THE 2016 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD
Reynaldo (Rey) Decerega '91
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Through service, one realizes the power and riches of giving and how it can positively impact others. ~ Rey Decerega
BY MANDI SAPP
"My message is a simple one and one that many already know to be true—You have the power to make a difference," Rey Decerega '91 said. Rey
lives this mission every day as the Director of Programs at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, D.C. He is passionate about providing leadership programs and career training for the young professionals there, so they can become leaders in their community. On a global scale, he has developed basketball camps in his native Panama by bringing coaches from the U.S. to teach the fundamentals of the game. "My journey in making a difference started at St. Stephen's," Rey said with heartfelt emotion. "I had teachers and coaches that took an interest in my life and I am forever thankful to them. The example set by these teachers and coaches guides much of the work that I do today." To honor his devotion and commitment to service, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School proudly recognized Rey as the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Service Award recipient during an Upper School chapel service on May 11. "Receiving this award is a humbling moment in my life," said Rey. "For others to view my life in the context of a life of service has to be one of the highest compliments that I can receive. I am so impressed by the trajectories of those that have previously received this award and what they have done to serve others. More than anything, this award is a reflection of those 20 | SSSAS
that gave me great examples of service—teachers, coaches, professors, and my parents." Rey began his career working with students in college as a case manager for a summer youth employment program in Fairfax County. After teaching for six years he attended graduate school where he landed the opportunity to work for the nonprofit, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, engaging college students from all over the world. Rey has continued to work with college students and young adults in a professional capacity for the past ten years, including in his current role at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Their mission is to develop the next generation of Latino leaders. Rey specifically oversees the participation of college students and young adults that come to Washington, D.C. for professional and leadership training. During their time in D.C., Rey works to ensure that they have a powerful experience throughout their placement and community service activities, and that they actively think about civic engagement, self-empowerment, community, and public policy. Bottom left photo: Head of School Kirsten Adams presenting Rey with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award. Bottom right photo left to right: Friend Melody Gonzales, Rey, and his sister, Mirey Comes.
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HISTORY OF THE AWARD Recipients: 2014: Randy Hollerith '82 2012: Elizabeth Bellino '94 2010: Maxwell Ramsey '81 Established in 2010, the biennial award honors an alumnus or alumna who through service, leadership, and achievement has distinguished him/herself at SSSAS and the community at large. The recipient should, through the quality of his/her life, spirit, and service, exemplify the ideals of the SSSAS mission: a commitment to service, the pursuit of goodness as well as knowledge, and the honoring of each person as a child of God in a caring community. Any member of the school community may nominate an alumna or alumnus for the award. The executive committee of the Alumni Association Board selects the recipient in consultation with the head of school and alumni relations staff. 22 | SSSAS
While managing a busy professional career, Rey has also devoted countless hours to his alma mater serving as a member of the SSSAS Alumni Association Board, an Admission Office Volunteer, and a Reunion Committee Member. During his time at St. Stephen's, Rey played several different sports including football, soccer, and baseball, but his primary sport was basketball. He was part of the 1989 and 1990 Sleepy Thompson Championship teams and his love of basketball continues to play a major role in his life today. Rey finished his St. Stephen's education with distinction, earning the Emmet H. Hoy Jr. Scholarship, the Model Athlete Award, and a St. Stephen's Medal. "Today is a special day in the life of our school as we recognize Rey for his commitment to service," Head of School Kirsten Adams said at the chapel service honoring him in May. During her introduction, Mrs. Adams shared a message from Rey's former geometry teacher and coach, Doug Adams: "I remember that Rey was a solid math student but, more importantly, he was a solid member of our community and a fine young man. He was a model athlete, and he always handled himself with character and class." Rey then addressed the entire Upper School with an insightful and heartfelt speech about
his service-related work. "Working with young Latinos, who often times are the first in their families to go to college, proves to be extremely rewarding. These young people come from communities that do not have resources readily available and school districts that do not always have the best learning environments. They come from families that are trying to get a piece of the American dream. By the end of the leadership program, they have a better sense of themselves and of the opportunities that they might be able to pursue in the future." Family, friends, current and former faculty, classmates, and other members of the alumni community gathered in support of Rey, attending a breakfast and the chapel service. Rey received a silver tray engraved with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award logo; names of our recipients are also inscribed on a plaque in the hallway of the Upper School. "My advice to young people who have an interest in service-related work is to align one's personal mission with that of an organization's or a cause—whether it be social, health, environmental, or anything else that one has a passion for in life," Rey said. "Furthermore, knowing one's strengths and weaknesses and how one can be an asset to the work of an organization proves important as well. The mission of whatever entity should be put at the forefront of their work and advancing that mission should guide them. Having a passion and a reason to wake up every morning to go
to work must be in place to be successful in anything that you do in life, and being passionate about service is no different." To watch a video of Rey's chapel address, visit: www.livestream.com/SSSAS. Photo on opposite page: Rey working with special needs children in Panama. Photo above: Rey with St. Stephen's classmates and friends at the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Service Award ceremony.
SERVICE AT SSSAS At Stephen's & St. Agnes School, service learning is a key part of the multidimensional JK-12 curriculum. Service and learning objectives are combined with the intent that the activity changes both the recipient and the provider of the service. Service tasks are combined with structured opportunities that lead to self-reflection, self-discovery, and the acquisition and comprehension of values, skills, and knowledge content. www.SSSAS.org | 23