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Brethren High School's Service Learning Class Receives the President's Service Award

Brethren High School's Service Learning class received one of the twenty-one awards presented in October 1999. There was only one other school honored although individuals of high school age also received awards. Our students were rewarded for their efforts in the town of Kaleva for the past four years. These include:
  • Renovating the train depot and turning it into a railroad museum.
  • Remodeling the granary office and opening it as a welcome center.
  • Landscaping a park and creating benches, flower gardens and a mural dedicated to the early settlers.
  • Rebuilding a primitive cabin to function as an outdoor theater.
  • Calling local artists together to open a cooperative art gallery.
  • The projects include artworks such as a totem pole, an eagle sculpture, flags, trash containers, a fence and rail sculpture which reflect the rich heritage of the town.
The students' efforts this year are directed toward celebrating the town's centennial in the year 2000:
  • Designing artwork, signs, benches and gardens for a walkway to connect the town and the nearby park.
  • Continuing to work on the cabin, daubing the cracks, putting on hand-hewn cedar shingles and constructing a floor.
Teachers Deborah Crandell and Cynthia Asiala and elementary teacher Christine Makinen; student Brandy Ferrari and school board members traveled to Washington, DC to receive the award. A meeting with President Clinton and the presentation of an engraved silver medal were highlights of the trip.

The students' dedication, supportive administration, very cooperative village council and grateful community have contributed to the project's success.

About the Award

  • The President's Service awards were created in 1982.
  • To honor outstanding individuals and organizations engaged in service directed at solving critical social problems.
  • To call attention to contributions made by the nation's 93 million volunteers.
  • The Points of Light Foundation and the Corporation for National Service co-sponsor the awards, which are awarded annually.
  • This year more than 3500 nominations were received and reviewed in four areas: human needs, environment, education and public safety.
  • Special consideration is given to those that either benefit or involve young people.