Community Service Youth Awards

Sponsored by Bank of Alameda

The Youth Community Services Award was first instituted by Alameda Family Services and, last year, was incorporated into the City of Heroes Awards. In addition to receiving the Heroes Award from Bank of Alameda, each of this year’s recipients will also receive a $200 Savings Bond from Alameda Family Services.

Sara Heaps, a senior at Encinal High, has logged over 500 community service hours playing a leadership role in a number of school and community activities. She is cofounder of Girls Incorporated Teen Program, working to stop teen dating violence and helping teen-age girls combat depression. She is Encinal's Prom Chair and Activities Chair, and is also Founder and President of Junior Statesman of America. Helping coordinate her peers, she was a key volunteer during the Measure C and A campaigns.

Sarah Lopes is the Island High representative to the School Board, advocating for students who tend to be overlooked. Serving as a strong voice for youth, she keeps the School Board and the community aware of the unique issues facing Island High students. Sarah dropped out of school after the death of her mother, but later returned to school, brought up her grades, and assumed a leadership role with her peers. A member of Close-Up she has traveled to Washington D.C., to learn first-hand how national politics work.

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