization which provides both material aid and social support for children and families in the community. Judy participates in many other community activities by helping to organize others for the March of Dimes Walk at her school and for the House of Ruth.
Baltimore County
Lindsay volunteered as a camp counselor at Beth Tfiloh. She assisted children in learning to swim and in arts and crafts. As a result of her mother's model and her own involvement as a counselor in training, her primary career choice now is to work with kindergarten-aged students. She has learned a lot about children and how to interact with them. Through her work with youth, Lindsay has learned that serving others can help put your own problems into perspective.
Joseph Weiner, Pikesville High School, 12th Grade
Joe has a natural gift for relating well to people, young and old. His late grandfather inspired him through his example of helping Russian immigrants adjust to life in the United States. Joe enjoys volunteering at a local daycare and as an assistant soccer coach at the Pikesville Recreation Soccer League. Currently he is doing an internship at Sinai Hospital. He feels that through these activities he has learned patience and understanding.
Calvert County
An active leader in the Key Club and the United Way, Michael has organized talent pageants, fundraising activities, mentoring programs, and canned food drives for a number of organizations in his community. He is always searching for new ways of volunteering and of involving others in the life of the community.
Chelsea Lynn Stiegman, Patuxent High School, 10th Grade
Chelsea is an advocate of service to and for others and is active in many community activities. Chelsea served as coordinator for the Patuxent High School sponsored blood drives and participated in the "Book Buddies" teacher assistance program. She has served as a volunteer in the Calvert Memorial Hospital. Chelsea also participates in the "SMILE" clothing and food drives.
Caroline County
At 14, Christina created the after school program Big Buddies, designed to help elementary students with their homework, other skills, and to help boost the students' self-esteem and pride in their work. More than 20 middle and high school students, mentor and tutor approximately 75 students. Her goal is to expand this program to other schools to motivate and help more and more students in achieving their greatest potential.
Carroll County
Tiffany has volunteered with her family at the Fine Arts Building at the Montgomery County Fair, served as a camp counselor at Camp Hashawha, and assisted middle school teachers. Tiffany selects activities that give her a chance to work with young children as she hopes to be a teacher and loves working with children. Inspired by the commitment of adults she has seen volunteering, Tiffany tries to help out however she can.
Jennifer Haifley, Westminster High School, 12th Grade
Jennifer enjoys walking and raising money for groups such as the American Diabetes Association, the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy, and the Walk for Life. Much of her time as a volunteer has been through Northwest Hospital where she volunteered in the plant operations office. She has also been involved in projects to help the homeless and is a wonderful role model for students of all ages.
Cecil County
For the past four years, Jessica volunteered at a local elementary school. Through student council and county council, she also volunteered at the Ray of Hope Mission Center and helped organize a Safe's School Convention for all county students. Jessica's goal is to become a school teacher specializing in elementary education. She knows the importance of good role models for the children of this country and wants to give back to the community.
Shelby Lynn Trowbridge, Elkton High School, 12th Grade
Seeing the smiles on people's faces is what inspires Shelby to work at nursing homes and help with children at an after-school day care facility. She also volunteered at the local sheriff's department, participated in canned food drives, clothing drives, and mentored a foster child. Shelby has learned that if she can be instrumental in pushing others to improve themselves, she can push herself too. Her experience serving youth has contributed to her interest in pediatric surgery.
Charles County
Jessica volunteered at Camp Co-op during the summer of 1999. The very first day she was "hooked" because she could see how much the children with whom she was working needed a friend and a hug. Camp Co-op serves children ages 2-21 with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. Jessica could see beyond their profound disabilities to celebrate their gifts and their wonderful ability to show affection.
Pre-Ah Jamela Winters, LaPlata High School, 12th Grade
Pre-Ah has volunteered at service-learning fairs, organized "Share the Warmth of Christmas," a material drive for winter clothing, and participated in Youth RISE. At Thanksgiving, Pre-Ah provided food to people at shelters, the homeless, and senior citizens. She also helped at Lifestyles of Maryland Foundation and Christmas in April. Involvement in her church is very important to her, as is being active through coaching and mentoring at La Plata High School. Pre-Ah is so committed to serving others she intends to establish an after school program for youth and always be there to help her family.
