VC’s Dailey receives Presidential honor

You never know who will take notice of something that you have accomplished.
One local student recently received some high-ranking attention.
Sam Dailey, a senior at Vermilion Catholic High School has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.
The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Barack Obama. Vermilion Catholic nominated Sam for national honors this fall in recognition of his volunteer service.
“It’s a great honor,” Dailey said. “I was honestly surprised. I had no clue that the stuff I was doing went back and got up so far.”
Vermilion Catholic Development Director Michele Meaux said the award is a result of the collective hours Dailey has put into volunteering.
Dailey said he couldn’t really put a number of the amount of service hours.
“I don’t think there is a consistent set of hours,” he said. “Whenever I find something that I can volunteer in, I usually do.”
There is one service of which Daily has been particularly proud.
“My work with Autism,” Dailey said. “I have a form of Autism known as Asperger’s Syndrome. I have done several speeches and events involving that. Through the school (VC), I did a special needs retreat for some other kids.
“That is close to my heart.”
Dailey also takes part in mission trips with his family.
“I have only done mission trips in this country,” Dailey said. “I have never gone on a mission to say, Mexico or India. I have gone to other states and done work there. I have done local stuff, like working in soup kitchens here.
“I try to focus on stuff closer to home.”
That sense of giving will not go away once Dailey leaves Vermilion Catholic. The school has nurtured Dailey’s sense of helping.
“They have been extremely supportive,” Dailey said. “It’s through them that I have done a lot of my more recent stuff. They even let me give my speech on Autism to the entire student body.”
Meaux said the faculty and students are absolutely proud of Dailey.
“He is a great spokesman,” Meaux said. “One of our goals at the school is for our students to learn service. We try to provide those opportunities for them and get them involved. Sam has taken to that and it is a lifetime now that he will spend serving others.”
He certainly will.
“I am definitely going to continue that,” Dailey said. “I want to continue to work with youth groups because they are a great way to find ways to help and give back to the community.
“I am going to continue to keep my ears open to find more ways to help.”