Massapequa High School seniors John Latini and Evan Ryan were recognized for their community service by the 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program. The program grants awards on behalf of President Barack Obama to those who have volunteered a significant amount of time to better their communities. Both winners received an awards certificate and a letter from the President.
Latini, an award winner three years in a row, won the President’s Volunteer Service Award for logging in nearly 200 hours of community service this year, mainly for two causes. A devoted volunteer for Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization, which works to train dogs for people with disabilities, Latini helped organize a Dog Fest to raise awareness of service and guide dogs for the organization.
“I put together volunteers from my Boy Scout Troop to help coordinate the logistics, such as the set up and break down of the event,” said the Eagle Scout, who also ran a highly successful donation drive for his church, Our Lady of Grace in Babylon, by collecting more than 1,500 pounds of food, school supplies and toiletries. Driving its success, Latini canvased communities for two weeks, handing out fliers and bags for residents and business owners to fill, then returned to collect and deliver them to his church for distribution. The effort earned him his Boys Scout Eagle Award.
Latini has been a member of the varsity swimming and diving team since eighth grade and helps children get over their fear of the water and learn how to swim and has also helped train swimmers for the Special Olympics. After graduation, he plans to study engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Ryan received the Local Honoree Award for his efforts to collect food for the New Life Lutheran Social Services Center in Uniondale, which is affiliated with St. David’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Massapequa. He collected about 60 pounds of food by spreading the word on Facebook and through family and friends. Ryan will soon start his Eagle Scout project, which involves beautifying the front of his church with new landscaping. In addition to his volunteer efforts, Ryan is a member of the Mock Trial team, interns for Senator Charles Schumer’s office and sings with the a cappella group, Crooners. He plans to study political science in college and attend law school.
“We applaud these students for contributing hundreds of selfless hours to help those in need in their community,” said principal Dr. Barbara Williams. “Their efforts are highly commendable and are shining examples for their peers to emulate.”
—Submitted by Massapequa Public Schools