Dorchester County
Michael Lloyd Jones, North Dorchester High School, 12th Grade
Michael is known at his school for his commitment and initiative in creating charitable programs, especially one to feed and support families with needs over the holidays. His commitment to helping those less fortunate is exceptional. Michael has developed the ability to go beyond school-sponsored and teacher-initiated events to seeing and responding to the needs around him on his own.
Frederick County
As an active member and current President of SLAB (Frederick County Service Learning Advisory Board), Hillary raises the quantity and quality of service-learning in her county. She has participated in numerous environmental service projects, has helped to rebuild two houses with Christmas-in-April, and tutors/mentors at risk youth three days a week. She also represents service-learning to civic organizations, PTA meetings, and at regional and national conferences. She plans to continue her devotion to others in college and as a career.
Amanda Leigh Turk, Urbana High School, 12th Grade
Amanda has been active through SLAB (Frederick County Service Learning Advisory Board) with environmental projects, with the Big Brother/Big Sisters Program, projects with the elderly, and Red Cross blood drives. She also tutors middle school students weekly. For her senior project Amanda created an education and prevention presentation advocating against rape and domestic abuse.
Garrett County
Jamie focuses his volunteer service on young people, having worked as a camp counselor with a work project in Nicaragua, and with theater as a way of involving youth. As a leader of his class, he believes strongly that he can make a difference. He knows that the one-on-one you have with a young student may be the one good thing that happens to that child all week. Jamie hopes to carry this spirit to West Virginia University after graduation.
Kathleen Marie Burke, Northern Garrett High School, 12th Grade
Kathleen has been involved in service for as long as she can remember. Active in 4-H, she has helped in nursing homes, cleaned up trash, put on community plays, and volunteered at the library, which has lead to her interest in studying library science. Her brother inspired her to become a Water Safety Instructor's Aide and to work with youth with autism, Downs Syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Her volunteer experience has impacted her sense of what to do with her life and has given her new perspectives.
Harford County
Sharon Huertas chooses to use the gift of her bi-lingual heritage to improve opportunities for Spanish speaking people new to Harford County. She coordinated, edited, and developed a guide in Spanish to help new residents. This guide shows them how to connect utilities, find financial and health care services, and provide information about schools, libraries, public transport, newspapers, childcare services and other community offerings. In doing so, she has seen and met a real need in local people's lives.
Ryan Allen Johns, Joppatowne High School, 9th Grade
As a ninth grader, Ryan has already organized a significant service project focusing on honoring American Veterans. This involved developing special presentations about the contributions veterans have made. He also worked with the local newspaper to promote the veterans' needs for recognition, and participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Veteran's Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Howard County
Catherine was the co-founder of SHARC (Students Heading the American Red Cross), a disaster services group for Howard County youth volunteers. The members of this group were trained in disaster services and are ready to aid people in need. Catherine also started the American Red Cross Club at River Hill and was selected as a youth delegate to the National American Red Cross Convention 2000. This year she collected winter clothing, is working on a blood drive, and coordinating her school's involvement in the School Chest Program.
Jessica Jinhee Lee, River Hill High School, 12th Grade
Jessica has volunteered at St. Agnes Hospital and initiated the Reach Out Program at her church through which her youth group regularly volunteers at Our Daily Bread, a soup kitchen. During Jessica's junior year, she coordinated the Student-to-Student Tutoring Program linking her high school's National Honor Society with a local elementary school. Jessica also coordinated the Student Opportunities for Assistance and Review Tutoring Program, which matches peer tutors to students needing help. Jessica plans to continue her involvement in public service throughout her life.
Kent County
Robert is a Maryland State Police Explorer through which he helps patrol many fairs, parades, and public events. He is also scuba dive certified in order to aid search and rescue efforts. Through his masonry and construction class, he has helped build at a variety of sites in the community. He has been active in fundraising efforts for the Leukemia Society and Relay for Life. He has deep appreciation for his many mentors.
