Long Island Breakfast Club honors two high school seniors

    Two Nassau County high school students who have devoted their time to local organizations and causes were recognized March 6 by the Long Island Breakfast Club for their volunteerism and community service, and presented with awards.
    Jenna Rae Picone, a student at West Hempstead High School, and Allissa Pietrowski, who attends Floral Park Memorial High School, were presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the Long Island Volunteer Center, an affiliate of the Hands On Network and the Points of Light Institute.
    According to the LIBC, the award –– which supports an initiative of the President’s Council on Service & Civic Participation and the Corporation for National & Community Service –– is given to individuals who have demonstrated through volunteer service the kind of commitment that moves America a step closer to its greater promise, and devotion to service in shaping a better tomorrow in the nation.
    Both Picone and Pietrowski have helped secure food donations for the Rock Can Roll hunger relief organization. Picone was also involved with a program called "Bring it on For Any Soldier.com" where she helped prepare packages for soldiers in Iraq, and Pietrowski volunteered her time with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Break the Silence for Ovarian Cancer.
     The two students also received the LIBC’s Joann Fiorentino Lucas Take Pride In What You Do Citizenship Award. It recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, voluntarism, kindness and ability through outstanding volunteer service to the community.

    “These two young women represent what volunteerism and service to your community is all about,” said Valentina Janek, president and co-founder of the LIBC, who presented the students with a certificate and Bronze Pin Award on behalf of the President of the United States, as well as with the LIBC award. “They have demonstrated outstanding leadership, voluntarism, kindness and an ability to work hard and help others. They take pride in being positive role models for other students while also continuing to excel in school.”
    Picone helped to spearhead the LIBC's “Don’t Toss” environmental awareness program, which collects ink cartridges for recycling, and to organize a toy drive for the Lisa Aberle Toy Drive Program. The West Hempstead High School senior wants to eventually work as an art or special education teacher.
    Throughout her high school career, Picone has been involved with numerous extra curricular activities, including the Cheerleading Squad, Students Against Drunk Driving, National Art Honor Society, National Youth Leadership Conference and National Society of High School Scholars. She has also been class president and a member of the Honor Roll for four consecutive years. Her goal, she said, is to keep working in the community to enlighten others about how volunteering can not only make a difference in the community, but help one grow as an individual.

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