Brandon Twp.- April 30 was a record-setting night for Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance as the organization paid tribute at the 28th Annual Youth Recognition Ceremony to children who volunteer in the community or have made strides to overcome their own personal challenges.
‘We honored 161 children, the most in the 28 years we’ve been doing this,? said Fran Hotchkiss, chair of the event. ‘That is the highest number of kids we’ve had. It says great things about our community. I think more and more students are getting recognized for positve things and I think it makes other kids think, ‘I want to do something to make a positive effect in our community.??
Youth Recognition Night honors school-age residents within the Brandon School District boundaries nomi-nated for awards on the basis of voluntary services and/or exceptional personal efforts. Categories include exceptional service to others; achievement by an individual who has overcome personal challenges and/or set an example for others; heroism/outstanding humanitarian act; and exceptional act by an individual within a club or organization.
Among this year’s 161 honorees were Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School students who participated in ‘Peers Making Peace,? a program in which student mediators help classmates resolve conflicts; students who participated in Relay for Life of Brandon/Orotonville, the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event; students who did yardwork and various chores in the Teens and Seniors Rocking and Raking event; and students who volunteered their time to help at the Brandon Township Library or in the career exploration program at Brandon High School. Other students were nominated for their exceptional service in clubs or organizations such as student council, or for their efforts to help raise money or other donations for various charitable causes. One, Ashley Ortwine, a Brandon High School student, was nominated by BHS Principal Dan Stevens after she organized a petition drive to have Apple take down a smartphone app that students were using to bully other students anonymously.
Receiving special recognition this year were Alyssa Deweerdt, a BHS freshman, and Katie Schmidt, a Brandon Township resident and fifth grader at Marist Academy in Pontiac. The pair were the recipients of the Gold Star Award for the many hours each of them volunteer at O.A.T.S. (Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles) in Brandon Township. O.A.T.S. is a non-profit organization that offers horseback riding therapy to individuals with a variety of special needs.
Alyssa has been volunteering at O.A.T.S. for the past few years, one or two days a week during the school year, and three or four days a week during the summer, for several hours each day, feeding and grooming horses, cleaning the barn, and leading horses, as well as walking next to riders and helping hold them up on the horse when needed.
‘I like horses and then I found out I like working with the kids,? she said. ‘They are always smiling, my favorite little boy is Daniel and I sidewalk his horse and he had a feeding tube, but he would always smile no matter what. It’s rewarding making kids happy and helping them.?
Katie also volunteers once a week at O.A.T.S., doing similar chores.
‘I lead the horses and do any work they want me to do,? she said. ‘My volunteer work means I am helping a child one horseback ride at a time. It makes me feel really good inside that I am helping someone do what I like to do.?
Both were pleased to have been recognized with awards.
‘I think it’s a great honor, I wasn’t expecting it,? said Alyssa, who is currently working on getting her new dog certified as a therapy animal in order to take her to hospitals to offer comfort to patients. ‘People should try volunteering and see how they can help people and what a difference they can make.?
Hotchkiss called their efforts outstanding and as the children’s librarian at Brandon Township Library, she has also been the beneficiary of several volunteer efforts. She is grateful for all the volunteers in the community.
‘I’m really proud of the students, and the parents, too,? she said. ‘Obviously parents are being good role models and that is why their students are volunteering as well. Some kids also have a rough time at home and volunteering is a good outlet and they can all feel good knowing they are making a positive difference.?