HFM PTECH sophomore Gianna Merendo of Amsterdam has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.
The award, which recognizes those who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.
Merendo applied for the award and was nominated by PTECH for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service. Her volunteer work includes organizing activities at Hillcrest Spring, an adult home in Amsterdam, and helping with children’s activities through HealthLink, Nathan Littauer Hospital’s wellness education and resource center.
“I like helping people a lot,” Merendo said, adding that volunteering to assist elderly people is especially rewarding because “having young faces there makes them happy.”
Through the PTECH program, Merendo is working toward an associate degree in Health Studies from Fulton Montgomery Community College. She plans to continue her studies after FMCC to pursue a bachelor’s degree in forensics.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across the United States for outstanding volunteer service.
