More than 40 students were recognized by the Urbana School District and the City of Urbana on Wed., May 18 for their volunteer service in the community.

This is the inaugural year for the Mayoral Recognition Program, which saw 29 students apply and an additional 15 students nominated.

“We are celebrating Urbana students who choose to help their community. They are learning to be lifelong volunteers and leaders. It’s been said that not everyone will do great things but everyone can do small things with great love and passion. Each friend we make, each person we help, each act of kindness makes our community stronger and healthier and together, we are better. I also want to thank the families, teacher mentors, and school district administrators and staff who supported these students in service to the community,” Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin said.

More than 2,300 volunteer hours were served at several area organizations, including the Urbana Free Library, Urbana Schools, the League of Women Voters of Champaign County, Habitat for Humanity, Salt & Light and many more.

“We are incredibly grateful to have this program in USD116,” said Superintendent of Urbana School District, Dr. Ivory-Tatum. “I am so proud of our young people and their efforts to uplift their community and neighborhoods. I appreciate the Mayor recognizing our students and their accomplishments as we finalized our Inaugural year of this exciting program. Thank you, Tigers, for your commitment to service and “Doing Good in the U.”

The Mayoral Recognition Program is open to any UHS student who completes 30 hours of volunteer service during the academic year. Students who complete 30 service hours will receive a Certificate of Service from Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin, Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum and UHS Principal Nance. Students with 50, 75, or 100 hours of service also receive a pin of recognition.