By Neil Doyle
BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington High School senior is the winner of this year’s Harry Hightower Youth Community Service Award.
Jacquelyn Alzebdieh was honored at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in September.
The award was named after the late Mr. Harry Hightower, a past president of the local NAACP branch and former treasurer fo the Illinois State Conference of NAACP branches. It was created to acknowledge the efforts of a minority high school senior who embraces the spirit of diversity while being enthusiastically engaged in community service.
Alzebdieh’s community service activities include Best Buddies, Community Garden Volunteer, Western Avenue Tutoring and food pantry, Blankets for the Homeless, and Letters to Soldiers. She also is a blood donor and regular visitor to nursing home residents.
“It’s pretty much how I grew up, my mom has always taught us to give back to people,” said Alzebdieh. “We’ve never been the most fortunate people so we’ve always wanted to help others because we’ve been in need at some point in time.”
Alzebdieh said getting involved can turn a bad day into a good one.
“If I’m feeling down, just going out and volunteering makes me feel happy again and refreshed,” she said.
Alzebdieh will graduate early from BHS in December. Her future plans include joining the Air Force and then attending Clark Atlanta University.
Neil Doyle can be reached at neil.doyle@cumulus.com
