FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mar 20, 2009

Nashville, Tenn. -- Outstanding service-learning leaders were honored last night with Spirit of Service Awards at the National Service Learning Conference.

The awards were presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the country’s largest supporter of service-learning through its Learn and Serve America program. The Spirit of Service Awards pay tribute to the most outstanding participants in the Corporation’s Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps, and Senior Corps programs.

“We know that students who become involved in their communities through organized service-learning activities experience a range of benefits, from improved academic achievement to the development of a lifelong ethic of civic involvement,” said Nicola Goren, Acting CEO of the Corporation. “We congratulate these awardees for their leadership and dedication to service-learning. By shining a spotlight on these service-learning leaders, we hope to inspire more schools and universities to embrace this powerful and proven teaching method.”

The awardees are:

 

Outstanding service-learning leaders were honored on March 19, 2009, with Spirit of Service Awards at the National Service Learning Conference. Adam Handy, a senior at Belfry High School in Pike County, Kentucky, who serves as president of the Pike County Youth Leadership Council. Under his leadership, the council has addressed numerous issues, including convincing the City of Pikeville to make all public areas smoke-free, in recognition of Kentucky’s status as leading all states in deaths from tobacco use. Student: Adam Handy, a senior at Belfry High School in Pike County, Kentucky, who serves as president of the Pike County Youth Leadership Council. Under his leadership, the council has addressed numerous issues, including convincing the City of Pikeville to make all public areas smoke-free, in recognition of Kentucky’s status as leading all states in deaths from tobacco use.
Outstanding service-learning leaders were honored on March 19, 2009, with Spirit of Service Awards at the National Service Learning Conference. Dawn Davis, an English Language Learner teacher at Moriarty Elementary School in Norwich, Connecticut, who established a school-community garden that supplies fresh vegetables to local charities and food pantries while offering lessons in sciences, health and nutrition, math and measurement skills.Educator: Dawn Davis, an English Language Learner teacher at Moriarty Elementary School in Norwich, Connecticut, who established a school-community garden that supplies fresh vegetables to local charities and food pantries while offering lessons in sciences, health and nutrition, math and measurement skills.
Outstanding service-learning leaders were honored on March 19, 2009, with Spirit of Service Awards at the National Service Learning Conference. The second grade class at Pittsburgh Elementary School, Pittsburg, Texas, who have established and supported scholarships, made public service announcements, and spoken to groups of up to 500 people on numerous education issues. The second graders prove that it is never too early to start serving.Program: The second grade class at Pittsburgh Elementary School, Pittsburg, Texas, who have established and supported scholarships, made public service announcements, and spoken to groups of up to 500 people on numerous education issues. The second graders prove that it is never too early to start serving.

 

The accomplishments of the awardees were highlighted in a six-minute video, produced with the support of State Farm Insurance. “We are delighted to honor these service-learning leaders, who demonstrate every day that service-learning is making a difference in communities across our country,” said Kathy Payne, senior director of Education and Leadership at State Farm Insurance.

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.