BY WENDY HARRISON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
WHarrison@pdc.edu

FRANKLIN—Ashley Giorgi’s mom always told her to help others because it feels right in her heart, not for recognition.

After heeding her mother’s advice and performing more than 200 hours community service for the Key Club at Southampton High School, the recognition came anyway.

The daughter of Debbie and Jerry Nahrebecki of Boykins and David Giorgi of Groton, Conn., Ashley Giorgi received the Paul D. Camp Community College Camp Family Foundations Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship.

“I wouldn’t be able to receive this award if it were not for the leadership and community service opportunities provided by the Key Club,” Giorgi said.

A recipient is selected from each of the 23 institutions in Virginia’s Community College System. The scholarship may be used on any of the 40 campuses in the VCCS. It provides $3,000 for a full year of tuition, books and fees.

“My favorite event that I volunteered for through the Key Club was the Special Olympics,” said Giorgi. “But I also worked with Habitat for Humanity and the Relay for Life through the club.”

She headed up the first-time Child Abuse Prevention Walk in Franklin during her senior year as president of the Key Club.

The only high school student on the committee, she recruited many of her peers to attend the event.

“It felt good to know that I helped make that happen,” Giorgi said. “Being a leader and mentor has really helped me. To know that I have helped people is a good enough reward for me.”

Giorgi was named Outstanding Club Member for four years, and at the district convention in Washington, D.C., she was honored as Distinguished Club President.

At the awards assembly at the end of the school year, Giorgi was awarded the Reese and Nancy McCormick Scholarship. The McCormicks, who have passed, were pillars in the Franklin Kiwanis, which sponsors the Key Club.

Giorgi earned a Senior Service Award at graduation and gained leadership skills as a four-year member of the Student Government Association.

A member of the National Honor Society, Giorgi was in the Varsity and Christian clubs, and participated in cross country and field hockey. She also served as a trainer for boys’ basketball.

Giorgi was class president during her freshman year and class secretary during her sophomore year.

She was selected for the Snow Court during her junior year.

“We were asked to raise money, with all proceeds going to the Trooper Hill Toy Drive,” Giorgi said.

She was the top female fundraiser, and as a result, was crowned Snow Queen at the charity ball.

At True Word Christian Church in Franklin, Giorgi is in the youth group, works in the nursery and teaches Vacation Bible school.

She participated in a two-year early childhood education program in high school, where she worked with 3- and 4-year-olds.

She plans to transfer to a four-year college or university after graduating from PDCCC.