Student Volunteers

If you like to volunteer all the time or volunteer a lot over the summer, please consider applying for a Varsity Letter in Community Service or the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Both look great on your college applications! Turn your application in for a varsity letter anytime  prior to May 15. Hours must be logged and printed and brought in to Marissa Brandt (Advisor for Volunteer Lettering) at the Student Activities Office. Eden Prairie Public Schools is a certifying agent for the United States President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) program, designed to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to serve.

What doesn’t count?

• Paid, mandatory or court-ordered community service.
• Community service that gives you credit hours.
• Fundraising that benefits you.
• Travel time to and from service activities.
• Hours spent sleeping during overnight service trips or camps. You may count eight hours maximum per day or provide documentation that you served more.
• Unpaid internships with for-profit companies.
• Hours spent in meetings or training unless you were planning or participating in service activities.
• Household chores or service to people living in your home.
• Performance talent (actors, musicians, choirs): Most performances do not count toward award service hours. Where groups are performing a special event for a vulnerable community, students may submit service hours. Performance hours are not to exceed 25% of the minimum hours required for an award level.
• Where extenuating circumstances or exceptions to these guidelines may occur, you must present compelling rationale and evidence of the service provided to others.

Who can participate?

Students, parents and other volunteers in our District.

General Process

Maintain a record of your service hours within a 1-year time period. Submit your hours logged and printed to Marissa Brandt (Advisor for Volunteer Lettering) at the Student Activities Office. prior to the deadline in early September. Based on your age and hours, there are four awards offered:
Age Group

Kids (ages 5-10)

• Bronze: 26-49 hours
• Silver: 50-74 hours
• Gold: 75+ hours

Teens (ages 11-15)

• Bronze: 50-74 hours
• Silver: 75-99 hours
• Gold:100+ hours

Young Adults (16-25)

• Bronze:100-174 hours
• Silver: 175-249 hours    
• Gold: 250+ hours

President's Lifetime Achievement Award: Individuals who have completed 4,000 or more hours in their lifetime. The Lifetime Achievement Award is not available to be awarded at this time. See www.presidentialserviceawards.gov for updates. 

Eden Prairie High School students can earn a Varsity Letter by meeting specific criteria in the area of community service.

All high school students are eligible to apply and can earn a letter each year.

Varsity Lettering Criteria

150 hours of unpaid, volunteer service completed in any 12-month period beginning the summer before grade 9. At least 75 hours must be completed through one agency or for one cause to ensure understanding and sustained commitment to a selected social issue that is personally relevant to you (e.g., homelessness, elderly care, poverty, literacy, environment, health care).

A record of all service hours verified by an adult supervisor or parent.

Two recommendation letters from organizations or people serving describing your service and performance.

You must be academically eligible (2.0 or above GPA) and chemical-free during the year to participate in this program.

EPHS Application for Varsity Letter in Community Service

How Do I Record my Community Service Hours?

All volunteer hours recorded must be verified by the organization where service is performed, or by a parent or adult supervisor.

Letters of Recommendation

Obtain two letters of recommendation from the agencies or individuals you served.

You are encouraged to contact Marissa Brandt by email at mbrandt@edenpr.org if you have questions or wish to review your reflection before submitting it.