Ouachita Green recently recognized outstanding local students for their volunteer service through the organization’s Love Where You Live Intern Program.
The youth leadership program encourages students from across Ouachita Parish to participate in litter prevention, beautification, recycling, and environmental education activities while earning valuable community service hours.
This year, 42 students from eight schools applied for the program, representing Calhoun Middle, Claiborne Christian, Good Hope, Homeschool, Neville, West Monroe, West Ouachita, and Wossman. Students in 8th through 12 grades participated in cleanup events, educational outreach, recycling programs, and community beautification projects throughout the school year.
Together, the interns donated 491 volunteer hours and recruited an additional 185 volunteers, resulting in a combined 1,036 hours of community service in 8 months, benefiting Ouachita Parish.
“Our interns proved that young people can make a tremendous difference in our community,” said Sheila Kay Downhour with Ouachita Green. “These students balanced school, extracurricular activities, family commitments, and athletics while still choosing to serve others and improve the environment around them.”
The 8th-9th Grade Highest Service Hours Award was presented to Lily Cobb, who contributed 76 volunteer hours during the eight-month program. Lily Cobb also earned the Volunteer Recruitment Award for 8th-9th Grade for bringing volunteers to nearly every event and recruiting a total of 58 volunteers.
The 10th-12th Grade Highest Service Hours Award was presented to Gracyn Farrar for outstanding dedication, dependability, and service throughout the year. The Volunteer Recruitment Award for 10th-12th Grade was presented to Obeonte Brown for consistently bringing family members and organizing additional cleanup participation.
During the recognition ceremony, Ouachita Green presented the Evergreen Spirit Award, which recognizes students for positive attitudes, determination, and community involvement, included:
- Antonett Ford
- Bryson Davis
- Ellery Prine
- Emma Smith
- Jillian Griggs
- John Hopfinger
- Kelsey Kendrick
- Maliyah Spears
- Mattie Smith
- Michael Griggs
Interns participated in major community events including Water Sweep, America Recycles Day, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, Fall Family Fun Fest, Love the Boot Week, and numerous local cleanup and beautification projects.
Ouachita Green also recognized the support of parents, guardians, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners who helped make the program successful.