FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov 3, 2009

Scotia Resident Amanda Keller Selected Keuka College Experiential Learner of the Month

KEUKA PARK, N.Y.—Amanda Keller, a resident of Scotia and senior at Scotia- Glenville High School, received Keuka College’s Experiential Learner of the Month Award for October.

Keuka, the national leader in experiential, hands-on learning, established the program to honor high school students whose commitment to experiential, hands-on learning has made a difference in their communities.

Keller will receive a partial academic fellowship to Keuka and qualify for the Experiential Learner of the Year Award, which carries a full academic fellowship to the College.

Keller was nominated for the award by Happy Scherer, New Visions Human Services/special and elementary teacher at Scotia-Glenville.

“Amanda is truly a remarkable woman,” said Scherer. “When she was interviewed last spring for my New Visions program for students exploring careers in human services and special education, our committee was extremely impressed with her dedication to experiential learning and community service.”

Keller is active in the G.I.V.E. service learning program at her school, donating her time and talents to a rehabilitation center for children and adults, group home for adults with developmental disabilities, craft program for the elderly, homework club for fifth graders, and adaptive sports programs on weekends. She is also a “buddy” to disabled peers in a BOCES classroom.

Her commitment to service also extends to her Girl Scout activities. A recipient of the Bronze and Silver awards who is currently pursuing the Gold award, Keller developed a sign/number system to assist fire and police personnel in search and rescue efforts. In addition to being a member of the softball and cheerleading teams at Scotia-Glenville, she has coached cheerleading at the Pop Warner Football level and has been involved in Special Olympics.

Last summer she volunteered for the I Can Ride Camp, where she taught developmentally disabled children and teens to ride two-wheelers. She babysits for a young deaf boy in her neighborhood and took several American Sign Language courses in order to work with him effectively, according to Scherer.

The Experiential Learner of the Month Award-winner is featured on television stations throughout central, western, and northern New York state, as well as the Southern Tier.

The participating stations include WTVH, Channel 5, Syracuse (CBS); WHAM, Channel 13, Rochester (ABC); WWNY, Channel 7, Watertown (CBS); and WBNG, Channel 12, Binghamton (CBS).

Keuka College is the national leader in experiential, hands-on learning.

Office of Communications, Keuka College, Keuka Park, New York 14478

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