In celebration of their dedication to service both before and after the tornado destroyed their school and devastated their community, student leaders from Lake High School were honored in Washington, D.C. in late June as the Toledo-area recipients of Jefferson Awards for Outstanding Service By a High School.

Lake students were among 103 award recipients at the 39th annual Jefferson Awards, which are regarded as one of the nation’s highest honors for community service and volunteerism.

Lake was one of only two schools to be honored with a video presentation during the festivities.

Lake High School Students In Action President Casey Witt, joined by his parents (Lake Superintendent Jim and Diane) is pictured at the Jefferson Awards Gala Dinner.

Known as the “Nobel Prize” for public service, the awards are presented each year over two days of ceremonies in the nation’s capital and New York City. A broad array of honorees are recognized – including high-profile individuals who have dedicated the better part of their lives to public service; professional athletes; community-based volunteers; organizations and companies that represent the pinnacle in corporate citizenship and schools that best reflect the Jeffersonian ideals of citizen involvement.

The strategy of the youth program, called Students in Action (SIA), is to create leadership teams in each school that celebrate great volunteers, inspire others to get involved and raise additional resources to expand volunteer activities in areas of need in the community.

Lake was chosen for best exemplifying the programs goals and expanding the volunteer capacity in their school and throughout the greater-Toledo community. Currently, 16 Toledo-area high schools participate in the local SIA program, which is coordinated by Leadership Toledo.

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