Earlier this month, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and the City of Alameda’s Social Service Human Relations Board honored three Alameda students — Henry Mills, Noa Joseph and Serena McIntosh — with Youth Services Awards.

Mills is a sophomore at Alameda High School who sits as a student Board of Education member. Over the last several years, Mills has worked on updating dress code and sexual harassment policies for the school district.

He also created the district’s first ever Student Advisory Board, and has volunteered at the Alameda Food Bank, the Alameda Animal Shelter, Trinity Lutheran Church, nursing homes, and community events for youth.

He is a cabinet member to Junior State of America and the Director of Communications for the California Student Board Member Association. As an intern at Alameda Family Services’ School Based Health Center, Henry has facilitated workshops, classroom presentations, and lunch time events to help students connect with free and confidential resources regarding mental health, sexual wellness, and self-care.

Joseph is as third-grader Otis Elementary School. Last summer, he created the “Art Gallery for Good” to raise money for the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

The project started as a local kids’ artwork display, but it soon went viral and adult artists donated their work to the cause.

Joseph produced the materials to publicize the project, created numerous art pieces to sell, and set up a Go Fund Me campaign,

Joseph also hosted an event at Krusi Park. Between the Go Fund Me campaign and the Art Gallery for Good donations, Noa raised more than $750 for the Alameda County Community Food Bank!

Serena McIntosh is a senior at Alameda High School. Her script for a public service advertisement on preventing underage drinking won first place in a state competition.

The prize included working with a Hollywood film crew to produce the announcement. Serena chose a non-binary friend as the lead, thereby giving visibility to the LGBTQ community.

McIntosh is also the president of the Alameda High School Film Club and a Link Crew leader. Link Crew is a program that supports freshman students in their transition into high school, She is also a co-captain of the cheer-leading squad.