Young Aquarium Volunteers Receive Presidential Service Awards
Nov 28, 2023 11:03PM ● By Mb News Staff
Award-winning young volunteers at the Roundhouse Aquarium in Manhattan Beach.
Eight of the young volunteers with the Oceanographic Teachings Stations, Inc., the nonprofit group that manages Manhattan Beach's Roundhouse Aquarium, have qualified for the coveted Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
The award recognizes individuals who have achieved an extraordinary number of volunteer service hours over a 12-month period - or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime - and celebrates their work to improve the quality of life in their communities.
“OTS is honored to be a partner organization with the President’s Volunteer Service Award
program and to bestow presidential honors to our volunteers,” said Grace Adams, executive director of OTS in a statement. “Our volunteers at the Roundhouse are integral and crucial to our ability to carry out our mission of providing standards-based education in ocean science and environmental conservation. The PVSA recognizes our volunteers’ work at the aquarium as well as their work with other community organizations.”
All told, the eight young volunteers dedicated 1,188 hours to community work.
The volunteers include:
Aquarium and Marine Biology Club
John Atadaini (17), a 12th grader at Hawthorne Math and Science Academy: 108 hours at the Roundhouse Aquarium
Grace Chen (18), a 12th grader at Mira Costa High School: 104 hours at the Roundhouse
Aquarium and Marine Biology Club
Jacob Chen (16), an 11th grader at Troy High School: 102 hours at the Roundhouse Aquarium and an animal shelter
Melanie Fuentes (19), a sophomore at Cal State Northridge: 430 hours at the Roundhouse Aquarium and tutoring
Carolina Hodgeon (16), a 10th grader at Mira Costa High School: 119 hours at the Roundhouse Aquarium
Danny Kim (16), a 10th grader at North Hollywood High School: 106 hours at the Roundhouse
Aquarium and with Boys Scouts of America
Amy Zhang (15), a 10th grader at Mira Costa High School: 105 hours at the Roundhouse Aquarium
Carolina Hodgeon (16), a 10th grader at Mira Costa High School: 119 hours at the Roundhouse Aquarium
Danny Kim (16), a 10th grader at North Hollywood High School: 106 hours at the Roundhouse
Aquarium and with Boys Scouts of America
Amy Zhang (15), a 10th grader at Mira Costa High School: 105 hours at the Roundhouse Aquarium
The PVSA recognizes and rewards volunteer time based on the following:
Kids (ages 5-10): Bronze, 26 – 49 hours; Silver, 50 – 74 hours; Gold, 75 + hours
Teens (ages 11–15): Bronze, 50 – 74 hours; Silver, 75 – 99 hours; Gold, 100 + hours
Young Adults (ages 16-25): Bronze, 100 – 174 hours; Silver, 175 – 249 hours; Gold, 250 + hours
Adults (26 and older): Bronze, 100 – 249 hours; Silver, 250 – 499 hours; Gold, 500+ hours
Families and Groups of two or more people, with each member contributing at least
25 hours toward the total: Bronze, 200 – 499 hours; Silver, 500 – 999 hours; Gold: 1,000 + hours
President’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Individuals who have completed 4,000 or more hours in their lifetime
The PVSA program is an initiative of the Corporation for National and
Community Service and is administered by Points of Light, the largest
organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service.
their service level, an official President’s Volunteer Service Award certificate and a letter of
recognition from the President of the United States.
Certifying organizations including the OTS go through an application and review process and an annual re-certification to maintain status with the program.
