Although only a senior at Collinsville High School, Leah Cuddeback is already an experienced community volunteer.

Leah Cuddeback / submitted photo

Cuddeback has volunteered more than 650 hours at the St. Louis Zoo and, for the past four years, she has served at a local grief center every month, working with children who have suffered a loss. For her efforts, she was recently awarded a President’s Volunteer Service Award through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Established in 2003, the President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program granted the award on behalf of President Barack Obama.

Collinsville High School nominated Cuddeback for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service. Her volunteerism is a sign of leadership ability, CHS Principal Eric Flohr said.

“I think any leader in life figures out the best way to lead is to give back,” Florh said. “She has learned that at a young age.”

As a zoo volunteer, Cuddeback is the president of the Zoo ALIVE teen volunteer program. In that role, she teaches young children about wildlife and science. She served as social chair last year, planning numerous events, including service projects and zoo cleaning parties.

Cuddeback uses art activities to help children at the grief center cope with issues they are facing. She also spearheaded a fundraiser for the program to enable more children to receive assistance after the loss of a loved one.

CHS Counselor Karen Olsen is proud to know Cuddeback, whose goal, Olsen said, is to become the next Jane Goodall, researching animals, educating the public, and making a large global impact

“I have never met a student more passionate about nature, animals and changing the world to make it a better place,” Olsen said. “She truly believes, as Jane Goodall once said, ‘”We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place.”‘