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

Strategic Insights -

Abbigail Boner and Jessica Benson, both from South Dakota, have been recognized as the state's top two youth volunteers for their outstanding community service efforts. Abbigail, a senior at Castlewood High School, has been raising funds for the Children's Miracle Network (CMN) by sharing her family's experience with a malignant brain tumor, while Jessica, an eighth-grader at West Middle School, has been collecting and distributing holiday cards for active military members and veterans.

Key Takeaways:

  • Abbigail Boner, a senior at Castlewood High School, has been helping the Children's Miracle Network (CMN) raise funds by sharing her family's experience with a malignant brain tumor through various events and media appearances.
  • Jessica Benson, an eighth-grader at West Middle School, has collected and distributed over 400 holiday cards for active military members and veterans as part of the Red Cross's "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program.
  • Abbigail and Jessica will each receive a $1,000 award, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in national recognition events.
  • Two other South Dakota students, Danika Gordon and Emma Lucchesi, were recognized as Distinguished Finalists for their community service activities, including teaching children how to combat bullying and launching literacy service projects.
  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program has honored over 100,000 young volunteers since its inception in 1995, and distributes President's Volunteer Service Awards to qualifying Local Honorees on behalf of President Barack Obama.

Statistics:

  • 102 State Honorees will tour the capital's landmarks, meet top youth volunteers from other parts of the world, and attend a gala awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
  • 10 State Honorees, including Abbigail and Jessica, will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2015, receiving additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies, and $5,000 grants for nonprofit charitable organizations.
  • Over 100,000 young volunteers have been honored by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program since its inception in 1995.
  • The program is conducted in 7 countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India, and China.

Sources:

  • http://spirit.prudential.com
  • http://www.nassp.org/spirit
  • http://www.news.prudential.com
  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.
  • The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 countries around the world.