On May 12, 2006, President George W. Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award to five outstanding individuals during a ceremony marking Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the East Room of the White House.  For two years, Ravi has been helping students prepare for the SAT by teaching math at the Chinmaya Mission of Central Florida and to public high school students who cannot afford to enroll in a private SAT review course. Ravi scored a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT exam in 2005 as a high school freshman at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida. As a result of his instruction, students have seen increased academic success and a marked improvement in speed, accuracy, and test scores. In November 2005, in recognition of his volunteer service, Ravi received a Governor’s Point of Light Award from Governor Jeb Bush.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.

The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

###