OTISFIELD — Ask 14-year-old Jared Jacobs why he spends his summer volunteering in a local elementary school and he beams.

“It helps everyone working together,” Jacobs said as he cleaned the Otisfield Community School office counter with a large rag and a pail of cleaning solution Wednesday.

Jacobs works most days from 7:30 in the morning until almost 3 p.m. helping head custodian Barbara Maguire remove all the furniture from the classrooms and thoroughly wash them. In the afternoon, they spend about an hour working in the flower and vegetable gardens that are producing peas, cucumbers and zucchinis and other summer produce.

“He’s a great kid,” said Maguire, who drives him to and from school each morning.

Jacobs’ volunteer record , his academic success, and his attempts to make his community a better place to live earned him this year’s Secretary of State citizenship award.

Jacobs is the son of Joanie and Jeffrey Jacobs of Otisfield and a graduate of Oxford Hills Middle School in Paris. He was called an “outstanding young man” by those who know him at school.

In the letter that was read at the Middle School’s moving-up ceremony and award presentation earlier this year, Maguire and others in the school system, recognized Jacobs as a young man who goes above and beyond when volunteering. They cited his:

— Numerous efforts such as his volunteer work with the Aspire Higher parade by making signs with students at the Otisfield Community School and helping them with their costumes.

— Volunteering two days a week during the fall and winter making cards, crafts and goodies for the Assisted Living Center in Casco.

— Working with elementary school children on a variety show and in the spring with their garden club.

— Chairing the Otisfield Community School food drive several years ago, which is now an annual event.

In addition to his volunteer work, he plays the French horn in the school band, is a member of marching band and the Builders Club, where he works to build leadership skills in others.

He is also an honor roll student.

“He has taken important steps forward and we’re confident that will continue to achieve great things in the years ahead,” said the educators in the presentation letter.

This coming school year, Jacobs said he hopes to join the Key Club, another community-orientated club.

Jacobs said that he enjoys helping others.

“It gives me something to do and it’s very enjoyable. It brings you up a bit hearing people say thank you. It makes you want to do more,” he said.

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