Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today announced the recipients of the 2005 Van Hollen Public Service Award for outstanding community service.
Van Hollen established the congressional public service award program to recognize graduating students in area high and middle schools for their contributions to their school and to their community. Each participating school in Maryland’s Eighth Congressional District was invited to select an outstanding student for this special recognition. The award recognizes Van Hollen’s strong belief in the importance of community involvement and his desire to recognize individuals who are dedicated to serving others.
The following is a list of recipients.
SPRINGBROOK H.S.
Connie Hodgson was selected for being an exceptional leader, scholar, and athlete at Springbrook. She was a captain of the State Champion Lacrosse Team and she is completing her International Baccalaureate studies. She demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community involvement and action by amassing more than 760 hours of service as a math tutor to both middle and high school students.
WATKINS MILL H.S.
Priscilla Adarkwa was selected for being a leader in organizing community service activities at Watkins Mills High School. In addition to her service as a committee chair on the Renaissance Club, she volunteers at local organizations such as Smoky Glen Farm and the Salvation Army. During her high school career, Priscilla has given over 750 hours of her time to her community.
WHEATON H.S.
Wheaton High School student Jin Jie (Julie) Xue was selected for her tireless volunteerism and service to the community. In addition to her volunteer activities, Julie is involved in athletics (she is the co-captain and #1 singles player on the tennis team) and student government. She is currently a member of the Youth Advisory Committee, a county-wide group that plans and promotes activities for youth in Montgomery County.
POOLESVILLE H.S.
Megan Reamer has maintained an outstanding grade point average while performing over 800 student service learning hours. She has been a member of Poolesville’s Pom Pon squad for three years. She is a Girl Scout, a Maryland Science Center Volunteer, a Girls for Planet Earth member, and a research intern at Hood College. Megan has demonstrated her leadership both in school and in her community and continues to excel both inside and outside the classroom.
ROCKVILLE H.S.
Daniel Chou amassed more than 600 documented hours of community service and has been a leader within his school and his larger community. In school, he has excelled in a rigorous academic program while serving as Editor-in-Chief of The Rampage, being a leader in the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, and tutoring other students. Outside of school, he has been a youth leader in his church and participated in events to raise funds and awareness of local and world hunger.
WALTER JOHNSON H.S.
Julie M. Feldman was selected for her remarkable ability to organize and motivate people and groups. Julie united the Walter Johnson staff, administration and several Montgomery County services and agencies to form the “Every Fifteen Minutes” Program designed to prevent teen drunk driving
GAITHERSBURG H.S.
Neha Singhal was awarded the Van Hollen Public Service Award for her exemplary leadership in and out of the classroom. In addition to being a dedicated scholar, Neha served as President of the International Club. During her term, she organized a campaign to raise funds to assist victims affected by the tsunami in South Asia. Her efforts were in conjunction with Doctors Without Borders, a non-profit organization.
WOOTTON H.S.
Angela Fan was selected for her outstanding commitment to preventing and treating cancer. Angela, who has always excelled at science, has used her skills to contribute to this important area of science. As one of only twenty participants in the prestigious Howard Hughes/ NIH internship program, she has dedicated countless hours to cancer research. She also volunteers her time at the oncology department of her local hospital. Angela hopes to attend medical school and to one day help cure breast cancer.
COL. ZADOK MAGRUDER H.S.
Veronica Ros has maintained an excellent GPA while performing over 770 student service learning hours. She has learned to balance the requirements of studying and service to others and continues to demonstrate leadership both in school and in her community.
JOHN F. KENNEDY H.S.
Rahel Yohannes has served more than 775 community service hours. She has been involved in programs that directly assist other students both as a mentor and a tutor and as an active participant with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). In addition, she has regularly assisted teachers with classroom preparations. Outside of school, Rahel has volunteered at retirement homes and worked on HIV/AIDS training and cross cultural programs with teens elsewhere in the United States and in South Africa.
QUINCE ORCHARD H.S.
Katherine Purdy has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community involvement and action. While maintaining an outstanding grade point average and participating in cross country, basketball and track, Katie logged in over 900 service learning hours. As a recognized leader in the school, Katie has shown a commitment to working with and helping others.
BETHESDA CHEVY CHASE H.S.
Samuel “Matt” McDonald has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community involvement and action. Inspired by the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda and his own personal experience, Matt founded Bethesda Students Care, a student group dedicated to helping children in homeless shelters. Together with his peers, Matt raised over $1000 dollars to fund a trip to the mall for twelve underprivileged youth to choose gifts of their choice. Matt has a spirit for giving and leads by example in many walks of life. Matt visited Congressman Van Hollen’s office last year in conjunction with his new community service endeavor.
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL H.S.
Eliza Farrell has been involved in numerous community activities, including serving as Lector Coordinator of the Campus Ministry, participating in International Night at various elementary schools, volunteering with a local Swim Buddies Program, visiting residences of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, participating in the Girl Scouts of America and organizing a drive to support low-income children who want to play for Montgomery Soccer.
JAMES HUBERT BLAKE H.S.
