United Way Teen Volunteer of the Year Award

We were thrilled in March to get a call announcing that Austin had been selected as this year's Teen Volunteer of the Year for the Norman United Way. We are thrilled that he was honored for his accomplishments. It was a very special day for our entire family.

This is the letter that I wrote nominating him:
Dear Nomination Committee:
The purpose of writing you today is to nominate a young man, Austin Childers, for the Young Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award. Austin is passionate and committed in his drive to help children and young adults who have physical and/or mental disabilities. Perhaps this drive comes from deep within him due to his own struggles that he has had to live with and overcome daily. Austin himself is an individual with a disability. He is severely dyslexic, dysgraphic (writing) and has many other needs that present challenges for him, even though on the outside he appears to be a typical high school student. Yet, he doesn’t let his struggles prevent him from assisting children who also need assistance and perhaps, more importantly, a friend.
As a mother, it is very difficult to have a child with a brilliant IQ who cannot express himself in writing more than writing simple words and even printing his own name is a struggle. He isn’t in the clubs and sports that many high school age children participate in. Last year, when I arrived at Norman High School during mid-day with Austin after one of his doctor’s appointments, I was left speechless with what I witnessed. As we were walking down the hallway, one of the Severe-Profound Special Education classes that Austin works with daily, was leaving the gymnasium returning to their classroom. They saw Austin and most of them had to stop to give him hugs, high fives, and for those who couldn’t do that, precious smiles. As we were walking away, the Teacher’s Assistant for the class told me that he is by far the best Aide that they have had in their classroom for over 10 years. It was at that moment that I realized what an inspiration he is to those he cares so much for. His accomplishments are not measured by medals, trophies, essays or scholarships. Instead, they are measured in smiles and successes of those who are in many ways just like Austin.
In today’s society, we have very few adult’s doing the kind of work that Austin does on a daily basis. He is just doing what everybody should be doing. He is an excellent leader and mentor by putting his own needs behind those that depend on others for so much. He has been serving in this capacity since he was in the 7th grade at Alcott Middle School. He is now a sophomore at Norman High School. He goes above and beyond the hour that he spends each day assisting in the classroom. He takes time to volunteer annually with Special Olympics, helps students shop for Christmas gifts for their parents and other family members, field trips that enable the students to survive in the world. Even making change has been a lesson where the teacher learned along with the student. You see, he himself couldn’t learn math the traditional way due to his dyslexia. However, it hasn’t stopped him in teaching the children he works with to make change as he learned also. It’s a skill that he thinks is so very vital for all of them, enabling them to avoid being taken advantage of in the public.
I believe that Austin is deserving of consideration of the Volunteer of the Year Awards. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to share Austin with you.
Most Sincerely,

A former principal wrote this:
To Whom It May Concern:

I am offering this letter of nomination for 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award on behalf of Mr. Austin Childers.

I have known Mr. Childers for several years, having first met him when he was a student at WITHHELD. From the very first time I encountered this young man, I have known that he is an individual with tremendous potential. I have worked with Mr. Childers often, as he was a student under my supervision at WITHHELD. In my interactions with Mr. Childers, it has been obvious to me that he takes great initiative and care with working with students with special needs

Perhaps the most important item I can mention was his amount of time he devoted to those students with special needs. Mr. Childers was always the first to volunteer for any activity I needed help with, and always willing to serve in any way he could, whether it was during lunch, classtime, on field trips, or after school. His commitment to those students was unwavering, and I appreciate all he has done, and I am sure continues to do for them.

I can honestly say, without hesitation, that Mr. Childers would make a worthy recipient to your award. His commitment to students with disabilities exemplifies what your institution promotes: committed and dedicated volunteers. I feel honored to have known and worked with Mr. Childers, and I am sure you will feel the same should you accept his nomination.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,