Radnor Seniors' Volunteer Work Earns National Recognition

RADNOR, PA – A pair of Radnor High School seniors were recently honored for their exemplary volunteer service, according to the Radnor Township School District.

Seniors Emily Chen and Macie Plotkin received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their dedication to volunteering.

The award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country and is granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, the district said.

Chen is the founder and president of RHS’s Operation Smile Club, which raises funds and collects urgently needed supplies for the international medical charity Operation Smile. Operation Smile has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other dental and facial conditions. This year, Emily and the Operation Smile Club organized a charity event at a nearby church with other local Operation Smile clubs and students.

Chen previously served as a student coordinator of the annual RHS Thanksgiving Dinner and co-founded a nonprofit with her sister called Connie & Emily Helping Hands, Inc. She is the president of Peer Tutoring at RHS, a member of Model United Nations, an editor of the school's newspaper and interns for the Radnor Township Board of Health.

Plotkin has been involved with Best Buddies Radnor since 9th-grade and is in her second year co-president. Best Buddies Radnor is a chapter of Best Buddies International, a nationally and internationally recognized organization that pairs peers of typical intellect with those who have an intellectual disability. As co-president, Plotkin plans events and activities for the Radnor chapter and organizes the group’s representation at state-wide events. Last July, she attended the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference in Indiana.

Plotkin completes monthly service activities with the National Honors Society and is a member of the SpeakUp! student leadership committee. She also participates in Student Government as the Executive Director of Student Affairs. In this position, Plotkin helps organize school-wide events and activities, such as LM Week and RHS's Courtyard Renovation Project, and works with RHS administration to solve issues that may arise during the school year.

"The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities," said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community."

Congratulations Emily and Macie!

Image via Radnor Township School District