(Posted November 2, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Virginia Meadows, director of programs at The Second Mile in State College, Pa., received the 2009 Church College Young Alumni Leadership Award from Juniata College at an Oct. 16 ceremony at the Middle Pennsylvania District Conference for the Church of the Brethren on the Juniata campus.

Meadows, a 2003 Juniata graduate and a native of Hollidaysburg, Pa., received the award for her work at Camp Blue Diamond, a Church of the Brethren summer camp, and community activities such as coaching high school basketball and other youth-related activities such as leading nature programs at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

Meadows has been program director at The Second Mile since 2008, where she oversees all educational and youth programs for the nonprofit agency. The agency provides nine prevention, early-intervention and community-based programs to more than 100,000 children across Pennsylvania.

After graduating from Juniata, Meadows worked as program director for Camp Blue Diamond in Petersburg, Pa. from 2004 to 2007, where she trained and supervised staff and volunteers, planned and supervised recreational and educational activities, and oversaw off-season retreats and events.

In spring 2008, she worked as program leader for the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in State College, and also worked as assistant site supervisor for the KIDVenture Day Camp of the Centre Region Parks and Recreation agency.

Meadows also remains active in her community, serving as assistant girl's basketball coach at Huntingdon Area High School from 2005 to 2008 and is a member of the Centre County Communities Who Care. She also works as a tutor for the Houserville Elementary School Homework Club in the State College Area School District.

At Juniata, Meadows was president of the club now known as Juniata Active Volunteer Association, the college's student outreach club, and worked as a student tour guide and Extended Orientation assistant. She served on the board of the Stone Church of the Brethren and remains involved with the church as a worship leader, reader and musician. She also has been a member of the Church of the Brethren Young Adult Steering Committee since 2006.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.