Lynbrook High School junior James Parco was recently honored with the bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding community service efforts. James, along with junior Madeline Doyle, were also both commended by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program as a local honoree. Created by Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the program recognizes middle and high school students each year for their outstanding service at the local, state and national level.

As a President’s Volunteer Service Award winner, James had to complete a significant amount of volunteer hours. With this distinction, he received a certificate and congratulatory letter from the President of the United States. 

During the summer, James and his mother traveled with about 16 people in the agency America World Adoption, to do volunteer work in Kyrgyzstan, a country in Central Asia. Here, James worked with orphans for about two weeks, traveling to six different orphanages. 

“We played with the kids and there were some medical evaluations we had to do,” he said. “It was a really amazing experience.” 

James is also a leader in his school community as a member of the high school’s National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, track team and school newspaper (Horizon). He has also served as a counselor for the past two years in Lynbrook’s Summer Playground program. 

Madeline has also played a strong role in her community. She created a mentoring program for the Lynbrook Village Pool swim team and the summer leading into her freshman and sophomore year, Madeline spent every morning teaching a group of about 12 children how to swim. As a Girl Scout, she is committed to community service and even received her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can obtain in the organization. At Lynbrook High School, Madeline is also on the school’s varsity swim team and is involved in the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. 

Congratulations, James and Madeline! We are so proud of you!