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Perez Honored With C-USA Spirit of Service Award
The C-USA Spirit of Service Award is designed to recognize the community service efforts of the league's student-athletes.

	Senior Vanessa Perez was honored with the C-USA Spirit of Service Award.

June 12, 2012

UCF Athletics Social Media Directory

By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky announced Tuesday that UCF softball senior centerfielder Vanessa Perez has received the C-USA Spring Spirit of Service Award.

The C-USA Spirit of Service Award is designed to recognize the community service efforts of the league's student-athletes, based upon significant community service, good academic standing and participation in their elected sport. The Spirit of Service Award is presented three times throughout the season, with Perez representing Conference USA's spring sports.

Perez is a 2012 All-C-USA Second Team selection as a member of the Knights' softball team. The interdisciplinary studies major from San Diego, Calif., is also a three-time selection to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.

During the holiday season, Perez helped organize the Gingerbread House of Hope, which enabled underprivileged kids to receive gifts through the Central Florida Children's Home. She served as a mentor for the Girl Scouts of Citrus County, working with a diverse group of at risk middle and high school schools. She taught them life lessons to apply in school, at home and with friends, while also preparing them for college.

Perez also volunteered at Florida Hospital for Children, doing arts and crafts and playing games with youngsters who are dealing with serious illnesses. Throughout the year, she participated in the Seminole County Youth Program, meeting with a group of at-risk teenagers once a month to discuss life goals and lessons.

Perez was also active in the Friends of Jaclyn program as the softball program "adopted" a 10-year old girl with a brain tumor, and she has spent time with the program for the last three years and the team is involved with her life off the field as well.