DOVER – Gov. Jack Markell will present Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards to 19 individuals and groups of young people April 4 at the Dover Downs Hotel ballrooms.

More than 300 people are expected to join the governor in honoring the young volunteers for their outstanding service. The event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the ceremony starting at 7. Tickets are $20 per person and are available at https://volunteer.delaware.gov.

“These young people from across our state exemplify the power of one. They show us how one person definitely can make a difference in so many lives,” Gov. Markell said. “It is my privilege to honor young people for volunteering their talents to help strengthen our communities. It will be my pleasure to thank our youth for turning their passion for public service into action.”

The 2012 award recipients participated in such diverse activities as mentoring peers, organizing a sports camp, overseeing volunteers at the food bank, working to stop bullying, making greeting cards for troops and veterans, supporting a fire company and organizing fundraisers. They are representative of Delaware’s young people who are making a positive contribution to society, and inspiring others to do the same.

The recipients are:

New Castle County (individuals): Emily Bollinger, Lauren Camp, Matthew Coyle, Cassie Lukasiewicz, Evan Cox, Joe Tigani, Christopher Willis and Tasheem Wilson.

New Castle County (groups): Conrad Student Mentors, Delaware Military Academy Student Mentors, Leasure B.E.A.R.S. Care Club and Odessa Fire Company Junior Members, 2011-2012.

Kent County (individuals): Sonya Modi, Kyle Spillane and Weston Williams.

Sussex County (individuals): Abigail Brown and Austin Gardner-Bowler.

Sussex County (groups): Cape Henlopen High School JROTC and Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf, whose department oversees the State Office of Volunteerism, said the honorees also are gaining experience that she hopes will extend throughout their lives.

“The true measure of any life is how well we serve a good greater than our own,” Landgraf said. “As volunteers, these young people have proved their passion for serving fellow Delawareans. As their life journeys continue, their commitment to lifting up others will be absolutely essential in helping to solve the problems we face as a state and a nation.”

The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the state Department of Health and Social Services, the Division of State Service Centers, the State Office of Volunteerism, Serve Delaware, The Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service, and the Department of Education.

Eligible nominees include individuals or youth groups in which participants age 18 or younger are enrolled as a secondary school student during the 2011-2012 school year. Individuals and groups must be engaged in volunteer activities addressing community needs in Delaware, and must have volunteered at least 50 hours as an individual or 100 hours as a group.

For more information about the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards, go to https://volunteer.delaware.gov. To interview any of the winners or for more about the awards, contact Carrie Hart, Volunteer Service Administrator, at (302) 857-5006.

Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards Winners

New Castle – Individual

Emily Bollinger

Community Service

Nominator: Lisa DiMaio, President, Cab Calloway PTA

Last summer, Emily Bollinger partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware and started the “Little Chicks with Sticks” Summer Camp, a nonprofit summer field hockey camp. She met with directors of the New Castle Boys and Girls Clubs, found volunteers, and ran the camp.  Additionally, she received a national grant from the U.S. Field Hockey Association for more than $3,000 for equipment. She and 20 of her high school field hockey teammates taught 50 middle school girls last summer and they plan to hold the camp again in 2012.

Lauren Camp

Community Service

Nominator: Veronica Marine, Teacher and Advisor, Appoquinimink High School

Lauren Camp’s passion for helping others shines through in the many volunteer activities and service opportunities in which she participates. Lauren serves as President of the Interact Club for Appoquinimink High School, where she leads a group of 50 plus students in providing volunteer service to the community. She also mentors and assists the Down Syndrome Association at many events. This is in addition to her work with the United Way, Salvation Army, Miles for Melanoma, Easter Seals, and Paws for Life.

Matthew Coyle

Community Service

Nominator: Beth Mattey, Advisor, Mount Pleasant High School

During his years at Mount Pleasant High School, Matthew Coyle has volunteered extensively both in and outside the school. He is a leader in the Knights Against Tobacco club, Relay for Life event, and assists with the school’s choral and theatre productions. In the community, Matt volunteers his time with the Wilmington Drama League, is a leader within his Boy Scout troop and is involved in the state anti- tobacco organization, Kick Butts Generation (KBG).

