South San Francisco, CA July 17, 2015 Press Release Submitted by Melinda M
ECHS Counselor Derek Padilla with Regional Advisor Freda Statom with Tiana and Melinda
El Camino High School’s Students in Action, a student led service program, has won a national award bringing pride to their City of South San Francisco. Students in Action captured the gold medal for high school volunteerism at the Jefferson Award Competition last month in Washington D.C. After winning the regional competition in March, two El Camino student organizers of the winning group, Melinda McMonigle and Tiana Valerio, along with their advisor, Derek Padilla, traveled to Washington D.C. to take part in the national completion for the honor, which is based on student service, leadership, and volunteerism. (The president of El Camino’s Students in Action club, Patricia Manubay, was unable to attend as she was launching her Dream Box project in the Philippines.)
The gold medal was the first for a Bay Area high school in nine years and was awarded to El Camino for its outstanding progress in increasing the amount of volunteering in its school and community. For example they increased the percent of volunteers at El Camino from 10.5 to 40% and increased fundraising totals by 489%. Competing with various schools from around the nation, El Camino High received the highest honor for its achievements.
The Jefferson Award recognizes outstanding pubic service
Tiana Valerio, Regional Advisor Ratha Chuon, and Melinda McMonigle with the Jefferson Award
Way to go El Camino and Minda