Wyoming Students Honored for Outstanding Acts of Volunteerism

In a ceremony held in Cheyenne, Camille Allsop, a 17-year-old senior from Cheyenne East High School, and Amy David, an 18-year-old senior from Pinedale High School, were named Wyoming's top two youth volunteers for 2010 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The program, now in its 15th year, honors young people for their outstanding acts of volunteerism. As State Honorees, both Camille and Amy will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in early May.

Camille Allsop, a lead performer and interpreter in the "Hands in Harmony" organization, was recognized for her dedication to bridging the communication gap between the deaf and hearing worlds. Amy David, a senior at Pinedale High School, was praised for her efforts to promote physical fitness, healthy minds, self-confidence, and goal setting among children and youth as Miss Wyoming Teen USA. Both girls demonstrated exceptional personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.

In addition to the top two honors, Nicole Clikeman, 18, of Gillette, and Colby Styskal, 17, of Cheyenne, were recognized as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion.

Key Takeaways:

• Camille Allsop, a 17-year-old senior from Cheyenne East High School, was named one of Wyoming's top two youth volunteers for 2010 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
• Amy David, an 18-year-old senior from Pinedale High School, was recognized for her efforts to promote physical fitness, healthy minds, self-confidence, and goal setting among children and youth.
• The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism and represent the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.
• Since the program began in 1995, more than 90,000 young volunteers nationwide have been honored at the local, state or national level.
• The program is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and is sponsored by Prudential subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Ireland.
• Among the notable public figures who have assisted in saluting these honorees in the past are President Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Magic Johnson, John Glenn, Madeleine Albright, and Laura Bush.

Statistics:

• Nearly 5,000 Local Honorees were reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.
• The 102 State Honorees will tour the capital's landmarks, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill.
• 10 State Honorees will be named National Honorees on May 3 by a prestigious national selection committee, each receiving an additional $5,000 award, gold medallion, and $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit, charitable organization of their choice.

Sources:

• The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
• Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU)
• American Red Cross
• Points of Light Institute & Hands On Network