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Each year, the Paynesville Lions Club recognizes eight seniors at Paynesville Area High School for their volunteer work, both at school and in the community. Herzberg and Weidner, selected for the month of October, were the first seniors to be recognized this school year.

Both Herzberg and Weidner said that they were very happy to be recognized for their volunteer efforts.

Volunteering is important, said Weidner, because "everyone has something to share, and I like to help people to reach their goals."

Seniors Laura Weidner and Kelly Herzberg were recognized for their community service and volunteer efforts by the Paynesville Lions Club with its Youth Service Award for October.

"I have been blessed with so much," added Herzberg on why she volunteers. "I feel it is definitely important to give back."

Herzberg's favorite volunteering memory was "doing the kid's club and working on fixing up houses on my mission trip to Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota."

Weidner's favorite memory from volunteering was teaching fifth grade religion classes with her friend Tiffany Gruber.

Herzberg, the daughter of Gary and Marilyn Herzberg, is a peer helper, peer tutor, and student aide, including teaching Spanish to kindergartners at school as well as a member of SADD and SAVE/STAR. She belongs to the National Honor Society and the letterclub, competes in danceline, and works for the yearbook and the school newspaper.

At Grace United Methodist Church, she is active in youth fellowship, teaches Sunday School, does childcare, and helps clean the church. She helped build and helps to maintain the prayer garden and participated in mission trips to Appalachia and South Dakota.

She plans to attend either Southwest State University or the University of Minnesota-Morris next year.

Weidner, the daughter of JoAnn and Scott Weidner, is a peer tutor, peer helper, and volunteer in the family and consumer science classroom at school. She played volleyball and basketball and plays in the band. She also belongs to the National Honor Society.

At St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Henry, she is a religion teacher, organist, and lector. She plays flute for the choir and helps to decorate the church. She has taken a mission trip to South Dakota with a church group as well.

Next year, Weidner plans to attend South Dakota State University.