Scholar embraces 'service before self' award
Alexandra Jenkins
Community service comes as second nature to Alex Jenkins, a junior McConnell Scholar from Trigg County.
She totaled more than 500 hours of community service during her junior and senior years of high school and earned her school's "Service Before Self Award."
"I really embraced that title and strive in life to give back where I can," Jenkins said.
Currently the assistant director of the University of Louisville's Relay for Life, an organization that seeks to fund and raise awareness for the American Cancer Society, Jenkins is in charge of strengthening communications between the student executive board and community partners, as well as soliciting support from the university's president, James Ramsey. She's personally raised $200 for the charity this year.
"The program is really growing — we're already 20 teams ahead of where we were last year and our executive board has more people," Jenkins said.
Involved with Relay For Life at a young age, Jenkins said she doesn't see herself walking away from the charity anytime soon. She'll take over as "Spirit Leader" next year, preparing teams and captains and boosting morale.
And as soon as the university's Relay For Life walking marathon and fundraiser is finished April 9, Jenkins is headed to another philanthropic event, this time on behalf of her sorority, Kappa Delta. The sorority's philanthropy is the "Shamrock 'n Run 5K," which raises funds and support Prevent Child Abuse America.