WOHS student wins youth volunteer award

The Christian Service Center has recognized a West Orange High School student with the Orlando Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. Alexa Bishop won the community award for her volunteer work with children who need extra help with their schoolwork and reading skills.

“This was part of our inaugural Christian Service Center awards,” said Bryan Hampton, director of development and communications with CSC for Central Florida. “We wanted to introduce the awards to shed the spotlight on people who are doing good in the community. … Alexa is a well-spoken, humble and inspiring teenager.”

Bishop tutors elementary students at Eight Waves, a nonprofit organization in Winter Garden that invests in the lives of under-resourced families, and she also works with students at West Orange High in a new lunch mentorship program.

“By acknowledging the selfless acts of service performed by our volunteers, we create a culture of encouragement within our community, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and participate in acts of kindness and service,” CSC executive director Eric Gray said in the banquet program. The ceremony was held Oct. 13.

Bishop began volunteering with Eight Waves last year and already has logged hundreds of hours as a reading buddy and homework helper. She spends her summers chaperoning field trips as well.

“Typically, with the students at Eight Waves, I will play fun games, chat with and color with the students,” Bishop said. “After some social activities, then I will read to/with them, practice our grammar and fundamental skills, help with homework, and mentor. By the end, we will have more fun time and do physical activities outside, like playing tag.”

Citizens were nominated by the public for the CSC service awards and assessed by a panel of 10 volunteer judges.

Eight Waves meets at the West Orange Dream Center and partners with the Christian Service Center, which provides meals for the after-school program. Kelly Carr, director of operations and programs for Eight Waves, said she nominated Bishop because of her dedication and work ethic.

“There are so many adults (who) don’t even do what Alexa does as a 15-year-old, and she has just dedicated so much time and has helped our organization immensely,” Carr said. “Last year, she came every single day and every opportunity and dedicated probably more hours than any other volunteer in our program. In the summer, most teenagers are hanging out with friends, but not Alexa.

“She gives up so much of her time with a smile and truly enjoys the work we are doing,” she said. “She’s so reliable as a volunteer, and we can always count on her. She will rearrange her schedule so she can be there.”

“I love to volunteer at Eight Waves because it gives me a chance to develop relationships with the youth in the community,” Bishop said. “I always have amazing conversations with the kids, and I am able to teach them things along the way. Simultaneously, I am able to help them with subjects that can be a challenge they face during school. All in all, it’s always a great time to volunteer.”

“She’s amazing and has been such a great help and is so unique as a teenager, what’s she able to do and what she can contribute,” Carr said.