Urbana High School students will be recognized by Urbana School District #116 and the City of Urbana for their community service at the 3rd annual Mayoral Recognition Program.
“We are celebrating Urbana High School students for volunteer service in our community. They are learning to be lifelong volunteers and leaders. We know that each friend we make, each person we help, each act of kindness makes our community stronger and healthier. In this third year of the Mayoral Recognition Program, approximately 100 students have volunteered upwards of 10,000 hours. We also celebrate their families and friends, teacher mentors, and school district administrators and staff who have supported their efforts throughout the year,” Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin said.
The program will take place from 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in the Urbana High School Gymnasium. Keynote Speaker will be Minnie Pearson, President of the NAACP Champaign County Branch. Pearson has lived in the area for over 50 years, and is a former teacher in the Champaign Unit #4 School District for over 30 years.
Urbana School District Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Ivory-Tatum recognized the importance of these beneficial community contributions students have made these past months.
“Urbana Schools and its students are committed to serving our community, which is evident in this year’s impressive volunteer numbers,” Dr. Ivory-Tatum said. “Our students gave more than 10,000 hours of their time and talents in service to our community. These students exemplify the spirit of Urbana Tiger Pride, and their dedication to our community is remarkable. We truly are Urbana Better Together. Thank you, Mayor Marlin, for continuing to recognize these leaders of tomorrow and highlighting the amazing work Urbana High School students do year-round.”
A Student Success Resource Fair, featuring Urbana High School clubs, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office of Admissions and Records, Parkland College, Eastern Illinois University Office of Admissions and Records, the Urbana Park District, and more will precede this event from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Musical and special performances begin at 5 p.m., featuring the UHS Race Street Jazz Combo, UHS A Capella, UHS Guard, and UHS Dance Teams.
Examples of student service include:
- Providing winter apparel for a local women’s shelter
- Collecting 1,900 pounds of food with the community for the Eastern Illinois Food Bank
- Distributing 300 turkeys and bags of groceries to families during the holidays
- Helping to build seven Habitat for Humanity Houses
- Writing letters to military serving overseas
- Baking and giving treats to local first responders
- Gathering 200 gallons of trash and recycling
- Helping neighbors recover from surgery
- Delivering greeting cards to senior citizens during holidays
The Mayoral Recognition Program is open to any UHS student who completes 30 hours of volunteer service during the academic year. Students who complete at least 30 service hours will receive a Certificate of Service from Mayor Marlin, Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum, and UHS Principal Jesse Guzman.
