Salesianum School Honored by Jefferson Awards as National Recipient for Outstanding Service by a High School

Salesianum School has been honored by the Jefferson Awards for Public Service Youth Service Initiative as the National Recipient for Outstanding Service by a High School. Student leaders from Salesianum will represent Salesianum, and the other 125 high schools nation wide that participate in the program, at the Jefferson Awards National Gala in Washington, D.C., June 15 – 17. According to the Jefferson Awards, Salesianum was recognized “as a result of the most effective implementation of the Jefferson Award system and more importantly, their outstanding track record and culture of service within their high school community.”

“The entire school community is extremely honored to receive this high honor from the Jefferson Awards,” said Rev. William McCandless, OSFS, principal. “This national recognition is a testament to the Salesian ideals that we strive to live and teach at Salesianum, especially service to the community.”

During the 2008-2009 school year, over 125 high schools touching over 80,000 students have provided leadership in implementing the Jefferson Awards-Deloitte Youth Service Initiative (YSI). This year, there were eight regions participating — Charleston, Chicago, Delaware, Central Florida, Memphis, San Francisco Bay Area, Savannah and Toledo. Each high school was challenged to form a leadership team responsible for specific deliverables aimed at increasing volunteerism at that high school. These teams were assisted through specific leadership and ethics training and by coaches provided by corporate partners and community volunteers.

Salesianum School is a Roman Catholic independent secondary school that teaches young men to Live Jesus, guided by the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales, through a college preparatory education, enabling them to take their place in the world as Salesian gentlemen.