Student Receives Volunteering Award from Obama

Environmentalist mover and shaker Victoria Pan, a junior at RHS, is now the proud recipient of a volunteering award issued by President Barack Obama.

Pan, the co-president of Students for Environmental Action, was selected for the Prudential Spirit of Community thanks to her lead on the , which features SEA members hustling around the high school, turning off lights and helping the school realize big energy savings, reportedly in the six figures.

"It's truly an honor to receive this award," Pan said. "It motivates me to continue volunteering and hopefully it will inspire more young people to give back to the community."

Pan was recommended for the prestigious award by SEA teacher advisor Anjali Shah. She also helped spearhead the , which drew hundreds and featured a large plastic tree, made almost entirely of plastic water bottles that had been collected during one day at the East Ridgewood Ave school.

Pan also participated in a leadership program, "Alliance for Climate Education" in New York with students and teachers from around the area.

She is pictured here with Principal Jack Lorenz, Guidance Counselor Margret Friedrich, and Ms. Shah.