CVHS Freshmen Honored for Community Service

Members of Crescenta Valley civic organizations joined Nancy Stone and CVHS Principal Mike Livingston in presenting Community Service Awards to more than 100 freshmen students this week. The presentations were made in the students' contemporary world affairs class.

Students who completed a minimum of 10 hours of service since the semester started in February earned the certificate. Awards are given at the end of the summer session, and the end of the first and second semesters of the school year. With Wednesday's presentation, about 500 students earned Community Service Awards this school year.

The students earned their hours by working for a variety of non-profit organizations. Several worked on the state assembly campaign of Glendale City Councilman Frank Quintero. Some worked in public libraries, nursing homes, churches and hospitals.

Stone, a foothills resident and active volunteer, began the CSA program began about 12 years. Stone had learned of a program in Maryland she thought would benefit area youth.

"I wanted to get the kids excited about volunteering," she said. "It was and is such a big part of my life. I hope they discover the passion in giving."

Freshmen students are the only ones to receive the certificates, but Stone hopes the program ignites an appreciation for community service and a desire to do more. As an incentive, those students that complete 100 hours of service by graduation will be awarded a gold medallion that will be presented at the graduation ceremony.

This year more than 200 students will be receiving the gold medallion. One of them, graduating senior Raymen Assaf, 17, said the community service work he did when he was a freshman led to his interest in working with children.

"I worked some hours at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, helping with the kids. I found that I really liked it," he said. "Not long after, I joined the YMCA as a lifeguard, teaching kids how to swim. I found that I really enjoy working with kids." This passion, coupled with his love of medicine, has helped steer him to a career as a pediatrician. Assaf will begin studying at UC-San Diego in the fall.

Several members of local volunteer organizations were on hand to help with Wednesday's presentation and to encourage the students to continue their work with non-profits. Ira Hart represented the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce while Stephen Pierce, Bill Bodell and Danette Erickson represented the CV Town Council.