| President honors avid local student volunteer | | Print | |
| Written by Michael Lazarus | |
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Ask senior Rick Berwick what he likes most about volunteering and he will respond humbly and seriously that he truly enjoys helping his community. He maintains this humility despite receiving a prestigious award for the thousands of volunteer hours he has logged: the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
As Air Force One taxied into San Francisco International Airport on Jan. 30, Berwick was waiting patiently on the tarmac at the end of the presidential entourage to receive the award, given to a group of only 600 other people ranging from eight to 70 years old, from President George W. Bush himself. “I waited for 40 minutes for Air Force One to touch down and then he came out, talked to everyone else, shook my hand and then was gone,” Berwick said. “I told him, ‘Thank you Mr. President, it’s an honor to receive this award.’ I didn’t have time for anything else because he cut me off four times.” Brief as it was, the President told Berwick, “Richard, it’s people like you who make me come out here and give these awards.” Bush was in the Bay Area for a Republican fundraising event in Hillsborough, but first met with Berwick and Amador Valley High student Kevin Laue, a one-armed basketball player who has also inspired his community. Whereas most teenagers would be awe-inspired to meet the President of the United States of America, Berwick said he was more impressed by the award itself, “a really detailed and cool pin,” and by the President’s strength. “He slapped me pretty hard on my back as we were saying goodbye,” Berwick kidded. The only thing missing from an otherwise perfect day for Berwick? A Democratic president. “I’m very excited I met the President; the fact that it’s Bush makes the event a little less special,” the young liberal explained. Berwick won the award primarily because of his involvement with the Lowell chapter of the Building With Books organization, which, among other objectives, aims to build schoolhouses in third-world countries. Last April, Berwick traveled to Mali, Africa for two weeks as a representative of the organization. “The trip was amazing,” Berwick said. “The cultural experience was insane and the work was definitely satisfying.” Besides Building With Books, Berwick has volunteered at the San Francisco Zoo, Glide Memorial Church, Habitat for Humanity and the local park service. “I like volunteering because it makes me feel like I am able to help the community,” the senior said. “There are very few ways that I can help and this is one of them. Also, it’s fun and you get to meet a lot of other people who are interested in the same thing you are.” Berwick did not find out that he would be receiving the award until a few days before, but as soon as he did, local media bombarded him. “The media was scary,” he half-heartedly joked. “It was insane. I don’t think I ever had that many people try to talk to me at once.” ABC, CBS, NBC, KTVU, KTSF, The Chronicle and The Examiner all spoke to Berwick. Berwick used his 10 seconds of fame to advocate more widespread volunteering. “Join Building With Books,” he urged fellow students. “Join other clubs. If you’re in high school, there are clubs ready to get you involved in volunteering.” As for his future, Berwick plans to continue to volunteer, possibly continuing his work with Building With Books. “But I’ll probably find another group in college,” he said. |
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to listen.
