Teens Receive Special David Drier Recognition

Teen Recreation Activity Club (T.R.A.C.) members: Selina Ali, Crystal Lopez, Monica Lopez, Gloria Moctezuma and Kirsten Schmedes were recognized for their outstanding volunteer services on May 31st at Congressman David Dreier’s Annual Youth Volunteer Awards Ceremony. Congressman David Dreier recognized over 100 teens throughout his district. In order to have been recognized, teens went through the following process: completed an application, wrote a 250-500 word essay describing their volunteer public services, provided a letter of recommendation, and underwent an informal interview with the Youth Volunteer Council (YVC). T.R.A.C. members were honored to have been selected for such an award recognizing their hard work and dedication to their community. According to Crystal Lopez, first year T.R.A.C. member, “At first I was scared to go through the interview, because I have never had one before. But it was pretty cool. If I had to do it all over again, I would.”

T.R.A.C. is a program for Junior High and High School students in Rancho Cucamonga that meet monthly to plan and participate in a variety of community service projects. T.R.A.C. has over 100 active members and has volunteered over 3,000 hours this year. T.R.A.C. members had the opportunity to volunteer in the following events: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Snack bar at North Town, Fourth of July, Snack bar at Movies and Concerts in the Park, Founder’s Day Parade Float, monthly Senior Assisted Living visits, Food Pantry Project, decorating floats for the Rose Parade, preparing a dinner for families at the Ronald Mc Donald House, making blankets for Project Linus, helped the Surfrider Foundation Seal Beach clean-up, sent care packages to the soldiers over seas and so much more. Being a T.R.A.C. member is rewarding, it not only gives you an opportunity to make new friends and earn T.R.A.C. dollars but, it teaches you responsibility, commitment, communication, and provides a great deal of confidence to teens. Monica Lopez, a six year veteran said “Being in T.R.A.C. has given me an opportunity to not be as shy as I used to be, I get to meet new people instead of being at home in front of the T.V. and doing nothing. I also get to make a difference in my community.”