The undergraduate student government recently raised $15,000 to reward students for their volunteer and leadership efforts – securing funding for the John Hoang Sarvey Leadership in Service Award for another year.
At least 10 winners will be chosen for this year’s John Sarvey Award, a $1,000 award given to students who display a strong commitment to helping underserved communities.
Students can apply for the award through an application currently available on the Undergraduate Students Association Council Community Service Commission’s website until April 20.
In previous years, the award has been inconsistently funded.
Chancellor Gene Block’s office gave $60,000 in funds for the first scholarships, which were distributed in the 2010-2011 school year. The money was supposed to be distributed in a two-year timespan, but instead was distributed in one year to 60 students who each received $1,000.
Two years ago, Janina Montero, vice chancellor of student affairs, gave $30,000 to the scholarship’s fund, which officers distribute to 40 scholarships of $750 each.
Last year, theUSACCommunity Service Commission and the Office of the President secured enough funding for five $1,000 scholarships.
This year, USAC President John Joanino and Community Service Commissioner Omar Arce have secured about $15,000 for the award from Chancellor Gene Block’s office, Montero’s office and alumni donations, Joanino said.
Joanino added that he and Arce are currently working to obtain further funding. This year, the USAC officers said they plan to set aside enough money to ensure that students will be able to receive awards next year.
Over the years, officers have changed the set of criteria used to select students.
The award was initially established as the “Community Service Scholarship” three years ago. Former Community Service Commissioner Anees Hasnain and other students in the commission renamed the award in commemoration of John Sarvey, a previous USAC Community Service commissioner and president, last year, after he passed away in 2012.
As a result, applicants are now selected according to a set of criteria based on a list of leadership qualities Sarvey compiled more than a decade ago. Each year, the application highlights one of these values and asks applicants how they think they embody it.
The application also asks students to describe their volunteering experiences and why they are significant to them.
Earning the scholarship last year helped Ruth Monzón, a fourth-year Spanish and community and culture student, pay for her student fees, she said. Monzón won the award for her leadership work in Amigos de UCLA, which tutors and mentors elementary and middle school students.
Monzón added that she is grateful that USAC has an award that honors volunteer-based service.
“The fact that we get recognized at the university for our work legitimizes what we do,” Monzón said.
An award ceremony will be held during spring quarter for the winners.