OAHS senior Heather Way to receive Hearts & Hands Service Award

Additional Class of 2012 Awards

Oxford Area High School senior Heather Way, daughter of Kelly and Brad Way, is the recipient of the 2012 Hearts & Hands Youth Service Award sponsored by Family Service of Chester County. The award is presented to a female Chester County high school student who is committed to community service and the belief that young people can make a difference.

Heather will receive the award at the annual Hearts & Hands Father Daughter Charity Ball to benefit Family Service of Chester County. The ball, which will be attended by approximately 100 girls in kindergarten through eighth grade along with a male chaperone, will be held on Saturday, February 25 at the Mendenhall Inn.

According to event chair Maia Tolsdorf, the Hearts & Hands award recognizes young adults who demonstrate a “passion and dedication to helping, whether their cause is supporting the hungry, the homeless, abused animals, the environment, the disabled, or responding to other local needs.” Heather was nominated for the award by faculty member Basia Manniso and the high school guidance department.

Oxford Area High School senior Heather Way is the 2012 recipient of the Hearts & Hands Youth Service Award sponsored by Family Service of Chester County. She is pictured with teacher Basia Manniso, who nominated Heather for the award.

Ms. Tolsdorf said that while the Hearts & Hands event includes traditional ball activities, throughout the evening the girls in attendance learn about the needs of low-income families living in Chester County, what local charities are doing to improve their community, and how the girls can get involved. Heather will have the opportunity to present a brief speech during the dinner program.

Heather has been a member of the school’s Helping Hands Community Service Club since her freshman year, and is also a member of National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America. She is president of LEOs, a community service club sponsored by the Oxford Lions Club, and the Student Renaissance Committee, which recognizes students for academic performance and positive impact on the school environment.

Heather has participated in cross-country for three years, joining the varsity as a senior. She has also played field hockey and helped organize the high school’s lacrosse club. This fall she plans to study biology at Clemson University.
In nominating Heather for the award, Ms. Manniso highlighted her service with the Student Renaissance Committee and the LEOs Club, for which Ms. Manniso is advisor. She noted that both organizations were established in the past two school years and much of their success is directly due to Heather’s hard work.

“If not for Heather’s dedication and organizational skills, these new committees would never have gotten off the ground,” said Ms. Manniso.

The Student Renaissance Committee (SRC) recognizes students for attendance, good grades, clean discipline records, and other achievements. “Each marking period, the recognized students are awarded various privileges and are invited to special socials coordinated by the SRC,” said Ms. Manniso. “Heather was able to coordinate a group of volunteers to create, gather data for and implement what has turned out to be an incredibly successful program. She took the lead and we cannot thank her enough.”

Ms. Manniso added that Heather was remarkably effective in making the LEOs Club a reality after the local Lions Club asked the high school administration to consider adding an Oxford chapter of Lions International’s student service organization. “Heather jumped at the chance,” she said. “Last year was our first and this year Heather has taken the helm as president, and we have already done tremendous work in helping at Lions fundraising events as well as planning our own.”

During the remainder of the school year, LEOs plans several activities designed to assist and honor Oxford’s veterans, including helping older veterans with snow removal on their property. “We also want to hold a memorial service for deceased veterans from our area,” said Heather, adding that upcoming LEOs projects also include collecting teddy bears for patients at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a dance-a-thon to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Heather credited Ms. Manniso, who teaches psychology and civics and is involved in several community service projects at the high school each year, with inspiring her to commit to helping others. “I’m a Christian and I believe that God calls us to serve others,” she said. “Ms. Manniso has helped me to put what I believe into action. She always encourages her students to be aware of what’s going on in their community and to give back.”

“There are some students who come along in a teacher’s career who are so amazing, so bright, so mature and able that words cannot adequately express their full potential,” said Ms. Manniso. “Heather stands out as one of those exceptional students. She is a great team leader and knows how to get others involved in helping their school and community. Heather is a natural self-starter but also knows how to motivate others to do a great job. She is a wonderful role model and always leads by example. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this special recognition.”