Freshman honored for service
By LAUREN DAKE
Santa Clara University freshman Kristin Love has been named one of three winners of the Spirit of Women Award by Providence Health Systems of Portland, Ore.
The Spirit of Women was formed by a national partnership between hospitals and health care systems. The program has an annual award banquet that recognizes women who epitomize the true spirit of women. These women are able to manage many activities of their own and also find time to help make a positive change in the lives of others.
Love has volunteered for Providence Milwaukee Hospital for several years. Her resume continues to be outstanding: Coca-Cola scholar, Rotary Student of the Month, member of her high school's award winning speech and debate team - not to mention her participation in athletics. Soccer, swim team, track, cross country and State Championship Dance Team are some of her athletic endeavors. She was selected as "Most Inspirational" for every activity.
What may have helped Love obtain the Spirit of Women award more than anything else was the project she developed senior year in high school when she served as her Key Club's president. She formed a partnership with several high school clubs, a park and recreation district as well as the Ardenwald/Johnson Creek Neighborhood Association to clean up and re-create an area that was once a local park.
Director of Foundations at Providence Milwaukee Hospital Leslie Townsend has known Love since her early days of volunteering at hospitals.
"I hope my daughter turns out like Kristin, devoted to the community and smart," Townsend said. "Plus she always kept up with her athletics. She is just a really great kid."
Public Relations Coordinator at Providence Milwaukee Hospital Rita Kester is also proud of Love. "Kristin is one of the most enthusiastic, dedicated, compassionate and multi-talented young women that you can meet," Kester said. "She is not only a very bright student, but she has a heartfelt desire to understand the world in which she lives and a desire to help others." Kester adds that the community service coalition that Love founded to help clean up the park was a big success.
"[The project] was hugely successful, and the partnership between the school, neighborhood association and the Park and Recreation District continues today," Kester said.From the beginning Love knew the project would work.
"The park was located in a neighborhood between two elementary schools," she said. "I knew it could be such a good place to play. At the time, though, it had a dilapidated play structure made of rotten wood with nails sticking out - it was not a fun place for kids to play."
Love raised money by fundraising and applying for grants, and now the park is a thriving place for kids to play.
"The best part is just seeing the little kids playing there," Love said. "It is really wonderful." She will travel to Washington D.C. for the national Spirit of Women Awards celebration next month.