PROGRAMS: EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE AWARD

Annual award given to outstanding student volunteers.

2006 Excellence in Service Award Winners Congratulations to the 2006 Excellence in Service Award Winners! Florida Campus Compact is pleased to honor six of Florida's most dedicated student volunteers, who have demonstrated excellence in service, and made a positive, significant, and outstanding contribution to the field of higher education, the State of Florida, and the global community. These students were recognized at The Watermark of Student Leadership: An Engaged Institute, held in Tallahassee, Jan 26-28, 2007. All winners will receive $500.

2006 WINNERS:

2006 Winner Profiles

AMIT KARR
Amit gives to his community, not out of a feeling of obligation, but because he sees it as necessary. His motivation is to help shape an equitable society and lessen the burden of injustice felt by many of our underrepresented citizens. The core of Amit's philosophy is in the power of one's actions to implement change. If the power of one can implement change, Amit has done the work of many. He has worked with the Beta Center advising teenage mothers, and has been deeply engaged in the Ripple Effect, a grassroots organization that works with the homeless men, women, and children in his community. He has served as a Community Engagement Liaison and on the Rollins' Leadership Education and Development TEAM, creating opportunities for students to connect and engage in co-curricular service, academic service-learning and leadership development.

ASHLEY DUCHESNEAU
Ashley has been giving back to her community since 7th grade. Through Brevard Community College's Center for Service Learning, Ashley was able to receive credit for her Community Involvement class while continuing to serve. By combining her love of serving her community with her academic endeavors, Ashley and her Community Involvement class unanimously agreed on their course project - the "Kylie Campaign." Through a recycling campaign, "Kans for Kylie", a united community effort, and a benefit co-hosted by the Student Government Association, Ashley's Community Involvement class raised over $4,000, as well as gift cards, 4 passes to Disney World, and over $200 in Christmas gifts. Ashley also tirelessly volunteers for her area March of Dimes.

BETH HERBERT
Beth has worked many years with Creature Safe Place, rehabilitating injured wildlife and all creatures except dogs and cats, and organizing and generating donations for an auction to aid the animals. She has also been in ferret rescue for the past few years, housing sick and elderly ferrets and bringing Roxie, her "Pet Ferrapist", to a grief and loss group. Her latest service experiences through Indian River Community College, allowed her to continue to volunteer at Heathcote Botanical Gardens for a Service Learning and Civic Engagement course. Through this experience, she was able to become more involved with the "behind the scenes" of a nonprofit. She is continuing her engagement with Delta Epsilon Pi and Phi Beta Lambda, and is a member of the Student Leadership Institute, enjoying each of her volunteering experiences to the fullest.

JACQULYN SIMMONS
To look at the extent of Jacqulyn's service to various programs over the past few years, one would wonder if she had time to sleep. In Ecuador, Jacqulyn helped renovate an elementary school bathroom and constructed a greenhouse that would utilize farming techniques as a method of teaching. Through the Jaguars Foundation/UNF Community Scholars Program, Jacqulyn works with at-risk area high school students, encouraging them to attend college and providing assistance with the SAT and ACT testing process and applying for financial aid. With the Heart of America program, Jacqulyn helped select schools and recruited students for a project to renovate 3 elementary school libraries to combat the issue of illiteracy. She has learned that the greatest result is not only the end result of a project, but in the way it catalyzes the participation of others. Jacqulyn serves as a service-learning facilitator at the University of North Florida, recruiting other students to become involved in their community.

JAMES GEIGER
When James became involved with Anytown, a week-long initiative with National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), a nonprofit human relations organization, he came back permanently changed. James was born with Cerebral Palsy, which causes a speech impediment and lack of muscle control. James went through some very hard times, primarily due to the frustration of having an intelligence and ability that others dismissed because of his disability. Anytown allowed him to have candid conversations with students about important societal issues without being judged by condition, and he was truly heard without discrimination and was able to have earnest dialogue with others. He has since committed to hundreds of hours as a counselor for Anytown and NCCJ, and carried with him the mission of creating dialogue, opening minds, and breaking down stereotypes. He uses this mission to speak with students at the University of South Florida as a resident at Leadership House, as the Multicultural Liaison of PRIDE, and on the Volunteer USF Leadership Board. In the many leadership activities James takes part in on campus, he always incorporates the lessons of tolerance he learned at Anytown.

KRYSTEN LOIELO
When it came time to choose a college, Krysten found that the strong service program at the University of Tampa suited her continued interest in community service. Her first campus visit was to the P.E.A.C.E. (People Exploring Active Community Experiences) Volunteer Center, where she immediately became involved with their community service, service-learning, and advocacy programs. She was appointed head coordinator for the 2005-2006 school year and has tackled this role head-on. Some new endeavors Krysten has been instrumental in forming include the Faces of Homeless advocacy program, coordinating the 2006 Alternative Spring Break, beginning a Fair Trade festival, and spearheading an international service trip to the Dominican Republic teach English to children in an orphanage. Krysten plans to continue to fulfill her passion for service throughout her life.