By Joan Sousek
Leader Correspondent
Editor's note: This is the second in a series of six articles featuring winners of the Celebration of Giving awards presented by Shawano Area Community Foundation Inc. for outstanding volunteerism. The winners will be honored at a gala April 10.
The old adage, "like father, like son," is very real and very positive when it comes to the late Herb Rycroft and his 18-year-old son, Adam, a senior at Shawano High, who will receive the 2011 Shawano Area Community Foundation (SACF) Youth Volunteer Award.
Adam said his dad, who passed away unexpectedly at age 57 on Feb. 10, inspired him to get involved. The elder Rycroft's community commitments were extensive, and Adam is following in his dad's footsteps volunteering through Junior Achievement, Red River Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding for the Disabled, Shawano United Methodist Church, Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center (SAFPARC), Shawano Youth Advisory Board, Brunch on the Farm, Shawano Folk Music Festival, Boy Scout Troop 32 and Toys for Tots.
"My dad always volunteered for a lot of stuff. It seemed like I should, too," he said. "It seems really good to help people out, and I like it; it's fun."
Adam, son of Marisa Rycroft of Shawano, was nominated for the award by Chris Baldwin, executive director of the Red River Riders, and Diane Heikes, director of Junior Achievement (JA) of Wisconsin-Shawano. "He's on the quieter side and an all-around nice kid," Heikes said. Adam taught JA lessons to kindergarten students at Hillcrest Primary School for two years, and helped further the JA mission."Adam was an inspiration, an example of student success, a role model for the students," Heikes said. "Adam was willing to share his knowledge and stories to inspire students to be successful, too." Heikes said her husband was a co-worker with Herb.
"Adam has taken on the same traits as his dad when it comes to helping others," she said.
Getting involved and staying involved are challenging, she added. "At the high school level, you don't find that many kids that go above and beyond as volunteers when they also are involved in sports and music."
Baldwin, whose town of Richmond farm is home to Red River Riders, said Adam is among the most caring of the group's many exceptional volunteers. "He is a wonderfully outgoing person, puts everyone at ease, has an open interest in others, and likes to learn," Baldwin said. "Volunteering can be overwhelming for many people, but Adam has a genuine enjoyment in meeting new people and getting to know them. He's polite, respectful, helpful and a pleasure to work with." Baldwin noted that Herb was a volunteer first, and started bringing Adam along at about age 14.
Last year, Adam undertook his Eagle Scout project at the farm, where he built four large raised gardens and a ramp for the group's indoor arena. "The raised gardens will give our riders and volunteers a project they can work on together during their time on the farm," Baldwin said, "The ramp will give easier access to the indoor arena for wheelchairs, walkers and anyone with more limited mobility."
Adam does most of his volunteering in summer, which is when he did the Eagle Scout project. During the school year, he mainly volunteers at the United Methodist Church where he helps teach Sunday School, runs the projector system, serves on the music committee and is a liturgist.
Adam is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and ranks sixth in his class. He participated in cross-country, swimming and track for four years and plays string bass in the orchestra.
He sees volunteering as interactive.
"I think your community supports you, and you should give back to your community; it's a two-way street," he said. Adam said he was caught off guard a bit when he heard he would receive the award. "I did not even know I was nominated," he said. "I was not expecting any recognition. It's a great honor."
The award is sponsored by Shawano Optimist and Shawano Rotary clubs and comes with $1,000, which Adam said he would donate to the Mielke Arts Center and Junior Achievement to be used for the Business Challenge. |
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