(Posted October 29, 2001)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Rachel Locke, a junior at Juniata College studying elementary and special education and the daughter of Dave and Deborah Locke of Altoona, 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 as the co-director of a local tutoring program.

Locke is co-director of the Ark of Learning tutoring program in Huntingdon. The Ark of Learning is a tutoring and mentoring program offered to children in grades 1 through 12. The program is sponsored by the Salvation Army.

Locke served as a tutor in the Ark of Learning program for two years, tutoring eight different elementary and middle school students. As a Bonner Leader, she is now co-directing the program with another Juniata student. The directors recruit tutors from Juniata College and students in need of tutoring from local elementary schools, offer training sessions for tutors, act as liaisons between the Salvation Army and Juniata College, keep records of tutoring sessions, and tutor students themselves.

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.

Locke is a 1999 graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School.

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