from staff
University of North Florida students Noel San Antonio, Victoria Elian, Christina Kanhai and Valerie Mathias all have something in common: outstanding records of volunteerism. As a result, all four students have been recognized for their caring spirits. The students were all recognized yesterday during a luncheon held at Epping Forest in Mandarin.
San Antonio and Elian were both awarded the 2009-2010 Albert D. Ernest Jr. Caring Award, which recognizes a student who demonstrates the spirit of caring, humanitarianism and volunteerism exemplified by Albert D. Ernest Jr. They each will receive a bronze sculpture created by Frank Eliscu, designer of the Heisman Trophy, the Oval Office’s Presidential Eagle and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. They also will receive a cash award for a charity of their choice.
Kanhai and Mathias are recipients of the 2009 Bill & Angie Halamandaris Caring Internship. The students will intern at the Heart of America Foundation in Washington, D.C. this summer for eight to 10 weeks. Heart of America Foundation is a national, nonsectarian, nonpartisan, nonprofit, humanitarian organization that celebrates, honors and empowers young adults who enrich the human race with the quality of their lives.