LISBON — Natalie Thomsen, a senior at Lisbon High School, was honored Tuesday night by the Town Council with the 2016 Spirit of America Foundation Tribute, much to her surprise.

The foundation is a public charity established in Augusta in 1990 to honor volunteerism.

“I was here last year when they gave the award to the Green Thumb lady, and I thought, ‘How do you win that award? I’d like to win it,'” Thomsen said. “I thought you had to be here 50 years to win it.”

Thomsen was commended by the School Committee last month for receiving the first Moxie Volunteer Award. She thought she was going to be recognized for that award again when she was presented with a resolution from the council for the Spirit award.

She said she started volunteering in the fifth grade to get out of going outside after lunch. 

During her four years in high school, Thomsen has participated in Advanced Placement classes, Art Club, Book Club, Chess Club and civil rights. She has been a class officer, performed community service, and participated in drama, Scrabble Club, student government and yearbook, baseball, track and bowling. She has also been involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Young Adult Volunteers and the Moxie Festival.

She attends most School Committee and Town Council meetings, as well as ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new businesses.

Thomsen has logged 900 hours in school and community service, and aspires to be a School Committee member and a school principal.

Last month, she received the first Moxie Festival Volunteer Award presented by Gina Mason, Moxie parade chairwoman. Thomsen has volunteered for the festival for four years and took on leadership responsibilities when she was in eighth grade, Mason said. 

“She’s a good kid, always involved in the school,” said Mason, who is also a member of the School Committee.