Eleven Nativity School students received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award on June 9 for their outstanding work in community service projects. The award is presented to individuals age 5 and up who did more than 26 service hours. Winners achieved bronze, silver, and gold awards, depending on their number of service hours, according to a news release.
The recipients are Casimir O., 3rd grade, Bronze (27 hours); Brooke Lynn A., 6th grade, Bronze (56.5 hours); Dorothy C., 6th grade, Bronze (55.5 hours); Joshua C., 6th grade, Bronze (57.5 hours); Lyla D., 6th grade, Silver (77 hours); Olivia L., 6th grade, Bronze (57 hours); Cece M., 6th grade, Bronze (50 hours); Macario O., 6th grade, Bronze (52.5 hours) (not in photo); Jack P., 7th grade, Bronze (50 hours); Christian C., 8th grade, Gold (100 hours); Caroline M., 8th grade, Gold (107 hours).
Claudia Martinez, middle school teacher and the school service director, said of the event in the news release, “These students have shown a remarkable ability to seek ways to help others, whether by volunteering at local nonprofits or organizing their own community projects. In a world that often emphasizes individualism, their efforts to foster empathy and within their community are commendable and inspiring. Their consistent dedication to helping others and their positive influence on peers set a strong example, and it will be exciting to see how they continue to develop their leadership skills in the future.
Dorothy Corrao, 6th grade, said in the news release, “The best thing about service is the feeling you get when you make the world better, it doesn’t matter how you do it, you are chipping in to make life better for someone or something else and that makes me feel proud.”
Students served at several nonprofit organizations in the community from Get on the Bus, Father Joe’s Villages, San Diego Food Bank, The Frosty’s, San Pasqual Academy, Casa de Los Pobres, Bridge of Hope, Birthline, Chickadee Farm, San Elijo Lagoon and Nature Center among many more. Visit https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/ to learn more about President’s Volunteer Service Award.
