Olivia Sawyer
extra, in all the right ways
Meet Olivia
Olivia is a graduate from the Lake Placid Central School and is currently a student at North Country Community College studying in Health Services. She is the daughter of Kerry White, William White and Travis Sawyer. She has a sister, Ava and brother, Seth. In her spare time she enjoys playing volleyball, hanging out with friends, working, volunteering, and participating in youth group activities at the Adirondack Community Church. Olivia is also working part time in a local nursing home and in her spare time is a Skin Care Consultant
Olivia has completed an impressive 338 total hours of volunteer work. Some events Olivia has participated in are helping at the Lake Placid Ironman event, supporting the Tri-Lakes Animal Shelter, Lake Placid and Saranac Lake Village Clean-ups, Plunge for a Cause, helping at the Adirondack Community Church Christmas Dinner, tour guiding for LPHS Open House, packing food for children in need in Africa, and much more.
Olivia has also been on four mission trips to repair houses for people in need in Scranton (PA), Mescelero (NM), Cedar Grove (WV), and Navajo Mountain (UT). In middle school, Olivia was in Builder’s Club and throughout high school has been an active member in Key Club. One of her favorite volunteering moments was helping at the Elementary School Holiday Shopping Day.
Olivia currently participates in NCCC's tutoring center
to help students in need.
Volunteering, volunteering, and more volunteering
Keep one, donate one
A major component of Olivia’s senior project was creating a Knitting Club at the Lake Placid Middle/ High School, The club was created for 8th graders, high schoolers, and faculty. Due to a very generous grant from the CYC, she was able to provide knitting needles and yarn to all club participants. The motto was “ Keep One, Donate One” and the donated scarves would be given to the North Elba Christmas Fund. This was such an extraordinary experience and she hopes someone picks up and continues the club next year.
What's next
Olivia will continue her college career as well as working on her next trip to Cambodia for missionary work with her church. She was accepted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society. Olivia plans to continue volunteering in this community for years to come. In response to being selected as the 2018 Lake Placid-North Elba Teen Volunteer of the Year (pictured to the left), Olivia said:
I could not be happier to receive an a award that captures what I love to do for the world and especially my community. Volunteering keeps me grounded as a person, helps me appreciate the little things in life, and gives me the chance to give back to others from around the world.
Do you know someone who excels in art, music, athletics, academics, or is just plain awesome? We are looking for exceptional teens who live in the Adirondacks to feature as our next Hot Shot. Send us your nomination or feel free to nominate yourself here.