President's Volunteer Service Award

Presidential Recognition

President Bush to Recognize Greenville High School Student for Dedication to Service

President George W. Bush met with Gustavius "Gus" Philander Samuel, Jr., a local high school student who has been active with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club when he arrives in Greenville, South Carolina. President Bush recognized Samuel as an example of the lifetime commitment to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—in service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing men and women from around the country who are answering the call to service as part of his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

A member of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Greenville since he was 10 years old, Samuel has been an active volunteer at the club for the past 4 years. He has been a junior staff member, volunteer basketball and soccer coach, part-time recreation aide, field trip leader and after-school program mentor at the club. A high school senior with plans to begin college in the fall, Samuel has balanced his volunteer service at the club with his academic work, a part time job, and team sports including soccer and football.

Boys and Girls Club of America estimates that 3.3 million young people like Samuel have been members of the more than 2,800 club locations around the country, and that approximately 11,300 have been trained as full-time youth professionals, with another 22,500 trained as part-time youth professionals.

President Bush to Recognize Miami Student for Dedication to Service

President George W. Bush met Emilio Rodriguez on his arrival in Miami, Florida. Rodriguez is an active volunteer and honors student at Miami-Dade Community College. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—in service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing individuals a round the country who are answering the call to service, and will recognize Rodriguez as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

Rodriguez has volunteered for park clean-up programs, art shows for children, and a school for mentally challenged children. He works with at-risk children in the All-Aboard Tutoring and Mentoring Program and helps to coordinate Habitat for Humanity projects. He has been active in the Downtown Miami Pride Day, the Miami Book Fair International, Black History Month observances, and his college's United Way Campaign.

After graduation, Rodriguez will join the U.S. Marine Corps as a commissioned officer and hopes to become a high school teacher.

President Bush to Recognize Columbus Student for Dedication to Service

President George W. Bush met Gabriel "Gabe" Wilson on arriving in Columbus, Ohio. Wilson is a high school senior who is active in helping other young people avoid drug use and peer pressure. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called on all Americans to dedicate at least two years of their lives—the equivalent of 4,000 hours—in service to their communities, our country and the world. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country who are answering the call to service, and will recognize Wilson as an example of the dedication to service he is hoping to instill in all Americans through his USA Freedom Corps initiative.

A senior at Northland High School, Wilson volunteers with Youth to Youth International, a youth led drug prevention and leadership program. Wilson serves on Youth to Youth's Youth Advisory and Speakers Boards. In his work with Youth to Youth, Wilson helps design and implement drug prevention programs for his peers and speaks to students about the benefits of making drug-free choices.

Gabe also helps run mini-camps for seventh and eighth grade students that prepare students for the transition to high school. He participates in Just Say No marches and rallies and is active in Team Northland, the community service club at his high school. Through Team Northland, he has been involved with a reading program at a nearby elementary school and landscaping for Habitat for Humanity homes.

Gabe plans to attend Ohio University next fall where he will study photography.

President Bush to Recognize Denver Young Adult for Dedication to Volunteer Service

President George W. Bush met Phuong Nguyen upon arriving in Denver, Colorado, on Monday, August 11, 2003. A recent graduate of George Washington High School, Nguyen is a longtime volunteer with the American Red Cross (ARC) Youth Corps.

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like Nguyen, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

For the past two years, Nguyen has been an active volunteer with the ARC Youth Corps, a partnership program between the Mile High Chapter of the ARC and Denver-area high schools. As part of the ARC Youth Corps program, students participate in “Signature Projects” each semester that require them to identify community needs and establish a plan for addressing those needs through volunteer service. During her junior and senior years, Nguyen worked with other students to organize and implement three such projects including: graffiti removal and mural painting at her school; coordinating a gift exchange between seniors in a nearby nursing home and children at a daycare facility; and creating a field day for elementary students to promote health and fitness.

President Bush to Recognize Portland Area Youth for Dedication to Volunteer Service

President George W. Bush met Kelly MacKenzie upon arrival in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, August 21, 2003. During the school year, MacKenzie serves as a mentor and tutor for elementary school students.

Earlier this year, President Bush celebrated the first anniversary of the USA Freedom Corps – his initiative to engage all Americans in service to their neighbors and their nation. President Bush is recognizing individuals around the country, like MacKenzie, who are answering the call to volunteer service.

Through the Camp Fire USA Youth Development Program offered at her high school, MacKenzie mentors and tutors 4th to 6th grade students at Minter Bridge Elementary’s CampFire afterschool program. During the school year, MacKenzie volunteers approximately two hours each week, serving as a role model to younger students, helping them with their homework and offering words of encouragement and support.