Today four exceptional service-learning champions received accolades from the Michigan Community Service Commission.  A school administrator, teacher, student, and service-learning program were honored with a 2007 Outstanding Service-Learning Award at the 11th Annual Institute on Service-Learning.  These annual awards recognize the very best in Michigan's service-learning community. 

Dr. Gregory Baracy (above right) received the Administrator Award, which is reserved for an administrator in a K-12 school district who serves as a model of service-learning leadership.  He demonstrates vision and direction toward the expansion of service-learning at both the building and district levels through education and advocacy. 

Dr. Baracy has been a service-learning champion throughout his nine-year tenure as superintendent of the Wayne Westland School District. As a result of his leadership, staff members from all 25 schools in the district have been engaged in developing and implementing service-learning.  He has created partnerships leading to sustainable and systemic service-learning. This began with a relationship with the Henry Ford in jointly developing a wrap-around initiative based in service-learning for at-risk high school youth. Dr. Baracy's unwavering enthusiasm, advocacy, and willingness to provide scarce financial and human resources are an inspiration to all.

The Lowell High School Freshman Center (right) received the 2007 Innovative Program Award, which is presented to the K-12 service-learning program best demonstrating innovation and excellence.  The program incorporates key elements of high-quality service-learning such as sustainable impact on the participants and the community and connection to the school curriculum.

Over the last two years, this project has engaged 650 students, 200 adult volunteers and approximately 4,000 hours of service to help 800 disadvantaged or visually impaired youth. Half of the class traveled to Camp Mel Trotter to refurbish the camp for at-risk youth and prepare it for summer visitors. The students built sheds for animals, spread mulch, restored tile flooring, raked and cleaned woods, and built fencing. The other half of the class restored Camp Tuhsmeheta, a summer camp for visually impaired youth. Here students built cabins, cleared trails, constructed decking by the water, and mulched walkways. Teachers do an excellent job of connecting the service projects to academic curriculum such as social studies and math.

Kari Simon-Pieters, a teacher at St. Johns High School, was the winner of the Teacher/Practitioner Award, which is reserved for someone who helps others in the service-learning field expand their knowledge and skills. She demonstrates the ability to incorporate the essential elements of service-learning in practice and has provided youth opportunities to lead and serve. 

Ms. Simon-Pieters has been a service-learning practitioner for seven years and is recognized as a leader in her school district and in Clinton County. She has been a valued contributor to professional development at the county level for the past four years. Ms. Simon-Pieters uses service-learning as a teaching strategy to bridge science and community in her chemistry, anatomy, and physiology classes. Examples of innovative projects include water quality testing in the Stony Creek watershed, a shoe-recycling program, and an organ donation campaign. These projects have resulted in the recycling of more than 2,000 pairs of athletic shoes, 146 new organ donor registrants, and hosting Japanese students for a two-week tour and study of the Great Lakes.  She is the consummate service-learning practitioner and is tirelessly committed to developing student leaders in the classroom and community.

George Mikla from L'Anse Creuse High School was the winner of the Student Award, which is reserved for someone who has demonstrated leadership in the development and implementation of service-learning in his or her school district.  George has demonstrated initiative and creativity in a service-learning project, which resulted in a positive impact on his school and community.

For six years, ninth graders at L'Anse Creuse High School have been engaged in the "Valentines for Vets" project.  Ninth graders write letters to and visit veterans in the local Veterans Hospital. On Valentines Day 2006, George Mikla proposed an expansion of the project by filming the visit. He spent more than 32 hours on this project, creating a film with his own equipment. George recognized a need and as an enhancement to his learning, produced a product for the need.  The film has been aired for the entire student body and will be used as a teaching tool with the 430 incoming 9^th graders. George is a model of service-learning leadership for other students and is being honored for his vision and hard work.

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) hosts the annual awards to pay tribute to service-learning leaders who are demonstrating excellent service-learning skills in K-12 classrooms.  Janet Lawson, MCSC Commissioner and Director of the Ford Motor Company Volunteer Corps presented the awards.

The MCSC, a state agency that strengthens communities through service, houses Learn and Serve - Michigan, which is a competitive grant program to support service-learning.   Service-learning is a way of teaching and learning that connects meaningful service to the community with classroom instruction.  Through service-learning, young people take what they learn and put it into action in the community.  The MCSC also manages Michigan's AmeriCorps, Mentor Michigan, Volunteer Investment Grants, and the Governor's Service Awards.

The Outstanding Student Service Awards and the Faculty/Staff Community Service-Learning Awards, which are sponsored by Michigan Campus Compact, were also presented at the celebration.