Bridget McCann's Light Shines Through Her Mission Work

Name: Bridget McCann

Age: 18

School: Senior at Immaculate Conception High School

Achievement: Bridget was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award. This award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of time to serve their community and their country. Bridget received the award through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Barack Obama.

Key to Awesomeness: Despite her busy schedule as a senior, Bridget still makes time for volunteering, something she says is important to her.

“I really love giving back to the community,” Bridget says. “It’s so gratifying.” 

Bridget has participated in Relay for Life and Crop Walk, and volunteered for Special Olympics. She’s also raised money through the DuPage Habitat for Humanity volleyball tournament. 

Nearest to her heart is the work she’s done on mission trips. For the past two summers, Bridget has traveled with her parish youth group to do work for Habitat for Humanity. In Mississippi, the group built a shed, and in Michigan, the group worked on rehabbing a basement. It was hard work, but Bridget says she learned a lot.

“I got to go with a bunch of my friends, and I met new friends along the way. We just shared so many memories,” she says.

Bridget is still in the process of deciding where she will go to college next year, but she plans on pursuing a degree in the medical field. Regardless, she will continue to help people through volunteering.

“It feels really good when they say thank you. They don’t even need to say thank you, but I can just tell when they appreciate my help,” she says.