Cassie Lukasiewicz

Community Service

Nominator: Sharon Bryant, School Counselor

Cassie Lukasiewicz has volunteered more than 1,000 hours at the Charter School of Wilmington (CSW) and in her community. Last summer, she received a Certificate of Excellence for outstanding service to Christiana Care in the Pathology Lab and out-patient pharmacy. As a CSW Science Ambassador, she worked with inner-city elementary school students to promote a more meaningful appreciation of math and science. For the past three years, Cassie has also been an active member of several service clubs including, Kick Butts Generation, Support Our Soldiers Club, and Project HOPE.

Evan Cox

Human Needs

Nominator: Shirin Skovronski, Counselor, Newark High School

As a camp counselor at Camp Rodney, Evan Cox is educating and assisting the next generation of Boy Scouts. For five weeks during the summer, Evan assisted in all aspects of Camp Rodney, from teaching survival skills to cleaning buildings. In addition to his work with the Boy Scouts, Evan volunteers with the Food Bank, his school band, the First Presbyterian Church of Newark as well as many more local organizations.

Joe Tigani

Community Service

Nominator: Charma Bell, Program Director, The First Tee of Delaware

For the past several years, Joe Tigani has assisted The First Tee organization of Delaware by conducting fundraisers and encouraging other teens to give back to the community through golf.  During his tenure with First Tee, Joe has organized a silent auction, “Pennies for Putts,” raising more than $16,000 for this worthy organization. All proceeds go directly to start programs in local schools, giving students an opportunity to learn about golf and the positive values associated with the game.

Christopher Willis

Human Needs

Nominator: Trevor Turner and Jason Begany, Coordinators for the Food Bank of Delaware

Every Monday through Friday, Christopher Willis volunteers at the Food Bank of Delaware as a lead volunteer. Chris assists the Volunteer Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of the volunteer room in the Food Bank’s Newark warehouse. While other high school students spend their afternoons in front of the TV or computer, Chris spends each afternoon alleviating hunger for the more than one in four Delawareans who depend on emergency food assistance.

Tasheem Wilson

Community Service

Nominator: Murat Kose, East Coast Director, Zakat Foundation of America

Tasheem Wilson’s volunteer activities range from teaching younger students, to raising funds for the disadvantaged, to organizing community events. As part of the Community Buddy Club, Tasheem meets with third-grade students at Richardson Elementary to explore new activities. As a Charter School of Wilmington Science Ambassador, she worked with inner-city school students to foster a love of science and math and serves on the Junior Council and the Cultural Awareness Club. Additionally, Tasheem has led and organized many projects through the Zakat Foundation Community Center.

Kent – Individual

Sonya Modi

Social Justice and Advocacy

Nominator: Julie McParlin, Teacher, Caesar Rodney High School

As President of the Blue/Gold Club, participant on the school’s Anti-Bullying Committee, and as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, Sonya Modi works tirelessly to promote inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance for all. For the Blue/Gold Club, Sonya has done everything from directing meetings to maintaining a Facebook page for members. Under her leadership, the number of club members has doubled and she led the implementation of new programs.

Kyle Spillane

Environment

Nominator: Colleen Holstein, Volunteer Coordinator, DuPont Nature Center

For the past three years, Kyle Spillane has welcomed visitors, assisted with educational programming and helped with the daily upkeep of the DuPont Nature Center and its live tanks. From assisting with housekeeping, to creating an exhibit for the Delaware State Fair, Kyle helps with everything at the Nature Center. In just the past year, Kyle has donated an impressive 470 hours to this worthy non-profit, as well as the Peach Blossom 4-H Club, and Harrington’s Ladies Auxiliary.

Weston Williams

Human Needs

Nominator: Karen Crouse, Leader, Harrington Sunshine 4-H Club.

Lake Forest Elementary student, Weston Williams knows how to give back.  In the last year, Weston has volunteered at the Felton United Methodist Food Pantry, the Kent Country SPCA, the Food Bank, and even organized volunteer projects. One such project was for the Food Bank.  While volunteering there, he noticed the lack of availability of peanut butter and was told no one had donated any. Feeling that kids who visited the Food Bank should have something they like to eat, Weston organized a local collection for peanut butter and jelly. Weston continued helping the Food Bank later when he volunteered with his mother for a mobile food giveaway.

