Three students from St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, have been honored for their exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Kristen Yost, 18, Kristen Cournane, 17, and Jean-Pierre Tenesaca, 16, received the honor from The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Barack Obama.   The award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.

These students have run the gamut in terms of following in the footsteps of their school’s patron, St. Francis of Assisi. Francis dedicated himself to providing for those on the farthest fringes of life. These young people have served as retreat leaders, traveled to Peru to help those less fortunate, volunteered at a local public school to work with challenged students, counseled their peers and volunteered for Prep’s Party for those with Special Needs.

“Their vision and leadership in the area of service provides wonderful Franciscan modeling for our entire school community,” said Patrick McLaughlin, principal. “We are proud of them.”