Gateway’s Jon Wyand of Huntington.
HUNTINGTON – Jonathan Wyand, a senior at Gateway Regional High School, has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award from Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Wyand is the son of Jeff and Debbie Wyand of Huntington.
“I am excited to receive this award,” Wyand said when he learned of the honor. “I have certainly enjoyed all of the activities and responsibilities that I have been part of in the Gateway community, during my time here. I’m very excited to continue with my service as I move onto college and my future in June.”
This award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country. Wyand was selected by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Barack Obama.
For the past three years, Wyand served on the high school’s School Climate Group, which trains younger students in what to do if they see bullying, and promotes healthy social and dating relationships.
Wyand is perhaps best-known throughout the Gateway community for leading the Tech Crew in the Gateway Performing Arts Center (GPAC). At school and outside events, he sets up sound, lighting and crew members for staged events. He not only runs most of these events, he has taken the responsibility for maintaining the equipment in the GPAC. Last year, he assessed the condition of all of the sound and lighting equipment and proposed replacement of outdated items, researched new systems that would improve the auditorium, and pitched ideas to the Gateway Education Foundation, which was able to fund some purchases. Through the Shipman Memorial Fund—in memory of former Tech Crew Director, teacher and Wyand’s mentor, Rob Shipman—a new sound board was purchased that runs off of an iPad from any point in the auditorium. Two new moveable spotlights were also purchased.
Wyand not only assessed the auditorium’s needs and researched solutions, he also installed the new systems.
Wyand has also provided considerable support to the Gateway Education Foundation, by researching and designing an affordable and user-friendly website host for the new non-profit organization, which raises funds for Gateway classrooms and schools. He trained staff and provided guidance on creating an i-Movie to introduce the foundation to the community, and was also the co-creator of a film commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Gateway Regional School District. His film-making talent also launched the “Gateway News Network”—a bi-weekly, student-created broadcast of school, local and national news. He has also created the annual sports film for the Gateway Athletic Booster Club each year of high school.
He is the only Gateway student who volunteered for the district’s 50th Anniversary committee, which has planned activities throughout this school year.
His leadership skills have led his peers to elect Jon as Class President in each of his four years of high school. Jon is also actively involved in the National Honor Society, represented Gateway at Boys State in 2013, and is a student representative to the Gateway School Committee. In the community, he is a Board member for North Hall in Huntington, where he designed and installed a sound and lighting system; he also volunteers there during their summer season. Wyand is also employed as a ski instructor and Events Coordinator for Otis Ridge Ski Area and works in the summers for the Gateway Technology Department.
Following graduation from high school, Jon plans to attend a four-year college and major in life entertainment and production management.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.
“The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community.”
“Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and all school leaders from across the United States and over 36 countries around the world. The association connects and engages school leaders through advocacy, research, education, and student programs. NASSP advocates on behalf of all school leaders to ensure the success of each student and strengthens school leadership practices through the design and delivery of high quality professional learning experiences. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society and National Association of Student Councils, among other organizations.
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic “rock” symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com .
