TEMPERANCE — Three southeast Michigan teens were honored Wednesday with the prestigious Youth Jefferson Award.
Bedford High School students Hunter Gandee, 15, and Allie Waite and Lexi Laginess, both 17, were surprised at a schoolwide event with what’s been called the Nobel Prize for local public service. Hunter, a sophomore, and seniors Allie and Lexi, were honored for their giving and service to others.
“Over 45 years ago, there were leaders in this country that said we need to recognize when people do good and do the right thing,” said Kristina White, Toledo regional director of the Youth Jefferson Award. “So they created this award.”
The Youth Jefferson Award is organized by Students In Action Leadership Toledo, an organization with a rich 35-year history in the region. Students In Action is designed to spark service and volunteerism in the next generation of young Americans. It is currently affiliated with 39 area high schools, including schools in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
The students received their awards at halftime of a student-staff basketball game. The ceremony was kept as a surprise, nearly leading to one of the recipients missing it. Lexi doesn’t have an afternoon class and planned to go home to start her Thanksgiving break early. A clever teacher made sure she would be at the game.
“I’m so excited,” said Lexi, who lists 15 community service activities among her extracurriculars. She, Allie, and Hunter collaborated on one such project last week when they baked and distributed more than 2,400 cookies for the Bedford cookie drop.
“I was so surprised. I just hope that it inspires other people to give and win the award, too. [Giving] is my passion,” she said. “I want to go to college and study nonprofit management.
“Doing this type of work isn’t even a chore for me, like it might be for other students. I’m just like, yeah, I just want to go and do stuff.”
Students at the 39 schools accounted for more than 373,750 service hours and were responsible for 159 Youth Jefferson Awards during the 2014-15 school year.
Hunter gained national attention for his CP Swagger campaign to raise awareness of cerebral palsy, a disorder his younger brother, Braden, lives with. Hunter carried Braden 57 miles, from Lambertville to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, twice and helped create a handicapped-accessible playground at Douglas Road Elementary School.
“Everything we’ve been recognized for, I’m just extremely thankful for all the opportunities,” Hunter said. “It shows what the youth can do in our world, the impact we can make, and the changes we can make. I just enjoy helping other people and making difference.”
The Students in Action program helps ensure that the education offered to students extends beyond the academic curriculum of the classrooms. Students organize days of service for classmates, food drives, and visits to care facilities.
“I’m speechless,” said Allie, who’s involved in 17 community service projects. “It’s great. I just hope it encourages more people to get out and help better our community.”
Student leaders at each school are tasked with redefining the culture of their schools to one of service by heightening peer awareness of volunteer opportunities and by bringing attention to ordinary students involved in extraordinary service to others.
“[It’s easy] when you have three kids that stick out so far above the rest with their dedication to community service and the activities they’re involved in,” said Christy Avalos, Bedford’s student council adviser. “It’s never a job to them. They always want to do the next thing. They’re always pushing to do more and be more involved in the community. They feel deeply and are committed to the activities they’re involved in.”
Contact Kyle Rowland at: krowland@theblade.com, 419-724-6282, or on Twitter @KyleRowland.
First Published November 26, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
