Being Nice Nets Chesterfield Teen $62,000

People say that the satisfaction of volunteering is a reward in and of itself, but one Chesterfield student will be receiving more tangible compensation for her service after being name the YMCA of Greater St. Louis 2013 Joseph P. Sunnen Youth of the Year. 

Jordan Deitering, 17, received the honor in February and was recognized at a recent Chesterfield City Council meeting. The designation carries with it a $62,000 scholarship to Lindenwood University, where Deitering will be enrolled as a freshman studying non-profit administration. 

The annual award is given to a young YMCA volunteer who best exemplifies the organization's core values - caring, honesty, respect responsibility and faith. 
On March 18, Chesterfield Mayor Bruce Geiger presented Deitering with an official city proclamation congratulating her and detailing some of her many volunteer activities. 

A student at Parkway Central High School, Deitering began volunteering with the Y at the age of 14 by teaching swim lessons, helping with the swim team and being a counselor-in-training at Day Camp. 

She now works as a Child Watch attendant, lifeguard and swim instruction at the West County YMCA branch. She has also volunteered at St. Luke's Hospital and with the Special Olympics at her school for the past two years. 

Deitering also received praise from the YMCA's leadership in a press release announcing the award. 

"I’ve known Jordan for several years and she is a shining example of the difference the Y can make in a youth,” said Teen/Child/TAH Director Jeni Koenigsfeld, who nominated Deitering for this award. “She understands the difference that a great role model can make in the lives of the kids she works with and aims to be that great role model daily.”