PRESIDENT'S STUDENT SERVICE AWARD

Another opportunity to recognize our scouts
for their service and encourage them to greater achievement.

Scoutmaster Franco Piccione and the Leaders and Scouts of Troop 225 have been presenting this award since January of 1999. Four Scouts have earned the Gold Award and 7 have earned the Silver.

Millions of students volunteer every day - improving communities and making America stronger. Launched this year [1999], the President's Student Service Challenge is an opportunity for schools, colleges, and community organizations to recognize these young people for their outstanding community service and to encourage more young people to serve.

 

The Service Awards Segment

The Scholarship Segment

The President's Student Service Challenge also has a scholarship segment available to high school juniors and seniors. Scholarships for outstanding community service are available to students in every high school in the USA. Schools may award two $1000 scholarships each year.  The web site states:

                              The Corporation for National Service provides $500
                              for each scholarship matched with $500 from the
                              community. In addition to the scholarship, students
                              receive a scholarship certificate, a letter from the President,
                              and the President's Student Service Award gold pin.

"We use Troopmaster software to track all our Scouts activities.  If a Scout brings us a signed document from his school or place of worship where he has done community service, we place these hours under the 'priors' section and he gets full credit for any community service he has provided within any 12 month period."

She says, "Although not an official BSA pin, each of the boys who have earned this Award proudly wear it for all of our Courts of Honor and other very special events." 

According to Marianne, orders for pins are fulfilled in a timely manner.  "We have experienced a consistent 10 -14 day turn around from time of mailing the application and receiving the certificate and pin."  

The Troop Committee also helped a Scout receive a PSSC scholarship.   "By working with one of our Scout's high school counselor and principal we were able to have them obtain the matching funds and present him with the $1,000 Presidential Service Gold Award Scholarship last May. We feel this is a very worthwhile, yet easy to administer recognition for Scouting's involvement in community service."

My thanks to Marianne, whose prior Scouting service includes time spent as the District Advancement Chair and a Troop ASM.  She agreed to discuss her experiences with this award with anyone who wishes to contact her at Mjwp0610@aol.com.  

It was her taking the time to send a quick email that drew my attention to this award.  I appreciate it.  I will happily promote anything that recognizes our young people for their public service.  Marianne, you have not only touched the lives of many Scouts by that email - there is no way to calculate how many lives will be improved and communities helped by your gesture of good will.  You are another example of Scouting at its best.

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Visit the PSSC web site for more information about the program, the awards, and the Scholarships.

To learn about another award available to our youth, visit our Congressional Award Compass Point.

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