Bridgewater College senior Kayla D. Wilson has received the Melissa D. Jett Community Service Award. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in community service.
The award is named in memory of Melissa D. Jett, who would have graduated with the Bridgewater College class of 1999. She died Jan. 15, 1997, as the result of a traffic accident on campus. During her life, Jett was dedicated to serving others. The award is presented to a student “who has demonstrated consistent and exemplary leadership in community service while a student at Bridgewater College.”
Wilson, a sociology major with a minor in social work and a gender studies concentration, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Wilson of Virginia Beach, Va.
Wilson is founder of HEAL (Health Education, Active Lifestyle), a club at Bridgewater College that raises awareness about health issues and encourages individuals to get involved in physical activities on- and off-campus.
As a member of the Spiritual Life Board, Wilson raised money and material items for people who lost possessions or had homes damaged from Hurricane Harvey. She also served as a student leader for Bridgewater College’s CROP Meal and Hunger Walk.
Wilson volunteered with Loads of Love, washing clothes for the homeless who were staying at the Open Doors shelter. She also collected toiletries and clothing for the shelter and assisted with food service and other activities.
She helped lead a campus-wide food drive for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and volunteered at a food bank in Virginia Beach.
In honor of her father who has diabetes, Wilson has volunteered with The American Diabetes Association’s Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes and Tour de Cure.
Following graduation, Wilson will pursue a master’s degree in social work at Norfolk State University.
