Sophomore Megan Sickler received the Serviam Award at a special liturgy for the sophomore class on Wednesday, February 6.

The Ursuline Mothers' Club Beth Rayfield Memorial Challenge Award, or the Serviam Award, recognizes a member of the sophomore class who embodies the principles of Serviam (Latin for 'I will serve'). The award is made on the basis of a written student reflection and individual record of service.

Megan started volunteering with her mom at the Seven Loaves Food Pantry in Plano in seventh grade. She quickly noticed a need: children shopping with their parents were restless and needed to be entertained.

Book Buddies, a non-profit she created with her mom, was soon born. Megan filled a bookcase with books at the pantry and read to as many children as she could. Toddlers through teenagers all have books to read, and many leave with one or two of their favorites.

"Our program makes a difference in the lives of local impoverished children by allowing them to feel the joy of reading," Sickler said.

Megan has always had a joy of reading. She loved To Kill A Mockingbird and The Outsiders in middle school and now loves Jane Eyre.

"As a kid, I was constantly reading," Sickler said. "I remember how my mom and I used to sit down on the couch and read together when I was little. Book Buddies is definitely my thing with my mom."

Megan continues to collect books at her church, Prince of Peace. Many middle schoolers and high schoolers now volunteer at the food pantry on Thursdays and Saturdays.

"I've put a lot into this organization," Sickler said. "Seeing what's come out of it is amazing. So many people are supporting it now. More than 22,000 books have made it into the hands of loving, intelligent yet resource-limited children in Collin County."

Megan is active at Ursuline. She loves JV Basketball and being on the Student Well-Being Leadership Team. Her favorite subjects are math, science, and computer science.

View Megan's essay. View photos from Sophomore Serviam.