JoAnne Donovan, Kent County High School, 12th Grade
Early service-learning experiences through her classes starting in the fifth grade helped to develop a pattern of service in JoAnne's life. In the tenth grade, she became involved in the Junior Rotary/ Interact Club whose mission is to serve the community and the world. She has fundraised and donated school supplies to local elementary and middle schools and collected stethoscopes and books to send to Sri Lanka and other underdeveloped countries. She has also aided blood drives and interned with the Sheriff's office. Her experiences have influenced her decision to help people through a career as a public servant.
Montgomery County
Kirsten works with the extended school year program for community-based special education supporting students in meeting their summer goals. This has led to being a camp counselor for children with epilepsy and as an aid in her school's autism program. These experiences helped Kristin develop her interest in special education. She loves interacting with kids and seeing their smiles when they get a feeling of accomplishment.
Matthew Hamilton, Walt Whitman High School, 12th Grade
Matthew is a motivated student who is passionate about learning, politics, and the environment. Initially inspired through his government class, he founded "Wild Things," an environmental club at his school, and is on the executive committee of the Montgomery County Sierra Club. In addition to lobbying for environmental issues, he was a research assistant for Friends of the Earth and a teaching assistant at the Auduban Naturalist Society. Matthew intends to work with an environmental organization involved in political action.
Prince George's County
For his entire high school career Daryl has served his community through his school's Leo Club. Specifically, he has assisted the Lions Club with fundraising activities, a walkathon for the homeless, local canned food drives, an adopt-a-highway cleanup, visiting and assisting teens with disabilities, and providing other support for Lions Club projects. His involvement with the Leo Club provides him the opportunity, confidence and desire to continue serving others as a member of the Lions Club for many years to come.
Labriska Tyson, Bladensburg High School, 12th Grade
Labriska Tyson's interest in service stems from her grandfather who owned a plantation in Granada. He taught her the importance of environmental responsibility, particularly with trees. Three years ago Labriska initiated the first paper recycling program at Bladensburg High. She is actively involved in many Anacostia Watershed programs including cleanups and water monitoring. Through the Interact Club she has developed beautification projects that included murals and landscaping. Labriska hopes to complete college and return to the community as a mentor to high school students.
Queen Anne's County
Darcie has been involved with Youth RISE for several years along with other projects including the Children's Christmas Party, the Empty Bowls Dinner, and helping to establish a chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD). She has also planned a countywide after school program and has represented her school at state and national SADD conferences. She plans to take her awareness and passion about social issues and people with special needs to her international studies focus at Western Maryland College.
Andrew Merrill, Queen Anne's County High School, 12th Grade
Active in Youth RISE since middle school, Andrew has supported Adopt-a Family, Children's Christmas Party, the Empty Bowls Dinner, and regular work with people who are homeless in Washington, D.C. Committed to addressing the issues of poverty, Going beyond direct and indirect service, Andrew is an active, vocal, advocate for people who struggle with economic injustice. He plans to continue his commitment to service at college.
St. Mary's County
Anne has tutored students in middle and high school mathematics, science, English, and other subjects for several years and has been a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. She has volunteered as a tutor both at her school and in the larger community. As president of her student government, Anne is in a unique position to model serving others and encourage her peers to do the same. She is also extensively involved with the youth at her church and says that service has helped her develop leadership skills, which in turn has placed her in a position to serve others even more.
Justin D. Norris, Leonardtown High School, 11th Grade
As the chairperson of Youth RISE and by serving on the community service committee for the St. Mary's Association of Student Councils, Justin has coordinated service projects for Christmas in April, canned food drives, and School Violence Prevention Awareness Week. He is also the student member of the Executive Board of Christmas in April of St. Mary's County and works actively to involve other youth in countywide efforts to bring better housing to low-income families.
