Daniel Oliver, a senior at Emerson High School, received Kirkland Chamber’s Lee Johnson Community Service Award at their Dec. 10 luncheon. The Lee Johnson Community Service Award goes to a student in the Kirkland community who has shown a great drive to be involved in curricular and extra-curricular activities.

When Oliver was in fifth grade, he started volunteering at a local animal shelter. In sixth grade, he began volunteering with Bellevue Parks and Recreation, cleaning up trash and helping with landscaping. He currently volunteers with the Bellevue Youth Theatre, performing as an actor, working on sets and as a technical assistant with lighting. He also volunteers in the concession booth, works with children during summer camps and accompanies student performers on percussion instruments.

At Emerson High School, Oliver helps organize the holiday toy drive, assists special education students, plans dinners and auctions to raise funds for school activities, welcomes visitors at Open House and helps orientate new students to the school. Oliver is a member of Life Smarts, which is a professional leadership organization that is connected with Future Business Leaders of America. He is an active member of Core Congress/ASB meetings and leads class meetings.

Oliver’s teachers describe him as responsible, reliable and always willing to participate in leadership activities inside and outside of the school day. They note that he has a unique sense of humor that puts others at ease. When planning school activities, Oliver makes sure that all students are included.

Next year Oliver plans to attend Bellevue College. He is considering a career in teaching.