Printer Friendly Version - Eleven Local Student-Athletes Receive President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Medals

Eleven students who train at Branford World Champion Taekwondo were presented with The President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Medals for performing more than 100 hours of volunteer community service. Pictured are (front) Emilie Agamie, Ramy Tantawny, Nathan Oh, and Arya Nadgouda; (middle) Master Kyeongseob Han, Jake Coveyduck, Eric Min, Liev Shpitalnik, Kelsey Lee, and Alan Kolchaev; and (back) Master Jason Guk. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Shpitalnik

Eleven student-athletes who train at Branford World Champion Taekwondo recently received The President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Medals that were presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Points of Light Foundation.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and permanent residents who have achieved the required number of hours of community service either during a 12-month timespan or cumulative hours throughout the course of a lifetime. Awards are designated based on cumulative hours. All of the Branford students achieved the highest level of recognition—gold medal status—for volunteering for more than 100 hours each at the Branford World Champion Taekwondo studio.

Along with the ultimate honor of Presidential recognition, the recipients also received personalized award certificates, an official President’s Volunteer Service Award gold medallion, and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States, Donald Trump.

The award winners from Branford World Champion Taekwondo are Sean St. Pierre (age 16), Alan Khoultchaev (14), Kelsey Le (14), Eric Min (14), Ethan Piazza (14), Liev Shpitalnik (14), Arya Nadgouda (13), Nathan Oh (13), Emilie Agamie (12), Jake Coveyduck (11), and Ramy Tantawy (10).

The President’s Volunteer Service Award was started in 2003 as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by example, have inspired others to engage in volunteer service. Through its mission of inspiring more to answer the call to service, the President’s Volunteer Service Award celebrates the impact that people can make by bettering their communities and the world in general. The program is designed to encourage more individuals to embody the spirit of volunteerism. Through the program, Americans of all ages participate and are recognized by the President for being active citizens.

Branford World Champion Taekwondo is a member of the larger World Champion Taekwondo family of studios that are located throughout Connecticut. Students from all 14 studios across Connecticut also won President’s Volunteer Service awards. All totaled, 58 students from World Champion Taekwondo students won awards.

For info about The President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Corporation for National and Community Service, visit www.presidentialerviceawards.gov or www.nationalservice.gov.