ESD Honors 2024-25 Students with National President’s Volunteer Service Award
April 29, 2025
This week, members of the Upper School community gathered to honor an inspiring group of students who were named recipients of the 2024–2025 President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). Collectively, these dedicated students contributed an extraordinary 11,224 hours of service, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Established in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the PVSA recognizes individuals whose volunteer service has a positive impact on communities across the nation. Students receiving this award have been recognized for inspiring others through their commitment, leadership, and example. This year’s recipients serve as role models for their peers, embodying the core values of compassion, empathy, and civic responsibility.
Courtney Phelps, Director of Community Service Learning, opened the award ceremony with remarks emphasizing not only the importance of service but also the deeper values that shape meaningful leadership. Drawing from recent interviews with students applying for the school’s Community Service Council, Phelps highlighted an unexpected yet powerful theme: listening.
“Of the 35 students I interviewed,” Phelps shared, “almost every single one mentioned listening as a key leadership value—listening to make sure all voices are heard, listening to understand community needs, and listening to build consensus.”
Phelps dissected the distinction between hearing and active listening, encouraging students to reflect deeply on the root causes of the issues they engage with in their service work, saying, “Hearing gives us a surface-level view, but listening invites us to understand the systems and circumstances behind a problem—and that leads to more lasting, impactful solutions.”
This focus on empathy and reflection resonated with the school’s mission to ignite a life of purpose, reminding students and attendees that service is not only about time spent—it’s about intention, awareness, and a genuine desire to uplift others.
Congratulations to all the 2024–25 President’s Volunteer Service Award recipients. Your service has not only transformed lives, but you’ve set a standard for what it means to lead with heart. We are grateful for the light you bring into the world, and we are proud of the example you set for others.”
