Melanie Medvitz: Focused and determined
Focused and determined. Those two words define Melanie Medvitz, according to Martin Turosak, chairman of the English Department at Laurel Highlands Senior High School.
An excellent volleyball player, Turosak said, Medvitz is also an outstanding student and person, giving of her time willingly to others less fortunate than herself.
“Her intensity extends to the classroom just as it appeared on the volleyball court,’ said Turosak. “Focus and determination are its hallmarks.
“Melanie willingly reaches out to others in the community,’ added Turosak. “Her altruism is evidenced by the countless hours she spent as a volunteer for the St. Vincent De Paul Society as well as the time she devoted to the Children’s Water Festival. In essence, Melanie has all the measurable tools as well as the intangibles.
His comments were echoed by others who have witnessed the Laurel Highlands High School senior helping others less fortunate than herself.
“Without dedicated volunteers like Melanie, we would not be able to operate,’ said Roy Saver, executive director for the St. Vincent De Paul Society. “Other young people volunteer for various reasons, Melanie is one of the few that does it in the true spirit of volunteerism.’
“Melanie was always proactive in the care of the animals, worked well with little direction and presented a positive, can-do attitude at all times,’ noted Laura Wiand, manager of the Fayette Friends of Animals shelter.
For her volunteering efforts, Medvitz has been selected to receive a Fayette County Community Service All-Star Award. She is among 10 local students being honored for putting forth an extra effort to make a difference in their communities. The students come from Fayette County’s seven high schools as well as the West Virginia Career Institute, the Laurel Business Institute and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
The students were nominated on the basis of their grade-point average and community service. The students will receive a $500 check to help them with their college costs. The students will be honored at a breakfast at the 30 East Main restaurant in Uniontown on Thursday, May 17.
Members of the organizing committee for the event – Jes Hutson, John Evans, Bob Garrett, Leda Gismondi, Alyssa Trynock, Dave Meredith and Melanie Thomas – will select a captain, who will receive an extra $100.
Alyssa Trynock of Big Brothers/Big Sisters will be the master of ceremonies. Uniontown banker Ben Wright will be the guest speaker.
Sponsors for the program include the Herald-Standard, Jes Hutson, Dave and Linda Meredith, Shelly and Paul Songer, Community Foundation of Fayette County, National City Bank Foundation, Cherokee Fur and Recycling, Jimmy Gismondi, John Gismondi and Associates, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 520, Russ Blaho, Harry Brownfield, Dan Evans, John Evans, Elouise Eberly, First National Bank, Hartsek Catering, Leda Gismondi, Bill Hutson, Kisiel and Rudnik, PC, Laurel Business Institute, Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus Alumni Society.
Ford Business Machines, Phil Michael, Debbie Seeger, Ron Sheba, Dicey Simon Basketball Officials, Slavik’s, George Smalley Co., Fayette Holdings Limited, Larry George, Bev Hurley, Joseph Nepa, Sepic Orthopedics, Joe Price, Alyssa Trynock, Upper Room, George Von Benko, Doug Wood and the Chestnut Ridge Rotary Club.
Medvitz, the daughter of Rick and Joyce Medvitz of Uniontown, said she benefits from volunteering.
“I have learned that volunteerism not only benefits the organizations but myself as well,’ said Medvitz. “Organizations such as Fayette Friends of Animals and St. Vincent De Paul depend on volunteers to survive. Without dedicated volunteers, they could possibly cease to exist. Involvement in my community promotes the development of friendships and has helped me become a more diverse individual.’