Washington Township Announces Community Service Nominees

Three students from Centerville High School have been nominated for the 2007 Washington Township Community Service Award.

The service award, now in its fifth year, was established by the Washington Township Board of Trustees to draw attention to the importance of public service and to recognize students who express their values through exemplary service to their community. Nominations and final selection are made by advisors for Centerville High School’s service organizations which include Key Club, Octagon Club, Interact Club and the National Honor Society. Nominees for 2007 are:

Jasmine Hamilton , the National Honor Society nominee, served as president of the honorary during her senior year. Her activities have included organizing tutoring for disadvantaged youth and the Homeless Meal Project for the Other Place. Her favorite volunteer service has been with the National Conference for Community Injustice. She is the daughter of ReAnnita and Paul Latham, PO Box 41051.

Jacqueline Mote , who was nominated by the Octagon Club, served as treasurer during her senior year and in the past has held the office of vice president. Her favorite service project every year for the past four years is the Haunted Trail presented by the Centerville-Washington Park District. She is the daughter of Barbara and John Powell of 9411 David Andrew Way.

Melissa Sweeterman , the Key Club nominee, served as Key Club president during her senior year and has taken part in all of the club’s service activities for the last three years. Melissa’s favorite project has been to work with children on the Special Olympics bowling team. She is the daughter of Mark and Nancy Sweeterman of 5367 Red Coach Rd.

The Community Service Award will be given this spring to the nominee who, through sustained effort, best exemplifies a spirit of community service. The student’s activities may have focused on the local, national or international community.

“This is a way for the township to encourage an ethic of community service. Service is an important aspect of citizenship and volunteers are essential if we are to create and maintain strong, vibrant communities,” said Terry L. Blair, president of the Washington Township Board of Trustees.

“When students are generous with their time, they set an example for their peers. Fostering an ethic of voluntarism with this generation is important because, as we all know, the future of our communities will soon be in their hands,” Blair said.

Teresa Lonsbury, advisor for the National Honor Society, coordinates the award with Washington Township. Other advisors participating are Carrie Herman, Key Club (Kiwanis); Kate Srp, Interact Club (Rotary); and Megan LaSota, Octagon Club (Optimists).

Nominees and winners of the Community Service Award frequently do extremely well in their studies. However, unlike other awards for high school students, scholastic achievement is not a key factor, Blair said. “We want to stress that every person excels when they are of service to their community.”