Landlovers News

2019 Landlovers Community Service Merit Award Recipients 

The Landlovers community service merit awards recognize students who go “above and beyond” in giving time and talent through community service. Commitment, creativity, leadership, and total time dedicated determine the winners.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students!

Ally Best is an outstanding young lady who is committed to her school, her community, and others. She has continued the work of UTime, an organization of teen volunteers started by 2018 Merit Award winner, Lilyanne Glass, that provides childcare for special needs children. Best is serving as President this year and has devoted more than 110 hours to this special service. She also volunteers for A Stitch in Time, sewing clothing, school bags, and other items for children; is a Sunday school volunteer; and works at Blessingdales Thrift Shop. An Excellence Honors student at St. Vincent Academy, maintaining A’s in all classes, she also is an art camp instructor, art magazine editor, an artist, and a track star. Ally’s work has been featured in Armstrong and SCAD art exhibits, been auctioned at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser, and received honorable mention in Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2018. Ally has been accepted at John Hopkins University and intends to focus on Molecular and Cellular Biology.

An award-winning artist and graphic designer and student of The Habersham School, Elizabeth Reed co-created and designed the school’s arts and literary journal; volunteered and won awards in the Savannah Art Association shows; created t-shirts for her school and several fundraisers; and lent her talents backstage for the Drama Department. Also, she has volunteered for Special Olympics, The Sunshine Girls, and the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium. Her other commitments include volleyball, Habersham School house leadership, The H Magazine, and the Compassion Christian Church youth group. Reed established her business designing and creating stickers and hand-painted signs that sell on Etsy and in 49 states across the country. Elizabeth’s dream is to attend Montana State University’s graphic design program.

Jenna Rehman has dedicated her free time to serving the community in a variety of ways that make her stand out among her peers. Co-captain of the Savannah Country Day School varsity swim team, member of the Students Celebrating Diversity Club, Student Ambassador, Editor and Contributor for the school art and literature magazine, and Senior Representative for the Student Council, she has volunteered with Horizons, Tutoring Across Borders, People of Action Caring for Kids, and Camp Wildflower. Rehman also was part of a Country Day group that traveled to Ecuador for 10 days to learn about biodiversity and to set up the computers in a local school. She will attend Virginia Tech for her undergraduate work, intending to focus on Biology and Family Medicine.

Madison Hudgins is a born performer with talents in both acting and music. Her community involvement has included multiple performances at her school, Savannah Arts Academy, as well as the Southern Invitational High School Choral Competition, the Arts on Skidaway Concert Series, Georgia Thespian All-State Conference, United Methodist Church Adult Choir, and the Iceland Music Festival. Additionally, Hudgins has sung the National Anthem at more than 30 local events, including The Landings July 4^th Celebration and a Savannah Bananas game. A very active and committed Girl Scout, she has earned her Silver Award and is working toward her Gold Award. After careful consideration with acceptances from 19 schools, campus visits, and observation of classes, she has been accepted into the honors program at the University of Northern Colorado where she will work toward a BA in Musical Theatre, Minor in Dance, and obtain a Certificate in Business.

Described as “an excellent example to both young and adult members of her church of what it means to be a team player,” St. Vincent Academy student Kathryn Ollenburg gives of her time and talent in service in a variety of ways.  She has been an altar server for St. James Church since she was 10 years old and is now also a member of the choir. Also, she is a member of the St. Vincent’s Choir and volunteers for Days for Girls. Ollenburg is on the St. Vincent’s rifle team and takes Kung Fu and Katana. She works summers at Gulfstream, where she has held a variety of responsibilities. She will attend Georgia Institute of Technology to study Mechanical Engineering.

Emma West is active in her community and school, Savannah Country Day. She co-headed a team in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising competition, raising more than $16,000. She volunteers for Tech Time; worked with Horizons each summer; helped organize the Save-a-Life volleyball tournament; and is dedicated to her school’s hosting of the Special Olympics. West also finds time to participate in varsity basketball and cross country, is captain of the basketball and soccer teams, serves as Secretary of the Student Government, Upper-School Ambassador, Senior Mentor, and Lower School tutor. Next fall, she will attend Tulane University with the intent of majoring in English.