U.S. Senators Tim Johnson and Saxby Chambliss to Chair Committee
That Will Name America's Top 10 Youth Volunteers of the Year in May
America's 102 most outstanding youth volunteers - two from each state and the District of Columbia - were named State Honorees today by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for exemplary acts of volunteerism. The awards program, now in its 11th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Each of the 102 State Honorees will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., May 6-9 for several days of national recognition events. Ten of them will be named America's top youth volunteers for 2006 at that time.
More than 40 percent of this year's State Honorees are being honored for aiding or comforting the sick, disabled or disadvantaged. Others are being recognized for tutoring or mentoring younger children, reaching out to senior citizens, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, or enhancing community resources. Many conducted fund-raising or collection drives for hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast. Information on the volunteer activities of all of the State Honorees can be found at www.prudential.com/spirit or at www.principals.org/prudential.
In addition to the State Honorees, the program's judges recognized 234 students nationwide as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion. Approximately 780 other applicants were awarded Certificates of Excellence for their volunteer work. (See attached list of State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists.)
"The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities," said Art Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "They truly deserve all of the praise and encouragement we can give them."
"The young people recognized by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards demonstrate an enormous capacity for giving and reaching out to those in need," said Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. "NASSP is proud to honor them as they are wonderful examples of the high caliber of young people in our nation's schools today."
Since The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards began in 1995, more than 70,000 young volunteers have been honored at the local, state or national level. Many prominent Americans have assisted in saluting these honorees over the years, including Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Magic Johnson, John Glenn, Madeleine Albright, Rudy Giuliani, Whoopi Goldberg and Colin Powell. The program is now operating in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as in the U.S.
All public and private middle level and high schools in the U.S., as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Volunteer Centers, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award this past November. Nearly 8,000 Local Honorees were then reviewed by state-level judges, who selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.
While in Washington, D.C., the 102 State Honorees will tour the capital's landmarks, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. In addition, 10 of them - five middle level and five high school students - will be named National Honorees on May 8 by a prestigious national selection committee. These honorees will receive additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit, charitable organizations of their choice.
U.S. Senators Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia will serve as co-chairs of the national selection committee. Also serving on the committee will be Ryan of Prudential; actor Richard Dreyfuss; Alma Powell, chair of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth; Robert Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation; Amy B. Cohen, Director of Learn and Serve America at the Corporation for National and Community Service; Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA; Donald T. Floyd Jr., President and CEO of National 4-H Council; Ken Gladish, National Executive Director of YMCA of the USA; David Vodila, President of NASSP; and two 2005 Prudential Spirit of Community National Honorees: Devin Cohen of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., and Lindsey Williams of St. Joseph, Mo.
In addition to granting its own awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program will be distributing President's Volunteer Service Awards to nearly 4,200 of its Local Honorees this year on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is supported by National 4-H Council, Girl Scouts of the USA, American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, Points of Light Foundation, American Association of School Administrators, National Middle School Association, National School Boards Association, Council of the Great City Schools, National School Public Relations Association, and many other national youth and service organizations.
The awards are part of a broad initiative created by Prudential to encourage young people to become involved in community service. Other elements of the initiative include a community leadership training program for high school students, now administered by the Points of Light Foundation; and a variety of educational materials for young people and teachers relating to youth volunteerism.
NASSP - the preeminent organization and the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders - provides its members the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders. NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well-being of youth through its programs and student leadership services. NASSP administers the National Honor Society(TM), National Junior Honor Society(TM), and National Association of Student Councils(TM).
