"Each year NYS PTA awards one outstanding junior or senior high school student the prestigious Youth Humanitarian Award in Memory of Stanley Marcus. The State winner receives a check for $250 and a plaque in recognition of his or her humanitarianism and volunteer service in the community.
"We are proud to announce the 2012 award winner, Tal Axelrod from Clarkstown High School South, West Nyack, Central Hudson Region.
"Tal credits his mother with instilling in him the importance of helping others. Tal's humanitarianism and work as a volunteer in his community are most worthy of this recognition. Tal started volunteering at the very young age of 8, in a softball league for mentally challenged adults by handing out bats and cueing them during the games. He went on to volunteer in a local nursing home where he still volunteers today and started a current events club to keep seniors engaged in discussion and aware of what is happening in the world outside of the nursing home. The success of this club led Tal to start a current events club at his high school. He also does service work through the National Honor Society and has raised money for Meals on Wheels and the March of Dimes. Additionally, he has worked on the campaign trail in support of a local politician.
"Tal says it best when he wrote in his application essay "I believe that by caring and sharing one's time and skills, for whatever purpose - whether it be to educate others , aid the ill or those impoverished, help maintain peace or to preserve the environment - makes us all fully human. Volunteering is essential to my life and I know that in some shape or form, I will continue offering my time to help others for the rest of my life."
"And that is why Tal is the 2012 Youth Humanitarianism Award Winner. Congratulations to Tal!"
