Junior Nate Malock is one of three area students to be nominated for The Challenge Program’s Commitment to Community Service Award. 

The award recognizes those who dedicate time, skill, and effort to improve the well-being of others and the local area without pay. For Malock, this meant working on Baldwin’s new Highlander Hub store, which opened recently in the school. 

“I came up with the idea of The Highlander Hub about a year ago and did whatever I had to do to make it work,” Malock said. 

Malock said that being nominated is an honor in itself.

“I am just so honored that I got nominated and so glad the work the team and I did finally got noticed,” Malock said. “Decorating the store took around a year, including getting products and apparel in the mail.”

Throughout the process of creating the Highlander Hub, Baldwin history teacher Richard Deemer saw Malock in action. 

“He always worked after school and always had time to make the store the best it can be,” Deemer said. 

Community members can vote in the contest through Instagram or Facebook through Friday at 9 a.m. Voters cast a ballot by liking the post that focuses on that candidate.

The winner of the contest will win $1,000, a media day for their project, and schoolwide recognition, Malock said.

“Nate earned this by being a hard worker and always being motivated, and he has taken a huge leadership role, making sure everything is there and nothing is missing,” Deemer said.