Kyle J. Wannen has been a leader in his school community. As Field Commander and Drum Major of the Marching Band and member of the Symphonic and Jazz Bands, Kyle has performed at numerous events throughout the community and has led band members both on and off the field— in their efforts for musical excellence and with fundraisers and band trips. Kyle was managing sports editor on the Blake Beat, a Blake Ambassador for four years, a member of the varsity baseball and swim teams, a leading member of the National Honor Society, a volunteer with the Booster Club and a mentor to younger students. Kyle gives his heart to his school and community by working with and serving others
GEORGETOWN PREP
Ryan Lopez has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community involvement and action. As a dedicated full-time volunteer for three years at the Washington Jesuit Academy, Ryan worked as a tutor, coach, and mentor to young men in the program. He has also dedicated countless hours working on the yearbook as the co-editor in chief and as a staff writer for the school newspaper.
WALT WHITMAN H.S.
Lauren Wessel was selected for being a leader among students at Walt Whitman High School. In addition to her service in the leadership group, as school treasurer, and as co-captain of the varsity lacrosse and soccer teams, she has worked tirelessly on the New Hampshire Estates book drive. Lauren has also worked to educate middle school teachers about teenage eating disorders.
BARRIE SCHOOL
Claire Green has not only demonstrated academic excellence but is recognized for her energetic compassion and friendliness, her abounding enthusiasm and her genuine kindness. As stage manager for nearly all of Barrie School’s major theatrical productions over the past 4 years, Claire always worked hard to support her peers to enable them to excel in their backstage responsibilities and onstage performances. Outside of school, Claire turned her passionate energies to her work at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and her internship responsibilities in the Cardio-Thoracic unit.
RICHARD MONTGOMERY H.S.
Danielle Carpenter and J. Maureen Boice have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community involvement and action. Both Danielle and Maureen dedicated four semesters to Rocket Corps – spending two periods a day during their senior year at the Fleet Street Alternative program working with middle school children who had been recommended for expulsion. Both students also volunteered to help in the coat drive for Linkages to Learning.
MCLEAN SCHOOL
Brett Joffe has served as chair of the Upper School Service League and has been instrumental in carrying out a number of important community service projects this year, including raising funds for tsunami relief, Walk for the Homeless, a winter clothing and blanket drive, a drive to collect supplies for women’s shelters, a blood drive, and the March of Dimes walk. Throughout his high school career, Brett has shown a commitment to working with and helping others.
EINSTEIN H.S.
Refael “Raffi” Klein has used his musical talents to volunteer with non-profit community organizations and help children learn to play musical instruments. Having earned the rank of Black Belt in Karate, he now uses this skill to instruct children and adults in the sport. Raffi spent his last semester of high school participating in a volunteer work program in Argentina.
ROBERTO CLEMENTE M.S.
Elena Isaacson was awarded the Van Hollen Public Service Award for her exemplary leadership in student government and in the community.
TAKOMA PARK M.S.
Laura Boyer and Marcy Nadel were selected for their commitment to the Takoma Park community. Laura volunteered at the Sligo Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, assisting residents with daily activities. Marcy has been involved with school, church, and neighborhood activities for several years.
TILDEN M.S.
Allison Gabala was selected for her dedication to helping less fortunate members of the community. Allison works with visually impaired individuals, helping to equip their homes with Braille and conduct daily business in Braille. She volunteers at MANNA Food Center, where she prepares food baskets for needy families, and works with children at Luxmanor Elementary School and Tilden Woods Swim Center.
ARGYLE M.S.
Andy Kebede received the Van Hollen Public Service Award for having consistently shown an appreciation for his education and respect for his peers and teachers. He is an invaluable asset to his community.
FOREST OAK M.S.
Vladimir Rodriguez was selected for the many ways in which he has earned the respect and appreciation of his fellow students at Forest Oak Middle School. Vladimir is one of the few students recognized as a "Character Counts" winner three years in a row, and has set an example of caring, responsibility, respect, and kindness. As an honor roll student and Student Government President, he is a leader and a friend to his fellow students.
WESTLAND M.S.
Tracy Campbell has completed numerous student service learning hours through her participation in the Christian Appalachian Mission Project Joining Other Youth (“CAMP JOY”). This group conducts fundraisers throughout the year to purchase building supplies that are used to repair homes during summer trips to West Virginia.
RIDGEVIEW M.S., JUNE 14, 2005
Madeline Kelly has shown a commitment to working with and helping others. She has worked with and assisted the elderly, taught younger children colonial history and math skills, and fed the homeless in a community-based shelter. Maddie is also a member of the advanced band, soccer and basketball teams at Ridgeview M.S.
GAITHERSBURG M.S.
Jasmine Jones has demonstrated a commitment to public service both as a student at Gaithersburg Middle School and in her free time. She has earned more than 302 Student Service Learning Hours and has been an active volunteer at the Gaithersburg Regional Public Library, serving as a “reading friend” to younger children. She has been a Counselor-in-Training for the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks and Recreation and serves as President of the Student Government Association. Jasmine is also an exceptional athlete, having been the starting point guard for the last two years for the Gaithersburg Middle School’s basketball team, as well as playing on the Maryland Extreme Team of the AU Basketball League. She is also a coaching assistant for one of the City of Gaithersburg’s softball teams.