Prudential Financial companies serve individual and institutional customers worldwide and include The Prudential Insurance Company of America, one of the largest life insurance companies in the United States. These companies offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, mutual funds, annuities, pension and retirement related services and administration, asset management, securities brokerage, banking and trust services, real estate brokerage franchises and relocation services. For more information, visit www.prudential.com. -0- The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards 2006 State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists Alabama State Honorees: Kimberly Phares, 17, Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia Hills Louis Buckalew, 13, Clark School of Math, Science and Technology, Chickasaw Distinguished Finalists: Fabiani Duarte, 17, Randolph School, Huntsville Ryan Hagan, 18, Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia Hills Heather Smith, 17, Kate D. Smith DAR High School, Grant Laura Spurgeon, 17, Central High School, Phenix City Alaska State Honorees: Hannah Watkins, 16, Kenai Central High School, Kenai Sophie Wiepking-Brown, 13, Romig Middle School, Anchorage Distinguished Finalists: Tatiana Butler, 18, Kenai Peninsula 4-H, Soldotna Maria Geary-Brautigan, 17, Colony High School, Palmer Arizona State Honorees: Kaitlyn Meiss, 17, Horizon High School, Scottsdale Robert Sabori, 14, St. Mary-Basha Catholic School, Chandler Distinguished Finalists: Elizabeth Baker, 17, University High School, Tucson Alyssa Bisanz, 16, Dobson High School, Mesa Elizabeth Do, 17, Volunteer Center of Maricopa County, Phoenix Candelaria Horton, 18, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson Robert Ryan, 18, Mountain View High School, Mesa Imran Shafi, 18, Brophy College Preparatory School, Phoenix Arkansas State Honorees: Meredith Mitchell, 18, Little Rock Central High School, Little Rock Nicholas Vano, 15, Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic School, Little Rock Distinguished Finalists: Karla Emerson, 17, Independence County 4-H, Batesville Molly Magee, 17, Conway High School West, Conway Patrick Smith, 18, Lutheran High School, Little Rock Amanda Stolarz, 17, Murfreesboro High School, Murfreesboro California State Honorees: Jake Fuller, 16, West Valley High School, Cottonwood Nicholas Mejia, 13, Rio Vista Middle School, Fresno Distinguished Finalists: Romi Barta, 18, Harvard-Westlake School, North Hollywood Derek Beck, 17, Bellarmine College Preparatory School, San Jose Melissa Blaustein, 17, Redwood High School, Larkspur Bartell Cope, 16, Stevenson School, Pebble Beach Kelly Diep, 17, The Preuss School UCSD, La Jolla Sierra Gray, 12, Bradshaw Christian School, Sacramento Remy Greeno, 17, Harvard-Westlake School, North Hollywood Nicole Lanz, 17, Valencia High School, Valencia Shivam Shodhan, 17, Faith Baptist High School, Canoga Park Justin Woo, 17, Mountain View High School, Mountain View Colorado State Honorees: Cameron Mansanarez, 18, Monte Vista High School, Monte Vista Lindsey Marquez, 10, Girl Scouts Mountain Prairie Council, Fort Collins Distinguished Finalists: Genevieve Aguilar, 17, Boulder High School, Boulder Alyssa Allende Motz, 17, Thunder Ridge High School, Highlands Ranch Sophia Ernst, 18, Regis Jesuit High School, Aurora Natalie Martin, 18, Manitou Springs High School, Manitou Springs Connecticut State Honorees: Elizabeth Americo, 17, Guilford High School, Guilford Jack Appelbaum, 13, Central Middle School, Greenwich Distinguished Finalists: Patricia Burns, 17, Bristol Eastern High School, Bristol Jeremy Kaswer, 13, Avon Middle School, Avon Zachary Smith, 18, Westhill High School, Stamford Marybeth Tamborra, 17, Norwich Free Academy, Norwich Delaware State Honorees: Jennifer Crouse, 17, Lake Forest High School, Felton Jeffery Sullivan, 13, Kent County 4-H, Dover Distinguished Finalists: Anjali Gupta, 17, The Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington Cedric Jacob, 17, Kent County 4-H, Dover District of Columbia State Honorees: Elizabeth Carr, 17, Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington Jannel Alston, 13, Jefferson Junior High School, Washington Distinguished Finalists: Marcus Green, 18, School Without Walls Senior High School, Washington Jazzy Wright, 17, School Without Walls Senior High School, Washington Florida State Honorees: Rebecca Farber, 18, Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Pinecrest Savannah Walters, 13, Independent Day School, Tampa Distinguished Finalists: Chelsea Heath, 17, Lakeland Senior High School, Lakeland Alannah Nic Phaidin, 17, Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School, Cocoa Beach Rory Nicolaides, 17, University High School, Orlando Danielle Padgett, 18, Sarasota County 4-H, Sarasota Robert Parrish, 16, Chamberlain High School, Tampa Zachary Sandoval, 17, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, Miami Samuel Silverman, 18, The Benjamin School, Palm Beach Gardens Jasmine Steele, 16, Indian Rocks Christian School, Largo Georgia State Honorees: Sydney McRee, 15, Baldwin High School, Milledgeville Ryan Ernstes, 13, The Walker School, Marietta Distinguished Finalists: Yasmin Assar, 16, Parkview High School, Lilburn Cara Burgess, 18, Houston County High School, Warner Robins Eleanor Cheatham, 18, Riverwood High School, Atlanta Stefanie Feldman, 17, The Lovett School, Atlanta Adria Hampton, 17, Lassiter High School, Marietta Taylor Mullinax, 