Ashley L. Brown, Memorial High School
Joe Thomas Community Service Award Recipient

A ray of light shines bright in the halls of Memorial High school warming the faces of fellow students and staff. Ashley Brown proudly displays a deep affection for her school and her community in her every endeavor. In sports, student government, the school newspaper, music, and community activism, Ashley lends her leadership and thoughtfulness. She carries with her a sense of responsibility for representing her family, fellow classmates and her generation. Ashley Brown is committed to personal growth, education and service. Friends at Mt. Zion Baptist Church have high regard for her work in Youth Ministry and Youth Choirs. Fellow students benefit from her tutoring services. While balancing part-time jobs and activities, academic achievement remains number one on Ashley's list of priorities. Whether performing everyday small deeds or conquering goals on the path to a triumphant future, Ashley Brown casts an enormous arc of optimism around her. Her generosity and maturity make Ashley Brown a deserving recipient of this Joe Thomas Community Service Award for Students. Congratulations.

Alice Mandt, Shabazz City High School
Joe Thomas Community Service Award Recipient

Joe Thomas Community Service Award recipients are students with clear vision for how things should be. They are young people driven to improve themselves and their world. Shabazz City High student, Alice Mandt exemplies the Joe Thomas Award tradition. Choosing to attend Shabazz High School for its emphasis on community building and social justice, Alice has found her stride, putting into play her deep intellect, accomplished writing skills and compassionate leadership to broaden discussion and understanding around issues of race. She has volunteered as a Big Sister, assisted with childcare at public health clinics and most notably plays a leadership role in the national youth movement of the Unitarian Universalist Association. As an ambassador to new students at Shabazz, Alice sets the tone for the school's welcoming and accepting culture. She facilitates meetings, works on teams and by example, teaches others to be peacemakers. Next year Alice Mandt looks forward to life at Hampshire College and to maintaining her commitment to intellectual and social development for the good of all. Congratulations.

Maia Pearson, West High School
Joe Thomas Community Service Award Recipient

West High's Maia Pearson is one of those incredible young people who's capable of conquering it all. Maia is a successful participant in the PEOPLE pre-collegiate program- carrying a rigorous academic course load- captain of the basketball team, volunteer, mentor and coach to younger athletes on the South Madison Panthers Track and Field Team. No challenge escapes her grasp. Teachers, teammates, friends and the many children who look up to her as a role model, know they can count on Maia. Through her role in fundraising for the West High Black Student Union, she made it possible for more students to tour Black colleges. She displays undeniable maturity and commitment to her community. No stranger to honors and awards, Maia Pearson received the Youth of the Year Award from the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, the LINKS Outstanding Student Achievement Award, the Urban League's Outstanding Young Person's Award and the Carter G. Woodson Tutoring Award....all a natural result of her unwavering focus on service, hard work and positive spirit. Congratulations.

Charles Peterson, La Follette High School
Joe Thomas Community Service Award Recipient

At La Follette High School Charles Peterson is a "go-to" kind of student and friend that teachers and classmates can count on. A first chair tuba player in the band, a member of honors band, and an integral part of the Football and Track and Field teams, Charles Peterson's positive attitude keeps him heads above the crowd. Younger writers at the Simpson Street Free Press, where Charles serves as a youth editor, look up to him as a role model. Carrying a challenging academic course load, Charles consistently displays a strong work ethic. He conveys to the younger writers the importance of hard work and good grades. His supervisor at the newspaper applauds his knack for journalism. It is his deep pride and sense of commitment that makes him a natural at understanding the needs of the community. He gives his time where and when needed. Along with his teammates, he participated in the Stoughton tornado clean up and Walk for Diabetes. He's a Red Cross blood drive donor, has been a youth counselor at Schenk Elementary. The important connection between service and success are unmistakable in La Follette High's Charles Peterson. Congratulations.

Michael Von Simpson, East High School
Joe Thomas Community Service Award Recipient

He's got talent and a smile that would put any American Idol finalist to shame. More importantly, he possesses strength of character that does the Joe Thomas tradition proud. Michael Simpson is best known for his show-stopping abilities in the East High Show choir. He is a motivator among this very enthusiastic and hard-working group of students. Despite a demanding schedule of practice and rehearsal, he maintains high standards when it comes to his studies, challenging himself at every given opportunity. Michael was recognized early on for his academic potential when he received a Mann Scholarship, a program that nurtures the dreams and ambitions of promising young people. Michael has proven himself to be a stand-out in his school and community. He's adept at playing a leading role, whether in Show choir, as a Peer-to-Peer tutor or on the teen council of the Atwood Community Center where he's donated thousands of hours to community service. He has been equally comfortable in supporting roles -Mock Trial, East High sports teams, Student Congress, and Red Cross blood drives. A top performer in every sense of the word, Michael Simpson will make his mark on the world as he has at East High School. Congratulations.