For the last six years, Gabrielle Patrick has volunteered her summer vacation to students with disabilities, helping with everything from art projects to feeding them and walking them down the hallway.
Inspired to become a pediatric physical therapist, the York High student has also spent time visiting with nursing home residents.
For her compassion, Patrick has earned an Outstanding Youth Award from York County.
She is one of four county high school students who have proven their zeal for excellence in the community. For outstanding character and achievement in four categories, this year’s other winners are Owen Robinson for Community Service, Erin Baxley for Courage and Kiran Bagalkotkar for Overall Achievement.
All are seniors who hail from each of the county’s four high schools.
Bruton High’s Robinson volunteers many of his hours coaching his sister’s soccer team. For those farther from home, Robinson has worked on humanitarian relief projects like Dollars for Darfur and traveled to Haiti to offer aid.
Baxley is a student at Grafton who has overcome personal obstacles while maintaining a 4.4 grade point average. Active in extracurricular activities, Baxley also volunteers at the Tabb Library.
At Tabb High School, Bagalkotkar stays busy with four sports, youth coaching, tutoring, Key Club, Student Council, and as a Virginia Girl’s State delegate and member of the Governor’s Appointed Cabinet. With a flair for journalism, she serves as editor-in-chief of the Tiger Times Newspaper. Bagalkotkar does it while earning straight A’s throughout high school and membership into a number of honor societies.
The four students were presented with their awards at the May 20 York County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Celebrating its 25th year, the Outstanding Youth Award Program was started in a joint effort between the board and its younger conduit to the public — the York County Youth Commission — to share the successes of county teens.
After being nominated by teachers, relatives, coaches and friends, the list of students is narrowed down by a selection committee of supervisors, school board members and youth commissioners. The chosen winners in each category receive a Jefferson Cup, $500 educational scholarship and a board resolution recognizing the accomplishment.
