Jefferson Awards earned by local student and groups
Students from two local schools have received Jefferson Awards for Public Service in recognition of their outstanding community service projects as part of the Youth Service Challenge.
Lewes Mayor and City Council honored the students and presented awards at the panel’s May 21 meeting at City Hall.
Mayor Jim Ford enthusiastically supported this year’s effort. “This experience will be invaluable to our youth as they face challenges of our future. Exhibiting leadership roles as well as providing community service will prepare our next generation to address the demands of the ever-changing world. I applaud everyone affiliated with the program and wish you continued success,” Ford said.
Youth Service Challenge works with mayors and youth-focused organizations across the country to highlight student-led community service initiatives and engage one million students in youth-led service activities over the next five years.
The challenge involves students from kindergarten through college, focusing on three issues: ending hunger, environmental conservation, and encouraging health and wellness.
A fourth category, Bring Your Own Service Project, allows students who are passionate about a different service area to participate. This year, more than 4,900 projects from nearly every state were submitted.
Nationally renowned public service leader Sam Beard, former Ohio Sen. Robert Taft and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis cofounded The Jefferson Awards in 1972.
Students interested in participating in the program can go to www.youthservicechallenge.org for more information.
Local award winners are:
McKenzie Betts
Many writers spend decades working to see their name on the cover of a published book. McKenzie Betts accomplished it when she was 9 years old. Her children’s book, "Blue Bear Finds A Rainbow," confronts the issue of self-esteem and helps children understand and love who they are.
When McKenzie learned Lilly Barnett of Harbeson was injured in a car accident, she wanted to do all she could to help the family with Lilly’s medical expenses.
McKenzie, who is now 10, wrote the book before Lilly’s accident. McKenzie is a Milford School District student while Lilly goes to school in the Cape Henlopen School District. The girls didn’t know one another. McKenzie decided to sell the book and donate 10 percent of the money raised to Lilly. McKenzie began participating in local book signings at schools and stores.
Having published her first book at a young age, McKenzie is looking forward to a lifetime of helping children. She is working on a second childrens’ book featuring Yellow Bear, who talks about the experience of making new friends.
In her free time, McKenzie plays and works at school and at home. The daughter of Dianne and Bobby Betts, McKenzie wants to become a teacher when she grows up.
Cape Henlopen High School Students in Action Team
In October 2011, Cape Henlopen High School joined the Jefferson Awards Students in Action program. Energized and motivated by faculty sponsors and guidance counselors Greg Berman and Joel Simon, the team of 16 student leaders made remarkable first-year strides.
During the course of the year, five students received leadership awards and attended the Fall Leadership Conference at the University of Delaware.
The team raised more than $300 for muscular dystrophy and on May 9, it held the school’s first blood drive in more than five years. A record number of student volunteers assisted with the drive.
The team also held a shoe drive to benefit the Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation. Shoes donated to the Lewes-based organization are sold to vendors in major metropolitan areas who in turn create jobs and help improve the quality of life of people in cities.
The team also assisted the City of Lewes canned food drive in April on Global Youth Service Day.
This year, the program engaged more students in volunteer events than last year.
Their efforts and achievements earned this year’s Jefferson Awards Bronze Banner and the award for Best New School for 2012 at the Delaware Regional Competition March 17 at the University of Delaware.
Cape Henlopen High School Green Club
The Green Club brought together 22 students whose overall mission was to reduce the negative impact humans have on the environment.
The club placed blue bins in the cafeteria for students to deposit paper, cardboard, plastic and trash. During January, members created trayless Tuesday to reduce the amount of polystyrene used in school. In February, a water-bottle drive collected more than 900 plastic bottles, and in March, they spread awareness about recycling.
The Green Club, made up of janitorial staff, students and faculty, recycled more than an estimated 4,400 pounds of material.
Cape Henlopen High School Army JROTC Vikings Battalion
Cape’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps has been actively involved in the community. The program provides an opportunity for students to learn leadership skills and to become leaders. The program teaches patriotism and the value of community service by practicing military traditions and volunteering in the community. This year the battalion assisted at the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas bell-ringing campaign, American Legion Post 28 Veterans Day Ceremony, and American Legion Post 5 annual spring cleanup; visited senior citizens in Millsboro rehabilitation homes; and assisted with the Korean War Veterans Association Fundraising Breakfast at Applebee’s.
The group also participated in the Cape Henlopen State Park Cleanup and helped with the Seashore Striders 25K Marathon.
