Anthony Quach selected as 2012 Tigard Shining Stars Youth Volunteer of the Year

Anthony Quach has been selected as the 2012 Shining Stars Tigard Youth Volunteer of the Year, named in honor of former Mayor Jim Nicoli, who passed away in 2000. Mayor Nicoli’s dedication to the youth of our community was a fitting way to honor his name and award a youth in our community who volunteers to make a difference. Many young people in Tigard are active in volunteer efforts and it is our pleasure to acknowledge their contributions of dedication, energy and community spirit. They are the future! Anthony exemplifies these characteristics as he is actively involved in helping others within the community and Tigard High School through National Honor Society, Key Club, Asian Club, Spanish National Honor Society, D.A.R.E  camp counselor (3 summers), Link Krew Leader, Family Fest Volunteer, Tigard High Canned Food Drive and fundraising for  a local TTSD cancer victim.  With his NHS and Key Club activities, Anthony has given over 150 volunteer hours alone. As a Link Krew Leader, a Tigard High school leadership program that assists incoming freshman with transition to high school, Anthony is actively involved with helping fellow students.  As a DARE camp counselor for the last 3 summers, Anthony volunteers at the camp which is committed to supporting middle school students build self esteem through interactions with positive role models. During his Junior year, Anthony lead the charge in an intense competition for Tigard High’s Canned Food Drive, exceeded his goal and collected 16,000 pounds of canned food for Loaves and Fishes.  His ability to engage groups came to the forefront in a second money-raising effort, this time to assist a middle school student in the the Tigard Tualatin School District fighting cancer.  Anthony and others at Tigard High ended up raising thousands of dollars to help this family. In addition to his community involvement Anthony has also been recognized as an Academic All American, a Varsity Scholar Athlete, is active in Tigard High School Student Government, Speech and Debate team, Cross Country, Track and Field and Basketball and the Principals’ Student Advisory Council and will graduate among the top in his class with a Full Diploma from Tigard High’s International Baccalaureate Program. With a natural inclination to help others, it is no surprise that Anthony  is seeking a career in medicine with a focus on pediatrics and a plan to either work for Doctors Without Borders, or for the Institute for Pediatric Innovation (IPI).  Doctors Without Borders provides medical humanitarian aid to countries threatened by natural disasters and armed conflicts, while IPI focuses on improving the quality of healthcare for children through methods like product innovation.  As you can see, Anthony plans to make a difference not only in the community, but in the world. Please join us in congratulating Anthony on this well-deserved award. The Youth Volunteer of the Year award will be formally presented with other Tigard volunteer and business awards at Tigard’s 2012 Shining Stars Community Awards Celebration, sponsored by Platinum Title Sponsor West Coast Bank and held on Friday, April 27th from 6-9 p.m. at Embassy Suites – Washington Square, event location host. With a theme of “Escape to a Night in the Caribbean”, this Caribbean themed dinner event includes dinner, silent auction, steel drum music, limbo, awards, and more. Tickets are only $35/person, dress is casual, tropical. Come join us to celebrate Tigard. For further details about Shining Stars, please contact the Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce at 503-639-1656 or at info@tigardchamber.org  or go to our webpage at www.tigardchamber.org  About Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) The TACC, established in 1955, is a forward thinking membership organization which provides opportunities for consistent and sustainable long-term business growth!  The TACC is creating a strong, interconnected business community where strength through collaboration and power through partnerships makes Business Soar.  We do this by building a strong local economy, providing business networking, being involved in our community and representing the interests of business with government.