Miguel Chacon has been selected by the Rotary Club of Los Alamos for a 2020 Community Service Award. Courtesy photo
BY LINDA HULL
Rotary Club of Los Alamos
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos is pleased to announce that Miguel Chacon has been selected as one of its two 2020 Community Service Award recipients. The honor carries an award of $2000 and is given to high school seniors in recognition of exceptional service to others in hopes of encouraging recipients to continue their service well into the future. Traditionally the awards are presented during the Los Alamos High School Convocation at the end of May. We regret that public health precautions prevent us for applauding these graduating seniors in person!
Chacon has provided outstanding community service by co-founding the Rotary Interact Club, a Rotary International youth organization that promotes community service, leadership, and international understanding. As president of Interact, Chacon guided the planning and implementation of service projects, in particular one that addressed vaping and peer pressure at the high school, an issue of concern to him and his brother.
For his Eagle Scout project, Chacon xeriscaped a rugged piece of land at Mountain Elementary School, creating an attractive outdoor classroom space and memorial garden. His service to Boy Scouts also includes making benches for trails at Bandelier National Monument, installing fencing and building benches at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and volunteering at Memorial Day ceremonies at Guaje Pines Cemetery. In addition, Chacon is a member of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouting’s honor society, and is a Senior Patrol Leader, its highest leadership position. He has also served as a camp counselor at Gorham Scout Ranch, teaching emergency preparedness, first aid, and search and rescue skills to other Scouts.
As a member of National Honor Society, Chacon has volunteered at many Mountain Elementary School activities, and he has participated in the Mexico Mission Trip to Puerto Peñasco, helping build three homes for needy families.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos commends Chacon for his community service and wishes him only the best as he pursues his engineering interests in college.
Chacon is the son of Isabel Cuesta and Luis Chacon.