Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Celebrate Tenth Anniversary

Strategic Insights -

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, honoring outstanding community service by young people in grades 5-12, has been recognizing students for nine years and has drawn over 20,000 applications in the past four years alone. The program, sponsored by Prudential Financial, Inc. and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), aims to identify and reward students who have made a positive impact on their communities through volunteer work.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 55,000 middle and high school students have been awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards since its inception in 1995.
  • The program has drawn more than 20,000 applications in each of the past four years, showcasing the growing interest in community service among young people.
  • The top two candidates from each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are named State Honorees in February 2005, receiving $1,000 awards, engraved silver medallions, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
  • Ten of the 104 State Honorees are chosen as America's top youth volunteers of the year, receiving additional awards of $5,000, gold medallions, and crystal trophies for their schools or organizations.
  • Runners-up at the state level receive bronze medallions or Certificates of Excellence, while Local Honorees are chosen by participating schools and local organizations.
  • The program also includes a youth leadership training program administered by the Points of Light Foundation and a free booklet of volunteer ideas for young people offered through the Federal Citizen Information Center.

Statistics:

  • Over 55,000 students have been awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards since 1995.
  • 20,000+ applications have been submitted to the program in each of the past four years.
  • 464 State Honorees were selected in 2005, representing the best of community service among young people.
  • 10 National Honorees received additional awards of $5,000, gold medallions, and crystal trophies for their schools or organizations.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire, "Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Celebrate Tenth Anniversary"
  • The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
  • Prudential Financial, Inc.
  • Kids In Distressed Situations, Inc.
  • Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network
  • Federal Citizen Information Center