(Posted March 5, 2002)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. --Brandy Krug, a junior at Juniata College studying biology and the daughter of Donald and Shane Krug of Ashville, Pa., was named a Bonner Leader by Juniata College, to honor a commitment to perform 900 hours of community service over the next two years with the local Head Start program.

Krug is coordinating all Juniata students who volunteer in the Head Start classrooms in Huntingdon, providing orientation sessions, ensuring completion of necessary medical forms, and arranging schedules for the volunteers. Krug also serves directly in the classrooms.

Additionally, she assists with the planning of major events for families enrolled in programs at Head Start. In the fall, Krug recruited Juniata College student organizations to host games and activities at the Local Interagency Coordinators Council Fair, a free event that included health screenings and information booths in addition to games for children. She also worked to publicize the event in the community. This season, Krug is co-chairing the planning committee for the 2nd Annual Young Child Carnival, held at Juniata College in April, also a free event for families in the Huntingdon community.

The Bonner Leaders program is a partnership of the Bonner Foundation of Princeton, N.J.; AmeriCorps; and the Office of Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs at Juniata College. Through this new program, eight students will perform 900 hours of community service over a two-year period. Bonner Leaders serve in a non-profit agency, helping to coordinate programs and recruit volunteers, for two consecutive academic years, and have the opportunity to participate in a summer internship during their term of service.

In addition to performing direct service, the Bonner Leaders benefit from leadership training and are mentored by Juniata administrators and alumni. Depending on eligibility, most Bonner Leaders are paid through the Federal Work-Study program; and upon completion of their 900 hours of service, they receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,362.50.

Krug is a 1999 graduate of Penn Cambria High School.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.