The Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau is pleased to announce this week’s featured Youth Citizenship Award recipient is Olivia Graham.
She is the daughter of Jason and Kristine Graham and is a senior at Allegany-Limestone High School.
Graham was nominated by her school counselor, who describes her as a wonderful young lady who dedicates the majority of her time to her school community. She is a member of many clubs at school in which she serves a lead role. She has continually made a positive contribution to her community throughout high school.
After graduation, Graham plans to attend the nursing program at Jamestown Community College to follow in the footsteps of her mom, aunt, cousin and great-grandmother.
Graham has earned many hours of community service by volunteering her time to the Alzheimer’s Association. She was the elephant mascot during one of the Walks to End Alzheimers, cheering on participants. Graham participates in the Pink Pumpkin Project, selling baked goods to raise awareness for breast cancer. Graham also volunteers her time and talent singing the national anthem at sporting events.
As part of her membership in the National Honor Society, Graham is required to complete 10 hours of community service, where she donated blood and helped with a pancake dinner to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. In the National Junior Honor Society, Graham organized a fundraiser to sell reusable grocery bags. She donates the money to an organization that uses recycled plastic to build schools in Africa.
In school, Graham is a member of many extracurricular activities such as National Honor Society, two years, inducted in her junior year; National Junior Honor Society, three years, inducted in seventh grade; vice president in eight grade and president in ninth grade; chorus: alto for eight years, participated in Area-All State, All-County and NYSSMA and also sings and plays piano in church; band, playing flute, piano and ukulele for eight years. Currently, she is the band secretary and has participated in Buffalo State Honor Band, All-County and NYSSMA.
In Drama Club for six years, Graham played characters such as Cinderella and Mrs. Potts. She also held the position of vice president her junior year; Student Activity Council, three years, president her junior year; and Spanish Club for two years, participated in bake sales to raise money for a trip to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.
Graham has received the Seal of Biliteracy and will graduate able to speak three languages. During her junior year, Graham was given the Director Award for band and chorus as a top leader and performer.
Every quarter since ninth grade Graham has achieved high honor roll with merit by having her grade point average above 94%. She even received the Blue Ribbon Award for the English class she takes at Jamestown Community College for having the highest average. After applying, Oliva received the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award through CollegeBoard, a program that awards academic honors to sophomores and juniors.
Outside of school, Graham’s special interests include dirt biking, playing piano, crocheting and farming.
Nominations for the 2024 graduating class are open. Nominations will not be accepted after Feb. 28, 2024. If you know an outstanding member of your community who is a senior in high school, you can nominate them for a Cattaraugus County Youth Citizenship Award. For more information, visit cattcoyouth.org or contact Christina O’Brien, Youth Bureau program coordinator, at (716) 938-2617.
