Volunteer Recognition Reception honors three

Cheryl Freeman, volunteer coordinator for the St. Johns County School District, reported to local Historic City News reporters that three individuals were honored as St Johns County’s “Outstanding Volunteers of the Year” at the sixth annual Volunteer Recognition Reception held recently at First Coast Technical College.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Joyner announced the school volunteer honorees.

Outstanding Senior Volunteer, Karen Cantona from Durbin Creek Elementary School, willingly volunteers to do whatever is needed to make a difference in the lives of students. Her time is spent assisting students with reading, monitoring the administration of new assessments, working at the Book Fair, taking part in health screenings, and participating in numerous school-sponsored events. The staff considers her specialty the ability to be available at the right time and place over and over again.

By night, Outstanding Adult Volunteer Benjamin (Ben) Walker is a member of the school district’s custodial staff at South Woods Elementary School. By day, he spends his time helping ESE students in all grades. The children see him as a role model and mentor and flock to him whenever he is at the school. Walker has also been very active in youth sports throughout his community. He began a girls’ basketball team, not only focusing on the sport, but also inspiring them to pursue victory with honor. He has also provided support to a boys’ youth football league and the Organization of United Resources Center after school program. He continually inspires students and faculty to lead with a meaningful purpose, just as he does.

Outstanding Youth Volunteer, Maxwell Ervanian, a senior at Ponte Vedra High School, possesses a can-do attitude with regard to volunteering. His philosophy is that if there’s a need, let’s meet it. Ervanian not only volunteers hours to causes that are near to his heart, but he also rallies fellow students and friends to do the same. He serves as a student mentor with the Foreign Youth Exchange through his school’s Interact Club, and works with students during his lunch time which he has been doing since seventh grade. He currently serves as the president of the Best Buddies program and coordinates opportunities for fellow students to work with their “buddies” throughout the school day. One of the most impactful projects he has taken on, Helping Homeless NOW Christmas Dinner, started when he was just 12 years old and has provided food and clothing to more than 200 homeless and needy individuals. He has also provided his time and effort to the Sulzbacher Center, The Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps.

These Outstanding Volunteers will be recognized at the May 14 School Board meeting.