The young women at IHA seem to naturally possess a heart for serving those on the margins. It’s not uncommon to have school-sponsored service event sign ups filled within moments of being opened, or mission trips with waiting lists tens of girls long.
This year, however, IHA’s women have raised the bar for themselves. Every year, the Presidential Volunteer Service Award is awarded to teens, young adults, and adults who demonstrate substantial service to their own community. For the 2014-2015 school year, 59 IHA students will be recognized with the medal. In addition, IHA’s faculty members have also been given the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award medal for group service, in recognition of all of the service they give to their own communities. The awards will be distributed at a May 7th assembly, and each student will receive a medal and a letter from President Barack Obama.
Mrs. Sarah Shutrop, campus minister for service at IHA, explained, “To have this many students recognized with such a high honor for community service is just a snapshot of the type of young women who make up this community. I’m thrilled for them, but I can’t say that I’m surprised. In my time at IHA I have encountered a brand of millennial women whose compassion, dedication, and awareness should give the world great hope for the future.”