Sussex – Individual

Abigail Brown

Education

Nominator: Janet Hickman, Principal, Lord Baltimore Elementary

For her Girl Scout Gold Award, Abigail Brown completed a project entitled: “Honoring and Appreciating out Veterans and Soldiers.” She visited all of the first- through third-grade students at Lord Baltimore Elementary and assisted them in making cards, which were sent to the Veterans Hospital in Wilmington and to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, Abigail worked with the Lord Baltimore Buddy Club, a group of special education and other students who put together care packages and banners expressing their thanks and gratitude to those serving our country.

Austin Gardner-Bowler

Community Service

Nominator: Paula Wood, Create 2Learn and 2Lead 4-H Leader

In just this past year, Austin Gardner-Bowler has volunteered with several community organizations in the Milford area. From the Boys Scouts, to the Avenue U.M. Church to the Carlisle Fire Department, Austin is working to make a difference.  In 2010, Austin was a lead person in getting the 4-H Club in his area started and established monthly outreach and service as a key component to the program. Last year, the 4-H Club, in conjunction with the educational co-op, collected more than 1,000 donations of food and items for the local community.

New Castle – Group

Conrad Student Mentors

Education

Nominator: Christina Saadeh, Coordinator, Richardson Park Elementary

Each week, 32 seniors from Conrad High School spend an hour mentoring at Richardson Park Elementary.  While with their student, the mentors help with homework, read, play a game, talk, and encourage their mentee. With an attendance average of 97 percent, these students show great dedication to their mentees and have made a positive difference in the lives of more than 50 Richardson Park students.

Delaware Military Academy Student Mentors

Education

Nominator: Christina Saadeh, Coordinator, Richardson Park Elementary

Each week, 85 seniors from Conrad High School spend an hour mentoring at Richardson Park Elementary. While with their student, the mentors help with homework, read, play a game, talk, and encourage their mentee. These students make up nearly 25 percent of all the mentors in the Red Clay Consolidated School District and have made a positive difference in the lives of more than 200 Richardson Park students.

Leasure B.E.A.R.S. Care Club

Community Service

Nominator: Timothy Werbrich, Facilitator, Care Club

The Leasure Building Empowerment, Awareness, and Responsibility through Service (B.E.A.R.S.) Care Club empowers students to become active in planning and executing service projects. The scope and range of B.E.A.R.S. activities are wide-ranging. From collecting food for the Basket Brigade, to making holiday cards for those at Governor Bacon Health Center, these students are giving back to their community.

Odessa Fire Company Junior Members, 2011-2012

Public Safety

Nominator: Patricia Crilley

The Odessa Fire Company’s (OFC) Junior Members is a group of youths ages 16-18 who provide support for firefighting and company activities. These volunteers are essential to the running of the firehouse, from maintaining the vehicles, to taking part in Emergency Response training. They help to keep things moving ahead. Collectively, these outstanding volunteers have given more than 300 hours to the service of the OFC and the surrounding community.

Sussex – Group

Cape Henlopen High School JROTC

Community Service

Nominator: Teresa Wilkinson

The Cape Henlopen High School Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Program (JROTC) is involved in a wide variety of service.  Each year, these students give more than 1,000 hours to better their community. For Beebe Medical Center, these students planned and conducted a large scale disaster preparedness exercise. During the holidays, the JROTC members collected more than $4,000 and dedicated approximately 200 hours ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. These are just two examples of how these outstanding students gave back to their community.

Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences

Community Service

Nominator: Anna Moshier, Sussex Academy of the Arts and Sciences Board Member

Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS) consists of 325 highly motivated sixth- seventh- and eighth-graders from all over Sussex County. Each month, these outstanding youths give of their time and talents to improve the lives of those in their community. In addition to the student’s individual service, each grade or team completes a service project as a component of their learning expedition. Examples of past projects include collecting change to purchase animals for families in poverty, to collecting food for the Seaford Community Food Closet.

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