Star Struck in DC- the National Service version of the Oscars

Auditorium before the event

Enter the stately hall (Mellon Auditorium on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC) only instead of fancy ball gowns and tuxedos everyone is sporting the AmeriCorps "A" or a sensible business suit. Initially there is a rehearsal of the prepared remarks and blocking or how to enter the stage properly and where the camera and lights are positioned. After the rehearsal the "talent" and their entourage retire to the green room to rub elbows with VIPs and Super Stars. 

Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) president David Battey with YVC alum Dhriti Pandya 

Only these superstars aren't know for their blockbusters. They are known for breaking down walls of political partisanship or building homes after disasters. 

This is the kickoff celebrating the 20th Anniversary of  President Clinton signing the bipartisan National and Community Service Trust Act on September 21, 1993, creating AmeriCorps and uniting VISTA, Senior Corps, and other service programs under a new federal agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Since then, more 820,000 men and women have served in AmeriCorps, providing more than 1 billion hours of service to our country. 

The opening ceremony includes a performance of the Marine Corps Brass Band and the presentation of colors by US military members and, while they are not as flashy as the Black Eyed Peas, we all know they have more than earned the right to open such a prestigious occasion. 

Marine Corps Brass Band

Presentation of the Colors

Speakers as well known in the National Service family as Tom Cruise or as beloved as Meryl Streep are ready take the stage.  

Harris Woofard- Godfather of National Service, the first CEO to the Corporation for National and Community Service and a former senator to Pennsylvania. 

Dhriti meets her hero the Honorable Harris Wofford

Bill Basl- Big Time Director, currently serving as the Director of AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps Director Bill Basl and AmeriCorp Alums North Texas Chapter Leaders

The Honorable James Joseph- United States Ambassador to South Africa (who sounds a great deal like James Earl Jones)

The Honorable James Joseph

Wendy Spencer- The Action Hero (Heroine) affectionately referred to as the Hurricane the current CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Hurricane Wendy Spencer

Senator Martin Heinrich- The Action Hero- First AmeriCorps Alum to serve in the United States Senate (New Mexico)

Senator Martin Henrich

Dhriti Pandya- Up and coming starlet- AmeriCorps Alum from the Volunteer Center of North Texas Youth Volunteer Corps program and AmeriCorps Alums North Texas Chapter Leader- whose speech highlighted how her AmeriCorps Service helped her "Next Steps" in life. Dhrit's remarks

AmeriCorps Alums North Texas Chapter Leader Dhriti Pandya

Pierson Phelan- Up and coming star- FEMA Corps Member Pacific Region Gold 3- whose speech was so earnest there may not have been a dry eye in the house. 

FEMA Corps Member Pierson Phelan

Shirley Sagawa- Outstanding writing female and Lifetime Achievement Award (Presidential Service Award) for her years of service including authorship of the legislation forming the Corporation for National and Community Service. 

Wendy Spencer providing Presidential Service Award to Shirley Sagawa

Brad Meltzer- Outstanding writer male- Co-author of the AmeriCorps Pledge. Abby Flottenmesch and Charles Adams- Distinguished AmeriCorps Alums currently serving in lead roles within their respective organizations. 

In Memorium comments given on behalf of those who have passed by their spouses, Phyllys Segal for Eli Segal and Vicki Kennedy for Senator Ted Kennedy. 

A video Montage celebrating AmeriCorps first 20 years. AmeriCorps turns 20 video

2013 Service Impact Awards given off-stage included:Disaster Services- AmeriCorps- Washington State AmeriCorpsEconomic Diversity- AmeriCorps VISTA- Katie Taylor- Women's Initiative for Self-EmploymentEducation- AmeriCorps NCCC- Aimee Dilucido0 Pacific Region Education Team- Gold 8Environmental Stewardship- AmeriCorps- Parasol AmeriCOrpsHealthy Futures- RSVP- Louisville Metro RSVPVeterans and Military Families- AmeriCorps- Excelis Action Corps- Veteran Leader CorpsPeople's Choice Award- MLK Day and AmeriCorps- Rebuilding Together

Sure Hollywood has it's Movie Stars who use their fame to help people, but you have to admire those who gain their fame through service to others. 

AmeriCorps Alums Executive Director with North Texas Chapter Leaders.