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HOWARD -- Samantha Uhler, 18, of Howard, is one of four young volunteers of the Soap Box Derby program nationally who will receive the President's Youth Volunteer Service Award. The award recognizes volunteers under the age of 21 who have made a positive impact on the Soap Box Derby through their leadership on the local, regional or national level.
"These 2020 honorees are all long-time racers who have become dedicated volunteers in their home communities and have great passion for and commitment to the Soap Box Derby program," said Mark Gerberich, president and chief executive officer of International Soap Box Derby. "They all are giving back to the Soap Box Derby through their support in staging local races and in recruiting and mentoring other young boys and girls who participate in our youth racing program."
Uhler has raced in Soap Box Derby competition for seven seasons, starting in the Masters division in DuBois Pa. in 2014. She subsequently competed in the local Dubois races and in various rallies, earning berths in the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron as a rally champion in 2016; as Dubois local champion in the Masters division in 2017; local Super Stock champion in 2018 and a rally masters contestant in 2019.
As a member of the junior committee of the DuBois race organization, Samantha promotes interest in the Soap Box Derby through school projects, shares her knowledge of car construction and driving skills with younger racers, helps with track set-up and tear-down and worked to prepare faculty to teach Soap Box Derby technology as part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum for elementary and middle school students.
She graduated this spring from Bald Eagle Area High School in Wingate.
Other winners are Erin Donovan, 16, of Eagleville, Pa.; Braedon Quinlan, 18, of Arlington, Mass., and Lukas Ramey, 16, of Hanson, Ky.
Because the 83rd FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby scheduled for July has been canceled due to COVID-19 issues, the 2020 youth award winners will be honored online this year and recognized in-person as part of the 2021 race week activities.
About the Soap Box Derby
The International Soap Box Derby is a non-profit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through fair and honest racing competitions, STEM curriculums, and other community-focused activities. The Derby's Core Values and Drivers include: Youth Education and Leadership Development; Family Engagement and Enrichment; Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Teamwork and Collaboration; Mentoring; Volunteerism; and Commitment to Community. The Derby's two youth initiatives are the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby racing program and the STEM-based Education Program, which provides educational opportunities for K-12 youth worldwide through Soap Box Derby racing. The Derby dates back to 1934, when the first All-American race was held in Dayton, Ohio. For more information, visit www.soapboxderby.org.