A Love of volunteering

Each year, the Valley Service Organization (VSO) presents two awards in May. The first is the Woman of Distinction, which goes to a woman or group of women who have had a positive impact on the North Platte Valley. 

The second is the Youth Citizenship Award. This award, in the form of a $500 scholarship, is presented to a graduating senior within Carbon County School District No. 2. Each year, the VSO receives multiple applications from students in Saratoga, Encampment and Hanna.

This year, Teegan Love was selected from among a total of 12 applicants to receive the Youth Citizenship Award. Love, who graduated from Saratoga Middle/High School this year, was presented a check for $500 on May 27. Judy Hamel, who chaired the Youth Citizenship Award committee this year, stressed that while Love was an accomplished student and athlete, the award was not presented due to his curricular or extracurricular activities.

As the name implies, Love was selected to receive the award due to his contributions to the community.

During his high school career, Love coached an intramural basketball team through the high school basketball program. Through the tech program, Love helped with the local Christmas Bazaar and helped organize the annual cancer walk which the tech class also designed t-shirts and logos.

Through his church, Love was an altar server and participated in highway clean-up day. He also volunteered to help run stations for the Saratoga Elementary School during their Jump Rope for Heart and Health Moves Minds events. As part of the National Honor Society, Love participated in Science Friday at Saratoga Elementary School and helped with the local blood drive.

Along with all the volunteering, Love also operated a lawn care business during the summer.

Love will be attending Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska.