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Young honoree's advice: 'Get involved'

By Mike Price

The Don Carlos Humanitarian Award, which bears the namesake of Tempe’s founder Charles Trumbell “Don Carlos” Hayden, has long been viewed as the benchmark by which community service and dedication are honored.

For the up-and-comers in the community, a youth version of the Don Carlos Award has been created to salute a young member of the community who demonstrates leadership and commitment.

This year, Tempe resident and 2002 Corona del Sol High School Graduate Danielle Castelli will be a recipient of the Hayden Youth and Young Adult Award.

Castelli has been involved in many services and programs that benefit the community and help those less fortunate.

“It’s really cool to be recognized for something that I love to do,” Castelli said. “You can help by doing the smallest things.”

When Castelli was in high school, she was heavily involved in the Tempe Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission. She was active in the commission for three years, eventually becoming chairperson of the commission her senior year of high school.

Castelli also was a founding member of the Interact Club, a Rotary International-affiliated organization.

She went on to become president of the club for two years and participated in several community service events and projects.

Most notable, however, was the group’s trip to Ground Zero in New York City to give a proclamation from Gov. Jane Hull on behalf of the state of Arizona.

Castelli coordinated the fundraising which helped raise $18,000 to send herself at 16 other students on the trip.

Once in New York City, Castelli presented the proclamation to the emergency services workers of New York.

In addition to all her work at school, Castelli is also involved in numerous extracurricular community services.

One of her primary interests is the Tempe South Rotary club, where she takes the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” to heart.

In conjunction with the club, Castelli has worked with kids, helped with zoo and neighborhood clean-up endeavors, helped organize the Rotary River Rally and served meals to the less fortunate at Paz de Cristo Community Center.

Despite the multitude of services Castelli has helped with, she has a particular affinity for children.

“One of my favorite things I’ve done is coached softball,” Castelli said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Her dedication to the youth of the community goes beyond coaching. Castelli serves as a volunteer teen attorney in both Tempe and Chandler justice courts and volunteers at Broadmor Elementary School.

Currently, she is a freshman at Arizona State University and is plans to major in elementary education.

Castelli encourages everyone to get involved in some way to help the community.

“Find something that you love to do,” Castelli said.

“Research what’s out there. There are a lot of opportunities available.”

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