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 Karina
Harris of Oakland and Martina Ledezma of Delano, both California State
University, Fresno students who volunteer with the Jumpstart early
education program, are among 10 award recipients nationwide of the
American Eagle Outfitters Spirit of Service Awards.
The Spirit of Service honor was developed as part of the company’s
national partnership with Jumpstart to recognize outstanding leadership
among the 4,000 college students who are Jumpstart Corps members. Each
honoree receives a $1,000 scholarship for use at their school.
Harris, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pre-physical therapy,
specializing in children, joined the Jumpstart Corps as a freshman in
2007.
She has worked extensively with Fresno preschoolers to develop crucial
early-learning skills, mentored fellow corps members and organized
several service days and fundraisers, generating both awareness and
resources for Jumpstart in Fresno.
 Ledezma,
in her fourth year as a Jumpstart Corps member, has completed more than
1,100 hours of service. She is a liberal studies major who plans to be a
teacher.
“I have learned that there are many things we can do to help those in
need in our community and make our community a better environment to
live in,” Ledezma said. “Not only did Jumpstart help me make an impact,
it helped me decide that teaching is what I want to do.”
Jumpstart, a national nonprofit organization, works with 10,000
preschool children throughout the U.S. by pairing them with adults in
one-to-one tutoring relationships to improve literacy, language and
social skills. In Fresno, Jumpstart trains and supports 75 Fresno State
students and 30 Fresno City College students who serve over 340 at-risk
preschool children in 17 classrooms.
For more information, contact Jumpstart director Neil Dion at
559.278.8846 or ndion@csufresno.edu.
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