Honorable Mention, Foreign Service Youth Foundation

This article was in the Foreign Service Youth Foundation newsletter and sent to all State Department Employees.

Molly Spessert, age 18, was awarded an honorable mention for her work in community service. She is the daughter of Robert and Cheryl Spessert, currently posted to Kuwait. Molly graduated from ACS Hillingdon International School, London, UK, one year early in order to pursue her community service work in the Middle East. Since November 2009, Molly has worked for Operation Hope Kuwait (an organization providing humanitarian relief primarily to expatriate laborers in Kuwait). In her role as the Student Ambassador, Molly coordinates with local schools to organize clothing and supply drives for the needy third country nationals. Molly leads approximately 20 other teenagers in managing a weekly clothing locker. This service provides critical clothing protection to 5,000-plus workers who face grueling work hours, in heat, cold, wind and sand. She has also designed the new website for Operation Hope. Orphans are at the center of Molly's heart and she has worked with them in Bulgaria, Macedonia and South Africa. When she is not helping others, Molly's hobbies include photography and traveling. This fall she will be attending the University of Elon and will continue to pursue opportunities to serve.

Everyone associated with the Foreign Service Youth Foundation, the Family Liaison Office and the Department of State congratulates the 2010 community service award winners and nominees. These outstanding U.S. Foreign Service youth demonstrate the generosity of spirit that is truly American.