Students honored for volunteer service
Twenty-three Lenoir-Rhyne students have received the President's Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.

Established in 2003, the award is presented annually to individuals and groups who have met volunteer requirements. Lenoir-Rhyne is a certifying agency that presents the award.

Students qualified for one of three levels based on the number of hours they volunteered. Gold awards were presented to students with 250 hours of volunteer service. Silver awards went to students volunteering 175-249 hours. Bronze awards were presented to those volunteering 100-174 hours.

The President's Volunteer Service Award is not a scholarship program. However, all the students who received this award were also participants in the NC ACTS! program that awards a $1,000 education award for 300 hours of community service.

Students receiving the Gold President's Volunteer Service Award are Amanda Hurt, Crystal Phillippie, Dawn Priest, Gerren Brittian, Jackie Bailey, Jefferson Wetherington, John Pugh, Julie Dodds, Karen Reames, Lanica Williams, Leonard Geddes, Lesley Cross, Lori Conklin and Robbin Isenhour.

Those receiving the Silver Award are Janey Richards, Jenna Wooten, Lauren Flack and Nekeba Summers. Those receiving the Bronze Award are Bryce Ciancio, Courtney Saner, Hannah Pierce, Matthew Peterson and Stephanie Gardiner.

The Lenoir-Rhyne students participated in various locations in the local community. Through the School of Education, students served as student teachers in local schools. Through Athletic Training, students assisted with injury prevention, education, treatment and rehabilitation of local students and athletes. Through the Occupational Therapy major, students worked in area hospitals to provide rehabilitation assistance to patients. Students in the Counseling program provided therapeutic services to local residents. Other students volunteered at Sweetwater Elementary School's SweetHEART tutoring program, Habitat for Humanity and various other service projects.

The award is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the contributions volunteers are making to our nation. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations, and community volunteering.

For more information about how to qualify for the PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.


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