Four recipients representing a teacher/practitioner, an innovative service-learning program, a school administrator, and a student were honored with the awards.  They were presented at the 13^th Annual Institute: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement in Grand Rapids on Thursday, February 12^th.  The Institute provided opportunities to examine service-learning models of success, network with service-learning professionals, and explore campus-community partnerships.

The 2009 award recipients were:

Administrator Award
This award was presented to a school administrator who has served as a model of leadership for service-learning in their school district. 

Dave Reschke, Deputy Superintendent of Clarkston Community Schools - Dave has been a long time advocate for service-learning.  Each year he works with his staff to assess the necessary resources needed to support the growth of service-learning in Clarkston's schools.  With his service-learning leadership team, the district's service-learning efforts are high quality educational experiences valued in the community.  His application of a strategic growth strategy assures the programming will last far beyond the availability of grant funding.  Dave is the founding member of the Clarkston Foundation which raises funds for student and staff scholarships.  Through each of these roles, he has been both an information provider and advisor regarding finances and specific needs for academic support programs.  Recently, Dave traveled to Washington, D.C. with a delegation of K-12 and higher education representatives from the state of Michigan to promote the important roles service-learning and service to the community play in our schools and in our state.

Innovative Program Award
This award honors a K-12 service-learning program demonstrating innovation and excellence.

Talk to Us Service-Learning Program, Tinkham Alternative High School in Westland - This program is intended to educate middle and high school-aged girls on the many different issues young women face today.   Discussions often revolve around feminism, body image, gender roles, healthy relationships, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.  This service-learning course improves the lives of many students.  It was created by three veteran women's studies students who committed to facilitating an after school intervention program for middle school aged girls.  The six-week program includes time for discussions, presentations, and reflection. 

Student Award
This award was given to a K-12 student who demonstrates leadership in the development and implementation of service-learning in their district and demonstrates initiative and creativity in service-learning participation. 

Gordie Stene, Belding High School Junior - Gordie has been an advocate for service-learning since middle school.  In eighth grade he attended the National Service Learning Conference and proceeded to bring back project ideas and share them with fellow students and his teachers.  Gordie has served on the Michigan Community Service Commission's Service Learning Youth Council (SLYC) and during that time continued to spread his knowledge of service-learning by presenting to his fellow BHS students and key stakeholders.  He has worked hard to integrate more service-learning opportunities within Belding Area Schools by designing projects for his peers and discovering creative ways to financially support future efforts. 

K12 Teacher/Practitioner Award
This award was presented to a teacher who has served as a model of leadership for service-learning.

Denise Sargent, L'Anse Creuse High School science teacher - Denise has helped nurture the 15 teachers within her department at LCHS to expand their service-learning knowledge and skills.  Along with a representative from Classic Computer Recovery, Inc., the LCHS principal, seven other science teachers, two service-learning coordinators, and 150 students, Denise held a "Go Green" Recycling Drop-Off Event in November 2008 in an effort to reduce trash from used electronics.  The event was quite successful as nearly 500 vehicles brought enough materials to fill three semitrailers.  Classic Computer Recovery, Inc. agreed to pay the school $3 for every vehicle that donated materials during the "Go Green" Recycling Drop-off Event.