The Sunnyvale Sun

Community

Teen earns Presidential Volunteer Service Award

By Beth Hobbs

Like most 17 year olds, Jessica Noyer is a conscientious student who does her schoolwork, hangs out with friends, and enjoys extracurricular activities, such as theater and community service. Unlike most teens, Jessica is a home-schooled student, who for years has directed her own curriculum and activities, including the 152 hours of community service that in 2006 earned her the bronze President's Volunteer Service Award.

Those hours included the time she spent creating the California Homeschool Prom, which she thought up during a shopping trip to the mall.

"I saw a dress and thought about how home-schooled students miss out on dances. I could have gotten someone to invite me to a prom, but that just would have been selfish," she says.

To accomplish this she recruited her aunt, Selinda Bem-Shirley who is a catering manager, her mother and father, Delaine and Chris Noyer and other family members.

Using email, public service announcements, home-schooling networks, and their own funding initially, they put on an "Enchanted Bayou" fete for 100 students throughout California. Her efforts caught the attention of Teen Vogue magazine, and the British Broadcasting Company which were both doing specials on American proms. Jessica was interviewed by both the magazine and the BBC.

The Campbell teen's take-charge approach to life began after first grade when she was envious of her brother who was being home-schooled.

"I saw him doing exciting things, taking field trips, and spending time with Mom, and I wanted that, too," she says.

Jessica's mother began teaching both children, and soon gave Jessica the responsibility for managing her own academics and activities. By age 15, while juggling community service and theater interests, the teen had earned enough academic units to graduate from high school and began taking classes at Foothill College.

While continuing to take college preparation classes, Jessica began volunteering at EHC LifeBuilders formerly known as the Emergency Housing Consortium. The nonprofit helps people deal with homelessness and life issues. At the nonprofit Jessica assists with food preparation and service.

She says, "You get to know them as people, not homeless."

She has also volunteered at Sacred Heart Community Service, Christmas in the Park and the Bethel Church Christmas Spectacular.

Perhaps the organization that elicits the fondest memories, however, is a small, private school, The School of Choice College Preparatory Academy, she attended in Sunnyvale. Jessica found support and assistance with supplementary classes that were needed to apply to Stanford, and for advanced placement test preparation. When the school suffered the sudden death of an administrator, Jessica began helping with office work and other jobs to keep the facility running smoothly.

Having accumulated 255 hours of community service, Jessica continues to work toward her goal of receiving the 4,000-hour lifetime President's Call to Service award.

She encourages others to participate in community service because it is fun and, she says, "It makes a direct difference. You can do it as a group with friends. That's the best way to do it. If you speak Spanish, lots of preschools could use you. If you love animals, shelters can use you to play with puppies. And if you are a chef, go cook for the homeless. It is healthy for your community and healthy for yourself. So do it."

The President's Volunteer Service Award program, established in 2003 by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, recognizes individual service to communities. Bronze, silver, and gold awards are presented for the level of service hours earned over a 12-month period. For more information about the award, visit www.presdentialserviceawards.gov.