Amanda Watson was never really interested in volunteering. That is, until she came to the University of North Florida. Watson was required to participate in a Service Learning class her freshman year and her appetite for volunteering has gone unquenched since. Watson was honored for her dedication to volunteering in November when she was selected to serve on the Florida Youth Advisory Council of the Florida Commission on Community Service.

Watson was one of 22 students who was selected to serve on the commission's new board, responsible for shaping local and state policies related to volunteerism. "It is good to meet other people from around the state who are working toward the same thing I am," she said. "It is nice to see the accomplishments students have made in their communities." Watson said the main goal of the council, which meets three times a year, is to encourage vounteerism on college campuses. Watson said she has a meeting with the staff at the Volunteer Center to discuss ways to encourage volunteerism at UNF.

The 21-year-old senior brings volunteerism into the classroom as a student facilitator for a service learning class in the Honors Program. She also is in charge of the Students Engaged in Reflective Volunteer Experiences Team for the Honors Program, a group that has recently built houses with Rotaract and Beaches Habitat for Humanity and organized a literacy festival for area children. In addition to her role as SERVE Team leader, Watson also serves as the Honors Service Learning Coordinator's assistant.

"I've always received a lot of support from my family and those who are around me," Watson said. "Not everyone has that support system, but through service, you are able to give back that support."