News: April 29, 2005

NEWS Update: April 29, 2005

Time Warner Cable honors six area youth for service to their communitiesBloomington, April 29, 2005 -- Minnesota Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren was the guest speaker today at the Time Warner Youth Service Awards luncheon celebrating the selection of six students who contribute time and energy to making their communities a better place to live. In its eleventh year, the awards program solicits nominations of students who live in the Time Warner Cable broadcast area and provide service to their schools, churches, and community organizations.

Forty-five students were nominated this year. The following six students received the award, which includes a savings bond and a donation from Time Warner Cable to a charity of their choice:

Paul "PJ" Banwart, age 14, is a ninth-grade student at Shakopee Junior High School. Paul is the sole sponsor of the Adopt-A-Park for Jackson Park, where he initiated a forestry project and conducts the annual cleaning of more than 30 wood duck and bird boxes. Paul also volunteers for the Pine Tree Leadership Camp, the Cub Scouts, student council, and the National Junior Honor Society. In addition, he plays the bugle at funerals and memorial ceremonies. Paul hopes that his work will inspire others to become more involved in their communities.

Sarah E. Brown and Erica Siverston, seniors at South High School in Minneapolis, co founded the Silver Ribbon Campaign, a high school group that helps students and teachers understand mental illness and encourage treatment. Both Sarah and Erica have family members who have been diagnosed with mental illness. Together they lead meetings and activities; within one year, the group sponsored 22 different activities, wrote grants, and developed a relationship with the National Alliance for The Mentally Ill-Minnesota.

Sarah has spoken before funding committees, political rallies, and is an advocate for legislation to improve care for the mentally ill. Erica volunteers at homeless shelters and coaches a basketball team made up of young girls who learn both athletic skills and fair play. In addition, she was a volunteer for the Young Voter's Project for the 2004 presidential election.

Both Sarah and Erica exemplify the concept of community building and make their community a better place to live.

Nissma Eldeeb has mentored students through the Bloomington Schools' Volunteer Connection since 2001. She tutors elementary students as a dedicated volunteer with the Homework Connection and she helps at-risk students with math, spelling, social studies, and after-school programs. A senior at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Nissma also finds time to mentor sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students at Galaxy Youth Center. Of Egyptian heritage and fluent in Arabic, she mentored a Jordanian student new to the United States. She is passionate about helping children from all cultures.

Katherine Hember has served the youth ministry in her parish as a speaker, small-group facilitator, and retreat planner. She has also served as a member of her parish's Youth Advisory Council, a lector, volunteer for parish events, and an altar server. Her current project involves reconstructing and painting the parish youth room. In addition, she had taken on many leadership roles in her long tenure with her 4-H club. A senior at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School in St. Louis Park, Katherine is involved in school athletics, peer ministry, tutoring, and various committees. She inspires others to get involved in their communities.

Emma Paskewitz has been active in student council since she was in the fifth grade. A junior at Southwest High School in Minneapolis, Emma currently serves on the student council executive board. This past year she played a major role in organizing and implementing "Blast Days," an event designed to inspire all students to participate in service projects. She helped organize a "homeless sleep out" fundraiser to to raise awareness about homelessness and "raking days" in the school's neighborhood. As a representative of the City Wide Student Government, Emma works directly with the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education and the superintendent on student issues. She is also active with Alianza, a group created to promote leadership in the school's Latino community.