Somerset County
Katy has been active in her community by volunteering at her church, in elementary schools, with environmental groups, and with artistic activities. Her mother was an influential model of giving and volunteering while she was growing up. Together they helped other people in their extended family and through organized programs. Katy especially enjoyed environmental service projects such as clean-ups, tree-plantings, and landscaping. This exposure to environmental issues has led to her interest in pursuing biology and environmental science next year at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Emily Elizabeth Smith, Washington High School, 12th Grade
Emily's has volunteered extensively at local nursing homes where she loves to visit the elderly residents and do activities with them which brighten their days. In addition, she has put in a lot of time volunteering at Beth Israel Decononess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Emily is in the second year of the Health Occupations Program and has gained valuable experience which she will bring to her future work in this field through these opportunties to serve.
Talbot County
Since the 6th grade, Jennifer has volunteered as a junior counselor for Pickering Creek's Eco Camp where she worked with younger children to instruct them to help the environment. Her work contributes to saving the Chesapeake Bay. She was recently honored by Seroptimists International for her work at the camp. She has also contributed to environmental conservation through the Appalachia Service Project. She plans to continue her invaluable efforts to contribute positively to our common ecology.
John Christopher Morris, Easton High School, 12th Grade
An active 4-H member, John has participated in Club projects both with the elderly and with young people. He organizes a number of special events and serves as a Junior Leader for the 4-H. He is a volunteer firefighter in a community where there is no paid fire fighting force. He has also helped with banquets, fairs, and fundraisers for the fire company. John simply likes to help others. He hopes to pursue a career in culinary arts and aspires to own his own restaurant.
Washington County
Helping people as a student council leader at both the county and state level, Kristin also coordinated a food drive for the county and has been an active hospital volunteer, camp leader, and church youth group leader. Her love of ice skating led her to organize groups of at-risk children to play ice hockey. She looks forward to continuing to give to others through the medical profession in the future.
Elizabeth Shannon Smith, Boonsboro High School, 12th Grade
Shannon finds many opportunities to serve others through church, school, and community programs such as food drives, adopt-a-senior citizen programs, singing and visiting in nursing homes, and serving food at the Cold Weather Shelter. She recognizes the contagious element of serving when it is done with peers collaboratively. She also recognizes that her ability to serve is enhanced by the model of others.
Wicomico County
Charles has volunteered more than 1,000 hours of service during his high school tenure. He has served as vice-president of Students Organized for Service (SOS) for two years and given of this innate fine arts talents to entertain others with his voice and acting roles. He is a role mole for all youth having worked for so many causes: the American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy Assoication, Holly Center, Salvation Army, March of Dimes, Festival of Trees, and the Senior Citizens' Prom.
Skye M. Young, James M. Bennett High School, 12th Grade
Skye Young is passionate about serving others and solving community problems. As chair of the James M. Bennett Memorial Garden service project, she has been an inspirational catalyst in having more than 200 people complete a 6000 square foot picturesque sanctuary honoring the memory and celebrating the lives of three classmates and fallen youth everywhere. A natural leader, she also serves as president of SESASC (Southern Eastern Shore Association of Student Councils) and is an active member of MASC (Maryland Association of Student Councils).
Worcester County
Amber serves as a role model mentoring at Buckingham Elementary School and Stephen Decatur Middle School. She regularly volunteers after school and has served as a camp counselor for young people during the summer. She is a leader of the county chapter of the American Diabetes Association and has organized both fund-raising activities and public awareness campaigns for this cause. After graduation, Amber will carry this interest into her professional life as she pursues a career as a pediatric nurse.
Lauren Julie Scher, Pocomke High School, 11th Grade
Since middle school Lauren has taken an active role in her community by volunteering with numerous agencies and projects. She is a leader who works to inspire others to get involved themselves. In 1998 her contributions were recognized with the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. She was on the board of the State Youth Commission for Worcester County for Celebration 2000, and now serves on the boards of the local YMCA and the Worcester County Alcohol and Drug Task Force. Lauren hopes to inspire others to volunteer and continue do even more to help others.