Staff photo / Bob Coupland Ava Kuntz, a senior at McDonald High School, middle, was recognized Wednesday at the McDonald village council meeting with the 2026 Serve Ohio Extraordinary Youth Volunteer Award for her more than 10 years of community service. With Kuntz are McDonald Mayor Ray Lewis, left, and Julie Weagraff, commissioner with Serve Ohio, the state’s commission on service and volunteerism who made the presentation at the meeting.

McDONALD — Volunteering and helping others is something McDonald High School senior Ava Kuntz has done throughout her life, and now that service is being recognized.

Kuntz was not only recognized by village council this week but also with the presentation of the 2026 Serve Ohio Extraordinary Youth Volunteer Award.

Kuntz, daughter of Curt and Jackie Kuntz, is a senior at McDonald and intends to study political science in college with plans to become a lawyer.

Julie Weagraff, commissioner with Serve Ohio, the state’s commission on service and volunteerism, said for more than 20 years Serve Ohio has focused on service and volunteerism across the state. The Serve Ohio Award recognizes individuals or organizations whose service to others makes a powerful impact.

She said each year awards are presented to people who help their neighbors solve a problem or reach out to others and create hope.

“We have focused on a sustainable culture of service. We run AmeriCorps programs to bring people together for volunteering. We celebrate those who have helped communities with their service. We believe service strengthens Ohio one community at a time,” Weagraff said.

Weagraff said the award recipients also have a $1,000 contribution present to the organization that is helped and served.

“For our outstanding youth volunteer, we were inspired by the remarkable impact made by Ava Kuntz. She has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours and won the presidential volunteer award for 10 consecutive years,” Weagraff said.

Kuntz has worked on the nonfood pantry at Woodland Park United Methodist Church, and conducted school supplies and holiday initiatives. She has responded to each child in the Letters to Santa Project; raised $12,000 for the American Heart Association in nine weeks; helped at the annual volunteer firemen’s pancake breakfast at the volunteer firemen’s festival; taught hands-on CPR; helped coordinate the annual Easter egg hunt; and created sensory kits used by local emergency medical services.

She has also helped and supported senior citizens and helped beautify public places and other community projects.

“Ava’s contributions year-round are meaningful, far reaching and deeply impactful. Your dedication shows us what service looks like at its best. You remind us that no one is too young to lead and that one person’s action can truly ripple across an entire community,” Weagraff said.

McDonald schools Superintendent Gary Carkido said Kuntz has done incredible work for the community and schools and the passion she shows for what she does.

She has left permanent marks on the school community through her leadership, integrity and service.

“Ava is the model student that you can hope for. Over the years she has done so much,” Carkido said.

Mayor Ray Lewis presented a plaque to Kuntz and noted he was impressed by all she has done in her life, being a senior now in high school.

“You epitomize what it means to be a community servant. We appreciate and thank you for all you have done for the community,” Lewis said.

Council President Sean Schmidt added, “It is quite amazing all that you have been involved with that benefitted the village and the schools.”

Kuntz also was a Twenty Under 20 nominee for two years for Tribune Chronicle recognition.