Shark Stewards is proud to announce that our youth volunteer Katherina (Katya) Korbiane has been awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). Signed by President Joseph Biden, this is a prestigious award established in 2003 to honor individuals and groups who demonstrate a sustained commitment to volunteer service over 12 months. To achieve the Gold level of the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), the number of required volunteer hours varies depending on the individual’s age group: 75+ hours for kids (5-10), 100+ hours for teens (11-15), 250+ hours for young adults (16-25), and 500+ hours for adults (26+).
Since joining us at age 12, Katherina (Katya) has volunteered over 250 hours with Shark Stewards. She applied for the award when she was in 10 grade at 15 years. Now 16, she is in 11th grade at Valley View Charter Prep, in Concord CA. She is a girl scout holding bronze and silver awards and planning to work on her Gold Award with Shark Stewards.
Katya has been a leader in youth science outreach, our marine debris cleanup data collection and is a coauthor on a scientific publication on shark and ray die -offs recorded in the San Francisco Bay. She is an open water certified SCUBA diver with Shark Stewards. She was recognized by Shark Stewards as the youth Volunteer of the Year in 2023.
Shark Stewards holds youth power, and engagement as a foundation, and few have been so inspirational in science and action as Katya. We are so proud to have her as a young leader and acheiving this recognition at such a young age. David McGuire, Director Shark Stewards
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes, celebrates and holds up as role models Americans making a positive impact as engaged and deeply committed volunteers. The Award enables community organizations to amplify their gratitude by joining with the President of the United States to thank their most dedicated volunteers. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime. Hours are measured over a 12-month period and awards are designated based on cumulative hours. The awards are offered in multiple levels and are designed to recognize each milestone of your service achievement. Levels include bronze, silver, gold and the highest honor, the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for those who contribute more than 4,000 hours of service in their lifetime.
Katya demonstrating shark anatomy at Berkeley Bay Fest, August 2024
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is on a temporary pause, as decided by AmeriCorps effective May 27, 2025. At this time, orders for awards and applications to become a Certifying Organization are not being accepted.