St. Francis de Sales High School: Jefferson Awards’ Student Leaders Making a Difference in Toledo

Through Leadership Toledo, the Youth Service Initiative was launched mid-year in four schools in the Toledo region. Samuel Evola took the reigns, leading the program to be the first school to recognize a student with the Jefferson Award. Samuel is involved in many school activities, sports and has volunteered countless hours. Jonathan Niese was the first award recipient from St. Francis de Sales and was chosen because of his more than 300 hours of community service. Some of his volunteer activities are service projects in Appalachia and volunteering as a spotter for “Lose the Training Wheels,” a program that teaches disabled children how to ride bicycles.