Imagine sitting in your school cafeteria and hearing the President of the United States mention you by name. On September 28th, that became reality for one St. Louis teen. In his third annual “Back-to-School” address, President Barack Obama cited three high school students who have made extraordinary achievements, including generationOn Youth Advisory Council member Jake Bernstein, 17, who has made his mark on the world by launching a website devoted to community service and volunteer opportunities for young people.  In addition, the President urged students across the country to put their passion, ideas and energy into action to help bring America back to the top.   He encouraged young people to make their mark now on the issues that matter most to them.

“America needs your passion, your ideas, and your energy right at this moment … Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks,” said President Obama. “Jake Bernstein, a 17-year-old from a military family in St. Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people. They’ve held volunteer fairs, put up an online database, and helped thousands of families find volunteer opportunities that range from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.”

After the speech Jake reflected on the experience. "It was incredible and I was just so honored. I think it's really neat that the President sees that as so important. And I think that youth across the country need to see that," says Jake. "When one kid gets involved, I mean, other kids can realize that they too have the power."

Jake hopes to someday meet President Obama, and perhaps win him over as a St. Louis Cardinals fan. In the meantime, Jake will continue to expand the reach of the St Louis Volunteen website and plan new volunteering events for young people in his community and beyond.

  Learn more about Jake’s project by visiting: www.StLouisVolunteen.com.

  If you want to learn more about what the White House is doing to highlight the great work young Americans are doing everyday or to share your own story visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/youngamericans and sign up for email updates.

  Did you know that October 16-22 is generationOn Make Your Mark Week?! Want to get some great ideas for how to make your mark on the world? Check out: http://kidsvolunteer.generationon.org.