Local Student Awarded $1,000 Scholarship for National Youth Service Day Awards
Mayor John Gates presented Merelyn Chavez with the 2023 National Youth Service Day Award at the Greeley City Council meeting Tuesday, April 18. Chavez is a 17-year-old high school senior at Greeley West High School.
The Greeley Youth Commission presented Chavez with a plaque and a $1,000 scholarship check for her outstanding volunteer efforts.
Nomination
Adriana Carrillo, Greeley Dream Team project manager, nominated Merelyn Chavez. In the nomination application, Carillo stated Chavez “is one of the most dedicated and caring students I have ever met.”
“She is a natural leader, and everything she does is with an intention for the betterment of the community,” Carillo said. “She cares about many things and makes a consistent and impressive effort into the local community and the world.”
Volunteer Efforts
Chavez completed 150 hours of community service during her senior year. She has completed similar amounts each year of her high school career. Some of the organizations that Chavez volunteered for include:
- SART Training and Presentations (trained through SAVA)
- Community Parks and School Ground Clean Up (Won Miss Teen Eco Colorado)
- Assisted with CLD (language developer) Teacher at Chappelow K-8 (Helped Kindergarten through 2nd-grade students with their English speaking skills)
- NHS Coat Drive
- Ivan's Crib
- AVID: tutoring
- Dream Team: helped with different events
- Weld Food Bank
- Rise Above Colorado
- Trunk or Treat for Drive 'n Motion
History
National Youth Services Day Awards recognize the power of youth service. They reinforce to young Americans the importance of helping others. The Greeley Youth Commission accepts nominations each year for individuals who have performed outstanding community service.
The Greeley Youth Commission is a student-run governing body whose goal is to get young people involved in leadership roles in the community.
For more information about National Youth Service Day Awards or the Greeley Youth Commission, please contact Brecken Arnold at 970-350-9771 or at brecken.arnold@greeleygov.com.
Pictured: Maddie Zeller – Youth Commission Chair (left), Mayor John Gates (center), Merelyn Chavez (right)
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Release Date:
Apr 20, 2023