Women's soccer junior Jane Wallis has been named GW's Community Service Athlete of the Month for November.

The Community Service Athlete of the Month award, a distinction which started this year, goes to the student-athlete who leads by example and who most impacts the GW and Washington communities through service.

"Jane is an excellent leader both on and off the field and she has been a fantastic role model for our team," first-year head women's soccer coach Sarah Barnes said. "Jane is committed to serving others and she understands the value of making an impact on others' lives."

A three-year member of the Grassroot Colonials Program, which partners with Georgetown and Howard to bring HIV/AIDS education to at-risk middle schools in the District of Columbia, Jane currently serves as the organization's Program Coordinator. Through Jane's leadership, the Grassroot program has seen membership more than double its participation from last year and GW students are now present in 10 middle schools across the District.

"We are not just there to teach about HIV/AIDS, but to help the kids understand that they have the ability to be resilient, make their own choices, and have the confidence to do so," said Wallis.

This past summer Jane, along with lacrosse sophomore Mackenzie Jones, cross country junior Jackson Carnes, and rowing senior Lauren Byrne, was chosen to become part of the Grassroot Leaders Team and was invited to attend a three-day national conference in Orlando, Fla., that consisted of intensive leadership training.

Most recently, Jane helped coordinate efforts for the Grassroot graduation, a ceremony to recognize the students' completion of the Grassroot program in the Colonials' Charles E. Smith Center.

"Jane's motivation and commitment to service in the first three months of classes, as well as during her soccer season, have helped transform this signature GW program," said Ted Costigan, GW Athletics Life Skills Coordinator.