On Tuesday, April 8th, The Presidential Volunteer Service Award Ceremony held. Below are the remarks made by Dr. Amanda Pierman, advisor to the program.
Good morning, everyone, and a very special welcome to our third Presidential Volunteer Service Award Ceremony. I’m Doctor Pierman, and I’m thrilled to acknowledge these incredible 22 students.
Today, we gather not only to celebrate achievement but to honor the spirit of service that strengthens the fabric of our community. The Presidential Volunteer Service Award has a rich history, dating back to 2003 when President George W. Bush established this program. Realizing the immense power young people hold for positive change, he created a way to recognize exceptional volunteer service by students. Earning this award is no small feat. It requires countless hours dedicated to a cause. The award is broken into categories based on age and number of hours completed. So, for example, the Teen category is for students aged 11 to 15, and they require 50, 75, and 100 plus hours to achieve bronze, silver, and gold, respectively. But when students turn 16, the hour requirement becomes significantly greater, with 110, 175 and 250 plus hours being the minimum for each medal. All hours must be achieved within 12 months – from January 1st to December 31st of one calendar year.
These students have stepped outside their comfort zones, tackled challenges, and, most importantly, made a real difference in the lives of others. Whether this was cleaning up local parks, mentoring younger students, coaching soccer, volunteering at animal shelters, creating community service projects for others, or sharing their talents behind the lens of a camera, their commitment shines brightly. And this was all done whilst juggling schoolwork, extracurricular activities, athletics, and personal lives, and yet, these students still prioritized giving back. This is a testament to their character, selflessness, and desire to make the world that little bit better. It is also inspiring and encouraging to everyone in this auditorium.
I will call up each student to the stage to see Mr. Jacobsen to receive their medal and a certificate signed by the President of the United States. Photographs will be taken, and then a group picture will occur at the conclusion of this morning’s assembly.
The following students have received a Bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Award:
Elena Gahan – 55 hours
Serena Brand – 60.5 hours
Ethan Cecil – 63 hours
Please know that the next two medals, although they are getting Bronze they were in the Young Adult category and so this took significantly more hours.
Jackson Hill – 105 hours
This next recipient should get a special mention that part of his hours were through obtaining the incredible honor of Eagle Scout by aged 16! Landon Ferguson- 129.5 hours
The following students have received the Silver Presidential Volunteer Service Award:
Our first recipient is in our middle school, but a round of applause for Claire McDermott for accumulating 75 hours of service and achieving silver.
Declan Zinkil – 80 hours (zinc-cul)
Kayla Travers – 84 hours
James Tepper – 175 hours – again this significant difference in hour is due to the change in age bracket from teen to young adult.
Alyssa Stump – 218 hours.
The rest of our honorees today have achieved the gold presidential volunteer service award with a minimum of over 100 hours as a teen, or over 250 hours are a young adult.
Jack Hansen – 101 hours
Bronson Levine – 101 hours
Olivia Hallinan – 102 hours
Lily Feiner – 102 hours
Our next recipient not only is receiving the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award with 120 hours, but has also recently completed the Gold Congressional Award – Chase Connor!
Isabella Pedroni Spinola – 120 hours
Abby Stengle – 137 hours
Brandon Owens – 156 hours
Aidan McCorkle – 160.5 hours
Isheanesu Makoni – 180.5 hours
Ava Seested – 251 hours
Bryce Seger – 257 hours
Sawyer LeFevre – 265 hours
Congratulations to all these recipients. Don’t forget that although you may have won gold today, this doesn’t mean that you need to stop giving back to the community.
During the Volunteer Service Award Ceremony, Dr. Amanda Pierman addressed the Benjamin community to highlight the students who have spent their off hours giving back, getting involved, and making a positive difference.
