Alexandra Ike, age 18, was selected to receive one of two community service awards for demonstrating strong leadership and service to her local community in Ghana. She served as president of Street Girls Aid, raising over $1,000 to assist working, homeless mothers by providing a safe place for their children to go everyday. She also served as the president of her school’s Habitat for Humanity, leading and organizing efforts to build homes in impoverished communities. With her committee’s support, Alexandra raised over 900 Ghana Cedis to assist a local village in building a library. As a member of her high school’s theater group, Alexandra visited and performed at a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana and helped raise over $500 for the refugee children’s school. In addition, she volunteered with WorldVenture Ghana to reach young ladies in her age group and made personal visits to their villages.

Jared Gibson, age 16, was selected to receive the second of two community service awards for his work in introducing skateboarding to local youth in Tunisia. He taught classes to children and teenagers, and educated them on important safety precautions. He used his skills to host skateboarding events and raised over $600 to benefit an ailing ten-year-old boy from a small village close to the Embassy community in Tunis. Through Jared’s passion for skateboarding, the international community in Tunis has been introduced to a new sport and a family in need received financial assistance to help with their child’s medical care.

“We are very proud to sponsor this award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of U.S. Foreign Service youth,” said Chris Beck, president of Clements Worldwide. “It is truly inspiring to see the impact they have had on their communities, all while handling the unique challenges of the expatriate lifestyle.”

The 2011 Foreign Service Youth Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, July 15 at noon at the Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Click here to read the official press release.

Clements will award the M. Juanita Guess Award to Mike Vining of the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia during the 2011 American Foreign Service Awards on June 24.

The M. Juanita Guess Award is presented to a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, initiative or imagination in assisting the families of Americans serving at an overseas post. This award was established in memory of M. Juanita Guess, former president of Clements Worldwide, and is one of several presented annually by the American Foreign Service Association(AFSA).

Vining is being honored for his energetic and passionate involvement in his local Foreign Service community. He went beyond the call of duty as a Community Liaison Officer to revive and publish a weekly community newsletter, and organized the Fourth of July Picnic, the largest American event of the year in Mongolia. He also secured funding to renovate the community center into a fun, popular space for children and embassy employees, in addition to coordinating special events for embassy families.

“On behalf of Clements Worldwide, we are truly honored to award Mike Vining the 2011 M. Juanita Guess Award,” said Sergio Sanchez, director of marketing for Clements Worldwide. “We have a longstanding relationship with the U.S. Foreign Service and this award demonstrates our strong support for their community. Mr. Vining has made an undeniably significant contribution to his community and a difference in the lives of others, so today we honor him.”