Florida's Top Youth Volunteers Honored by Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Strategic Insights -

Florida's two top youth volunteers for 2006 were named Rebecca Farber, 18, of Miami, and Savannah Walters, 13, of Odessa. They were recognized for their outstanding acts of volunteerism through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). As State Honorees, each will receive $1,000 and an engraved silver medallion.

Rebecca, a senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School, initiated a statewide PTA-sponsored relief and education effort after four devastating hurricanes ripped through Florida in 2004. She produced "Hurricanes Happen," a children's brochure that explains how kids can prepare a hurricane kit and cope with a disaster, and mobilized PTAs throughout the state to provide donations and support to schools, community agencies, and individuals affected by the hurricanes. Savannah, a seventh-grader at Independent Day School, created "Pump 'Em Up," an awareness campaign designed to reduce the need for new oil drilling by urging drivers to keep their tires pumped up and save gas. She distributed flyers, balloons, and tire gauges to commuters and recruited friends and other volunteers to put on similar events in five other states.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rebecca Farber, 18, of Miami, and Savannah Walters, 13, of Odessa, were named Florida's top two youth volunteers for 2006 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
  • Both girls were recognized for their outstanding acts of volunteerism, with Rebecca initiated a statewide PTA-sponsored relief and education effort after four devastating hurricanes ripped through Florida in 2004, and Savannah created "Pump 'Em Up," an awareness campaign designed to reduce the need for new oil drilling by urging drivers to save gas.
  • Rebecca's efforts included producing a children's brochure and mobilizing PTAs throughout the state to provide donations and support to schools, community agencies, and individuals affected by the hurricanes.
  • Savannah's awareness campaign included distributing flyers, balloons, and tire gauges to commuters and recruiting friends and other volunteers to put on similar events in five other states.
  • Both girls will receive $1,000 and an engraved silver medallion as State Honorees.
  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with NASSP, recognized 102 State Honorees from across the United States.
  • The awards program is part of a broad initiative created by Prudential to encourage young people to become involved in community service.

Statistics:

  • 8,000 Local Honorees were reviewed by state-level judges to select State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists.
  • 102 State Honorees were selected from across the United States.
  • 10 State Honorees will be named National Honorees on May 8 by a prestigious national selection committee.
  • Each National Honoree will receive an additional $5,000 award, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation.
  • 4,200 Local Honorees will receive the President's Volunteer Service Awards this year on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Sources:

  • "Florida's top youth volunteers honored by Prudential Spirit of Community Awards." (No date provided).
  • "Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Names Top Youth Volunteers for 2006." (No date provided).
  • Prudential Financial press release. (No date provided).
  • National Association of Secondary School Principals. "Prudential Spirit of Community Awards." (No date provided).