On game day the students will also receive an on-field pre-game photo and will be highlighted on the RAVENVISION video screen at the stadium during the game. Honor Rows awards are presented by M&T Bank and supported by the Ravens and the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism.

“When we informed them at a group meeting, the ECHOSTARS students were excited to hear that they had been recognized for their service, and then they were even more excited to hear they will be going to a Ravens home game,” said Patrick O’Brien, associate director of FSU’s Office of Volunteerism and National Service.

“I am so proud of the members of the ECHOSTARS Volunteer Program (Empowering Communities – Helping Others – Service Through Action, Resources and Sustainability) who are living, learning and serving so as to make change in their communities,” said U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski in a letter of congratulations. “Your experience and achievements are exactly why I was one of the original sponsors of the 1990 National and Community Service Act which established AmeriCorps.”

ECHOSTARS is comprised of 65 dedicated Frostburg freshmen. Through scheduled routine service hours each week and special projects throughout the semester, students tackle poverty, literacy, the underserved, environmental and other issues affecting Western Maryland. Each year as a group, the ECHOSTARS serve over 18,000 hours of direct assistance in Western Maryland, addressing the identified needs of its region. Thanks to the efforts of ECHOSTARS, organizations such as the YMCA, Salvation Army, state parks and area schools and senior citizen centers receive much-needed assistance. The ECHOSTARS program is supported by the A STAR! in Western Maryland’s AmeriCorps program.