College student honored for volunteer work
Think going to college is difficult at times with tests, papers and difficult professors? Well, that’s the least of it for Janice M. Collins, a student at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. In addition to being a college student, she works full time and is married with a family. And on top of that, she volunteers countless hours for several different projects.
“Over the past two years, I have had the pleasure of working with Janice,’ said Chad Long, assistant to the director of student affairs at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus. “Both years she has served as a member of the THON Team, a 46-hour dance marathon that benefits children with cancer. Additionally, this year she served as the programming captain on the team. Through this endeavor, Janice organized and planned several fund-raising events.
“In addition to her role on the THON Team, Janice has served in several community service projects including walking to Harrisburg to promote healthier lifestyles and participating in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl-A-Thon. These are testaments to her enthusiasm and energy,’ added Long.
“Janice chooses to give a part of herself – her energy and her skills – to make a difference in our community, all the while embracing an attitude of social responsibility without concern for monetary profit,’ said Dr. Jo Ann Jankoski.
For all her volunteer work, Collins 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.
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, Joe Hardy, Cherokee Fur and Recycling, Jimmy and Lizzy Gismondi, John Gismondi and Associates, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 520, Jim Gismondi, 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.
Collins, who is married to Scott Collins, had a 4.0 grade-point average. She’s majoring in human development and family studies.
Collins said the best way people can serve their country is to serve their communities.
“What better way can we serve our country, than by starting within our own community?’ said Collins. “It is through our endeavors as individuals and collaboration with one another that helps to promote and build a strong foundation for our community in which we live, work and play.
“When I serve others, I serve myself as well,’ she added. “Service is healing and renews my soul, as well as faith in myself and humankind. It is for reasons such as this, which motivates my endeavors in community service. What other way can one provide oneself with a sense of accomplishment, pride and that deep down fuzzy feeling.’