2 Worcester Students Earn Local Community Service Awards

WORCESTER, MA — Two high school seniors in Worcester received local youth community service awards, Worcester Public Schools announced last week.

North High School seniors Lilianna Medeiros and Chelsea Okantey were named recipients of local community service awards. Medeiros was named a Dr. George Storms Smith Community Service Award Recipient, while Okantey received the Inaugural Isaiah Thomas Youth Community Service Award.

Medeiros was presented with the award on Saturday at Worcester State University's Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Breakfast. The award recognizes youth who exemplify the teachings of MLK Jr.

“It means a lot. It makes me happy knowing with the home-life I have had, taking care of family and being very busy outside of school, I am still recognized for all I do in school," Medeiros said, according to a news release.

Medeiros takes Honors and Advanced Placement courses, has earned more than 12 college credits, and maintained Honor Roll status. She also worked on an art project that raised awareness on the addictive nature of vaping, and volunteers with the Worcester East Middle School theater program.

Meantime, Okantey was the first recipient of the Isaiah Thomas Youth Community Service Award, presented in partnership with the Worcester Regional Research Bureau.

The award recognizes youth who demonstrate community spirit, leadership and civic responsibility, the school district said.

“I feel very honored,” Okantey said, according to the release. “I do what I do because I love helping out. I was not expecting any award for helping people so it was just such a great honor. Telling my family I won something brought them so much joy, both here and in Ghana.”

Okantey immigrated to the U.S. from Ghana. She holds a 4.44 GPA, has completed Honors, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, and Early College coursework, and graduated with 12 college credits. She is also completing a Health Science internship at UMass Memorial Hospital.

She has also completed more than 200 hours of community service, and serves as the secretary of the National Honor Society, and president of the Bring Change 2 Mind Club. She is also involved in Student Council, the Black Student Union and GEAR UP.

OKantey will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship as part of the award to help support her future academic pursuits.

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