SHS Wins National Award for Public Service
June 21, 2011
Kayla Reinherz addresses the crowd at the 39th annual Jefferson Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.
Stevenson High School won the 2011 Jefferson Award for Outstanding Service by a High School on Tuesday, June 21. The Jefferson Award, known as the "Nobel Prize for public service," honors community service and volunteerism efforts. The award was presented to the school's Students In Action leaders during the 39th annual Jefferson Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.
Stevenson became eligible for the national award in April after it was selected as the
Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Regional Recipient for Outstanding Service by a High School. This was the second straight year SHS has received the honor, which is given to schools that best meet the seven goals of the Students In Action program, and expand volunteerism.
Representing Stevenson in Washington were 2011 graduates Cole Deloye, Lainie Fox, Danielle Marks, Kayla Reinherz, Brady Richter and Greg Schultheis, and seniors Neha Rao and Andelyn Russell. They were accompanied by Community Service Coordinator Brett Erdmann and Director of Student Activities Ted Goergen.
Among Stevenson's community service and volunteer highlights for 2010-11 were:
- Project Dance on March 11 raised more than $45,000 for the Riverside Foundation and the Stevenson High School Foundation's KIN (Kids In Need) Fund.
- Give-A-Thon, held in late November and early December, provided clothing and holiday gifts to 360 Lake County families in need; helped stock the Vernon Township Food Pantry with enough non-perishable food to last six months; and provided supplies for young mothers.
- Spirit Fest, which kicks off Homecoming Week, raised $22,500 for the Saving Tiny Hearts Society.
- An estimated 100,000 volunteer hours from students, including 55,000 officially recorded through UGive, which helps schools and other groups track community service hours.
About The Jefferson Awards
The Jefferson Awards was co-founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, as the 'Nobel Prize' for public service. Named for one of America's most influential Founding Fathers, and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the Jefferson Awards' central tenet is that each and every citizen shares a responsibility to work towards the betterment of their communities through economic participation, public service, volunteerism, and other such efforts to improve life for all. Today, the mission of the Jefferson Awards is to recognize, inspire and activate volunteerism and public service in communities, workplaces and schools across America. For more information on The Jefferson Awards, visit:
www.jeffersonawards.org.
Stevenson's Students In Action Leadership Team for 2010-11:
Front (left to right): Neha Rao, Lainie Fox, Kayla Reinherz and Andelyn Russell.
Back (left to right): Danielle Marks, Greg Schultheis, Brady Richter and Cole Deloye.
