Jim Taylor, CEO of leading regional general contractor TAYLOR - The Builders, and an honoree in the Community Champion category at the 2013 Greater Rochester Awards, has always gone beyond the typical commitment to his local community. Taylor was able to honor St. John Fisher College student athletes with a similar commitment, as he presented the Community Champion Award to Andrea Gillespie, Laura Burgstrom, and Katie Burgstrom at the Second Annual Senior Athlete Awards Banquet held at Woodcliff Hotel and Spa.
"This award has been established to recognize the contributions of a St. John Fisher student-athlete to the College community and the community at large, who embodies the spirit of leadership, commitment, and selflessness, and who strives to make the community a healing, unifying, enlightening force," said Taylor. "This award recognizes student athletes who study for the sake of learning, give for the sake of giving, and understand that personal accomplishment is never achieved alone."
Gillespie, senior on the women's volleyball program, has volunteered over 800 hours at Friendly Home - a nursing home here in Pittsford - serving in various capacities throughout her four-year career. She has also volunteered several hours for various organizations and events in Rochester, including the annual Ronald MacDonald House Gala Fundraiser, Camp Cory on Keuka Lake, and the Monroe Family YMCA. Gillespie has also been involved in Relay For Life, Students with a Vision and Holy Rosary School in Rochester. Andrea will graduate in May with a degree in Management and a 3.73 GPA.
Twin sisters, Laura and Katie Burgstrom of the women's soccer program, have also been involved in several charitable organizations throughout their collegiate career, serving as youth soccer coaches, volunteering at the Memorial Art Gallery and Golisano Children's Hospital. On May 16, the duo will travel to Jamaica to volunteer with a two week-long summer camp for economically disadvantaged Jamaican youth from Kingston. The main camp utilizes sports training as a vehicle to improve self-esteem, physical well-being, teamwork, values and cross-cultural learning. Katie, who also served as treasurer and secretary on Fisher's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), will graduate with degree in English and a 3.32 GPA, while Laura majors in history with a 3.74 GPA. Tags: