ACES is excited to announce exchange siblings Beam and Melisa as October 2016 Students of the Month!
This “dynamic duo” (as their coordinator calls them) truly works in tandem to accomplish all that they do. Since the start of the semester, Melisa and Beam have shared their time, service, and talents with their Ohio community side-by-side.
Both students started volunteering with non-profit organizations and with their church as soon as they arrived. They packaged food with A Child’s Hope International for a Hands against Hunger drive, put together Christmas gifts for children in poverty for Operation Christmas Child, provided child care to church members when needed, and worked booths for the church at local events!
Beam and Melisa have also used their artistic talents to give back to their community and school, fully embodying the spirit of service in everything they do. They are actively involved ambassadors for the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. In that role, they have taught young scouts songs, games, and crafts such as how to make Dream Catchers. Melisa and Beam have also organized events for the scouts. They helped coordinate and run a Halloween Haunted Castle event (as part of this, assisting the scouts with costumes and face paint), a Fall Party, a Girl Scout Cookie Rally, and a Flash Light Candy Cane Hunt. In addition, they have performed for elders in a nursing home, put on a play for their church, and helped decorate the dance area and floats for their school’s homecoming.
Beyond their service, Beam and Melisa have spent time fully integrating into their host family, preparing meals for them and setting aside time for bonding activities. Finally, to top it all off, they are stellar students with all As!
Thanks for your hard work Melisa and Beam, and congratulations on your well-deserved award!