Teen Volunteers in Action celebrates the Class of 2018
Teen Volunteers in Action, (TVIA) SD-1 celebrated 24 seniors at their Senior Send Off reception held at Canyon Crest Academy May 6. The majority of the graduating teens have been members of TVIA since they were in 7th grade, and collectively invested more than 1,750 hours serving the San Diego community. Graduating from 10 local high schools, these young men are heading to a diverse array of colleges and universities across the country. The graduating teens represent schools throughout San Diego: Canyon Crest Academy, San Dieguito Academy, The Bishop’s School, La Costa Canyon, La Jolla Country Day, Pacific Ridge, Francis Parker School, Santa Fe Christian, St. Augustine High School, and Torrey Pines High School.
The featured speaker for the event was Lex Gillette, a globally recognized Paralympic track and field athlete who competes for Team USA. Competing primarily in the long jump, Gillette has acquired four Paralympic medals, and three world champion titles, with his most recent long jump crown being won in the summer of 2017 in London, England.
Gillette’s inspirational stories challenged the boys to see past their current reality to understand there is more to life than what is in front of their eyes.
He imparted the message and exemplifies, “No Need for Sight When You Have a Vision.”
The TVIA seniors reflected on their years of service noting how important TVIA and community volunteerism became to them in light of their own fortunate circumstances. Each senior also spoke of their future plans and goals, and shared how their exposure to volunteerism has shaped their outlook and focus.
In keeping with TVIA’s philanthropic mission, TVIA donated bedding and other items to be put in duffel bags for seniors graduating from San Pasqual Academy, a residential campus for foster teens.
TVIA is an organization of young men committed to developing community leaders through a structured program of volunteerism, philanthropy and personnel growth. More information is at www.tvia.org.
Class of 2018: Kellen Andrew, La Costa Canyon; Hunter Ayyad, Pacific Ridge School; David Barrett, Francis Parker School; Connor Barry, St. Augustine High School; Louie Bickett, Torrey Pines High School; Chance Billick, San Dieguito Academy; Kendall Burnett, Torrey Pines High School Craig Preston Dupper, La Costa Canyon; Max Greenhalgh , Canyon Crest Academy; Benjamin Hydo , Torrey Pines High School; Tysen McKinney, Canyon Crest Academy; Matthew Moses, La Jolla Country Day School; Andrew James Nawrocki , Francis Parker School; Borna Nazari, Francis Parker School; Will Nunes , San Dieguito Academy; Matthew O’Donnell, La Costa Canyon; Hunter Penrose, Francis Parker School; Tanner Penrose, Francis Parker School; Patrick Rahilly , San Dieguito Academy; Brian Stowe, La Costa Canyon; Christopher Tanaka, St. Augustine High School; Alec Valdez, Santa Fe Christian School; Clay Witmeyer, The Bishop’s School; Jeffrey Woolson, Santa Fe Christian School.