John Glenn High School student Abigail Rothleder recently received the 2022 Students Building Bridges Award, recognizing her work in initiating and coordinating numerous community service projects and her status as a role model for her classmates. She will be honored for her efforts in building bridges across communities and creating a more civil society at Long Island’s Holocaust Remembrance Day virtual program on May 5.
Rothleder, who serves as president of John Glenn’s National Honor Society, is also a member of the Community Service Club, Italian Club, Natural Helpers, and kickline and mock trial teams. She was a driving force behind the school’s Adopt-a-Family program that helped needy families in the Elwood community provide holiday gifts to each other. As a dedicated Girl Scout, she organized a districtwide book drive for the Book Fairies nonprofit, which helps provide reading materials to assist in literary and academic success, created cards for veterans and made meals for the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative. As a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport, she volunteers in the church nursery and as an acolyte. Rothleder has also served as a volunteer juror and attorney for the Huntington Youth Court, a youth-run program sponsored by the New York Bar Foundation which allows for youth offenders who have committed their first misdemeanor crime to have their case heard by a jury of their peers.
“It means so much that I am able to see families in need in my community and give back, because community service is something that I try to live by every day and make sure I’m implementing into my everyday life,” Rothleder said. “So, to be recognized for that with this award is so meaningful and I'm really grateful.”
“Abigail is a true leader and role model in her community,” said teacher Diane Locascio, who nominated Rothleder for the award. “She is an outstanding citizen who dedicates her life to helping her school and community, and it was an honor to nominate her.”
Date Added: 4/25/2022