Orrington teen earns volunteer service award

BANGOR – John Bapst Memorial High School Headmaster Landis Green announced that junior Anna Schwarcz has been honored for exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of time to serve their communities and their country, was presented by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Since 2002, Schwarcz has trained dogs to serve as companions for the disabled. During that period, she worked with eight service dogs, providing for their care, grooming and training.

One aspect of training involved socializing, the process of helping the dogs become more comfortable around people and exposing them to situations a client might encounter. Schwarcz used her school setting in this process. The dogs accompanied her to classes, appointments and sporting events regularly.

According to Green, “Anna’s service dogs became a part of our school community while they were here, connecting us to a world with which many of us have little involvement. Having service dogs trained here at school benefited not only the dog’s new owners, but all of us as well.”

Sponsored by the Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities. Each year, volunteer activities are judged on personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.

“All of these extraordinary young people exemplify the spirit of community that is so important to the future of our cities, towns and neighborhoods,” wrote Art Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example.”

Anna is the daughter of Arthur and Mary Ann Schwarcz of Orrington.