By
Rachel Schick
Arizona Daily Wildcat
James Benedict recognized for commitment to volunteering
A UA freshman who divides his time among school and five extracurricular activities is being recognized for his involvement by a national residence hall organization.
James "J.P." Benedict represents the University of Arizona as the National Residence Hall Honorary student of the month for November.
Benedict, a business freshman, was recognized at Thursday's UA Residence Hall Association meeting. He will be officially acknowledged by the National Residence Hall Honorary at the organization's conference next month in Canada.
"I was surprised at first," said Benedict. "I'm really happy to know people notice the effort and hard work you're putting in."
Benedict is an RHA representative for the Stadium Residence Hall. He is also active in the Blue Chip program, ASUA and Habitat for Humanity, said RHA president Melissa Zilm. In addition, he is a "hasher," or dining room attendant, at the Gamma Phi Beta sorority house.
"He well deserves it," said education senior Jessica Boartfield, a friend and desk assistant at Stadium Hall. "He has a drive to do things and get them done."
"Of The Months," or OTMs, are awarded to students in about 10 different categories. Kristin Beatty, a resident assistant at Stadium Hall and a chancellor for the National Residence Hall Honorary, made the ultimate decision in choosing Benedict for the award, said RHA National Communications Coordinator Audra Shattuck.
UA's National Residence Hall Honorary members, who are made up of the top 1 percent of RHA leaders, judge at the school level, said Zilm.
Benedict was also awarded at the regional level - a territory including 25 schools throughout the Southwest, said Zilm.
"It takes a really special and dedicated person," said Shattuck. "He completely deserved it from the things I've seen him do."
