Solon's Justin Bachman Honored For Volunteerism

Justin Bachman was named a Distinguished Finalist in this year's Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for organizing a tolerance fair in Solon last year.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is a national program that honors outstanding young volunteers in middle and high school.

Bachman, who is diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, was berated in 2010 by an official during a cross country meet in Boardman when he was experiencing vocal tics.

Bachman said the experience motivated him to try to build a more tolerant and understanding community. So he met with Solon Mayor Susan Drucker and organized Solon's first-ever Tolerance Fair.

"We didn't want it to happen to me again," Justin said. "We didn't want it to happen to anyone. If you don't want it to happen to anyone, sitting around and doing nothing doesn't help."

Here is the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards' description of Justin's deeds:

Justin Bachman, 14, of Solon, Ohio, a freshman at Solon High School, sponsored a Tolerance Fair with nearly 50 local organizations and more than 1,000 attendees participating. Justin, who was motivated to focus on tolerance because he has been bullied, coordinated the entire event, including raising $15,000 in sponsorship funds, recruiting and managing volunteers and handling publicity.

READ MORE ABOUT JUSTIN BACHMAN:

• First Tolerance Fair Set for Sunday
• How Can We Make Our Community More Tolerant?
• Solon’s First Tolerance Fair Had an Overwhelming Response
• Viewfinder: Faces From Solon's Tolerance Fair