Students’ community service pays off
Ten local students who give so willingly of themselves to help others were honored Thursday at a breakfast to celebrate the fourth annual Fayette County Community Service All Stars. The honorees came from the seven high schools and three institutes of higher learning in Fayette County.
They are Cortney Johnson of Albert Gallatin, nominated by Ann Capozzi and presented by Joetta Britvich; Rebecca Barnhart of Brownsville, nominated and presented by Rick Gates; Alyssa Dye of Connellsville, nominated by Sarah Painley and presented by Linda Shearer; Sarah Cowen of Frazier, nominated by Cari Capozza and presented by Donna Clark; Tessa Markle of Geibel, nominated by Leo Lowney and presented by Nick Bell; Melanie Medvitz of Laurel Highlands, nominated by Andrea Barchetti and presented by Martin Turosek; Ellen Williams of Uniontown, nominated by Lois Rossi and presented by Lisa Tweardy; Sherry Harden of Laurel Business Institute, nominated by Joanne Meese and presented by Valerie Bacharach; Janice Collins of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, nominated by Chad Long and presented by Craig Collins; and Angela Hlatky of West Virginia Career Institute, nominated and presented by George Mikluscak.
Each received a $500 gift. Williams received an additional $100 after being chosen as team captain of the all-stars.
In presenting Williams to the audience, Tweardy mentioned the honoree has been volunteering at Third Presbyterian Church since she was 4. Like the other honorees, Williams is involved in service to a number of charities and organizations.
“It’s just the way she is,’ said Tweardy of Williams. “This is a woman who has dedicated her life to people.’
Williams said she took her own life’s motto from one used by a church camp: “I am third.’
“I’ve tried to live my entire life by that motto,’ said Williams. “That’s what got me involved in community service.’
All of the honorees and their presenters made remarks at the program, which took place at 30 East Main and is supported by many area businesses, individuals and groups. They shared their motivations and their passion for volunteering. Many were influenced by their parents or teachers or other volunteers who affected their own lives.
Dye noted, “Anyone can make a difference. It only takes a small sacrifice of yourself and your time.’
They promised to continue performing community service and encouraged others to do the same.
Collins said of volunteering, “When you go to bed at night and lay your head down, you have that sense of satisfaction and I hope I passed that on to my children.’
And many were surprised that their actions could garner so much attention.
Harden said, “This is such a great honor for me. It’s something I never expected at all.’
Ben Wright, senior vice president for First National, served as guest speaker and gave his Top 10 list of reasons to become involved in community service.
They included “good times’ with people in your community and “good memories’ of the people you help as well as a “good perspective.’
Of the latter he said, “You learn to look at life from the eyes and hearts of other people.’
Wright said volunteering also gives a person “good direction’ – a sense of purpose – and “good feelings.’
He noted there are no community service requirements in the real world but he hoped these students would continue to volunteer.
“If you don’t continue to volunteer, you are asking too little of yourself,’ Wright said. “…Good people care about themselves. Great people care about others. I think we have a roomful of great people here.’
Alyssa Trynock of Big Brothers/Big Sisters served as master of ceremonies. Speakers included Mark O’Keefe of the Herald-Standard, Clara Pascoe of the Community Foundation and Jes Hutston of Penn State Fayette.
In addition to Trynock and Hutston, other members of the selection committee who also participated in the program included John Evans, Leda Gismondi, Dave Meredith and Melanie Thomas.