By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Being recognized for good grades is nothing new to Vivek Ramaswamy, a St. Xavier senior who wants to become a doctor.

Aimee Gall, 17, a senior at McAuley High school, and Ryan Fischer, 17, a senior at Holmes High School, meet before the Golden Galaxy Awards ceremony. (BRANDI STAFFORD photo) | ZOOM |

But it's the recognition of his other interest - investing his spare time in his community - that made the Golden Galaxy Awards so special to him Wednesday night at the Schiff Family Conference Center at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

Mr. Ramaswamy was one of 11 winners, picked from 55 finalists representing 55 high schools from across the region in the 14th annual event, which recognizes high school students for their academic achievements and willingness to volunteer their spare time for community service. The finalists were nominated in a variety of categories: art, English, foreign language, journalism, music, math, science, social studies, speech, scholarship and vocational/technical.

"Academics often get recognized, but community service makes meaningful a lot of things that don't often get recognized," said Mr. Ramaswamy, who has worked to increase cultural awareness by founding the school's India Association and has volunteered at hospitals.

Each winner took home a $1,000 scholarship, while first runners-up were awarded $500 and second runners-up got $250.

Aimee Gall didn't take home any cash. But that didn't dampen the evening for the McAuley High School senior.

Ms. Gall spends some of her free time mentoring children at elementary schools and volunteering in the mother/baby unit at Good Samaritan Hospital.

"I'm just really proud and honored to be here," said Ms. Gall, who wants to major in engineering and design roller coasters when she graduates from college.

Christen Davidson, a nominee in the music category who volunteers her time to play music with her sister at nursing homes, said she was surprised by the nomination. The St. Ursula Academy senior said residents in the nursing homes enjoy their weekly concerts, and so does she.

"They get really happy when we play," Ms. Davidson said. "It's really rewarding to know we made their day, even if we didn't play that well."

The event was sponsored by the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, The Cincinnati Enquirer and WKRC-TV (Channel 12) and Ashland Inc. Ed Asuncion, special events coordinator for the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, said the awards recognize students who are models for their peers. The finalists were selected from 323 nominees.

"These students represent the balance of a complete person - high academic standards and giving back to the community," Mr. Asuncion said.

E-mail dklepal@enquirer.com