12, Gordon Lee Middle School, Chickamauga Hawaii State Honorees: Evan Alicuben, 17, Waiakea High School, Hilo Zachary Pezzillo, 12, Seabury Hall Middle School, Makawao Distinguished Finalists: Chantel Garrett, 17, Iolani School, Honolulu Kyle Monette, 16, Mililani High School, Mililani Idaho State Honorees: Jenna Meeks, 17, Twin Falls High School, Twin Falls Alex Schneider, 13, Riverglen Junior High School, Boise Distinguished Finalists: Jessica Hansen, 18, Homedale High School, Homedale Heather Vann, 17, Sandpoint High School, Sandpoint Illinois State Honorees: Margaret McGlynn, 18, Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville Haley Sack, 13, LaSalle County 4-H, Ottawa Distinguished Finalists: Raul Garcia, 17, Argo Community High School, Summit Robert Harvey, 18, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire Michael Jacobson, 17, John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights Lauren Sandstrom, 18, Belvidere High School, Belvidere Jessica Schwarz, 17, Wauconda High School, Wauconda Emilio Tostado, 18, Morgan Park Academy, Chicago Kristin Unruh, 17, Harry D. Jacobs High School, Algonquin Emily Veenbaas, 11, Gower Middle School, Burr Ridge Indiana State Honorees: Ana Baracaldo, 18, Oak Hill High School, Converse Raven Peterson, 11, Creekside Middle School, Carmel Distinguished Finalists: Kellie Conrad, 18, Cathedral High School, Indianapolis Brittany Cook, 18, American Red Cross, Plymouth Savannah Holderman, 16, K & H Academy, Mishawaka Amber Lafever, 16, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis Claudia Montes, 17, Northwest High School, Indianapolis Gautham Vaidyanathan, 16, Penn High School, Mishawaka Iowa State Honorees: Kevin Peyton, 18, Sac Community High School, Sac City Natasha Swanson, 13, Boone County - Iowa State University Extension 4-H, Boone Distinguished Finalists: Benjamin Brown, 18, Iowa State University Extension 4-H, Iowa City Marla Claussen, 18, Pleasant Valley High School, Pleasant Valley Frances Vernon, 17, George Washington High School, Cedar Rapids Janelle Vittetoe, 17, Washington High School, Washington Kansas State Honorees: Nicole McClure, 17, Topeka High School, Topeka Lauren Hoge, 14, Leavenworth County 4-H, Leavenworth Distinguished Finalists: Michael Brookens, 17, Marion High School, Marion Elise McKenna, 16, Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park Alyssa Penner, 18, The Independent School, Wichita Calista Sneyd, 17, Ulysses High School, Ulysses Kentucky State Honorees: David Tao, 16, McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tenn. Christina Abney, 13, Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Louisville Distinguished Finalists: Austin Jacobs, 17, Clark County 4-H, Winchester Jaclyn Montgomery, 18, Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville Ryan Rose, 18, Raceland-Worthington High School, Raceland Janie Williams, 17, Central Hardin High School, Cecilia Louisiana State Honorees: Victoria LeBlanc, 17, Vermilion Parish 4-H, Abbeville Allison Gras, 13, Caddo Middle Magnet School, Shreveport Distinguished Finalists: Tara Doucet, 18, St. Thomas More High School, Lafayette Amanda Harb, 17, Lafayette High School, Lafayette David Tarnow, 17, Catholic High School, Baton Rouge Kristie Waddle, 16, Beauregard Parish 4-H, DeRidder Maine State Honorees: Kathleen Casasa Blouin, 18, Deering High School, Portland Kerry Kay, 14, Bath Middle School, Bath Distinguished Finalists: Marybeth Hoover, 17, Oxford Hills Christian Academy, Oxford Jennifer Masessa, 16, Mount View High School, Thorndike Maryland State Honorees: Erica Esposito, 16, Glenelg Country School, Ellicott City Elissa Redmiles, 11, Learning Community International, Columbia Distinguished Finalists: Kailyn Cage, 17, Largo High School, Upper Marlboro Christina Constantinides, 17, Girl Scout Council of the Nations Capital, Washington Molly Gates, 17, Great Mills High School, Great Mills Allison Lewis, 16, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Rockville Melissa Weinberger, 17, Westlake High School, Waldorf Russell Yaffe, 17, Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda Massachusetts State Honorees: Mireille Manzone, 18, Noble and Greenough School, Dedham Kassandra Gonsalves, 12, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, New Bedford Distinguished Finalists: Alexandra Azzolino, 15, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Acton Cynthia Delaney, 18, Gardner High School, Gardner Hui Feng, 17, Boston Latin School, Boston Morgan Foster, 16, Triton Regional High School, Byfield Chris Murphy, 17, Dover-Sherborn High School, Dover Jennifer Rogers, 18, Nipmuc Regional High School, Upton Michigan State Honorees: Jacqueline Kenyon, 16, Michigan Lutheran High School, St. Joseph Ella Kate Wagner, 13, Belding Middle School, Belding Distinguished Finalists: Sarah Jaward, 17, Dearborn High School, Dearborn Caitlin Kos, 13, Marist Academy, Pontiac Bethany Lyon, 17, American Red Cross, Alma Lauren Mondry, 15, Birmingham Seaholm High School, Birmingham Rebecca Nesbit, 16, MSU Extension-Huron County 4-H, Bad Axe Jennifer Wakenell, 17, Divine Child High School, Dearborn Gang Xu, 17, Heritage High School, Saginaw John Zhou, 18, Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills Minnesota State Honorees: Anna Stomberg, 17, Blackduck High School, Blackduck Hannah Nemer, 13, Friendly Hills Middle School, Mendota Heights Distinguished Finalists: Emily Bergerroet, 17, St. Peter High School, St. Peter Caitlin Cross, 15, Brainerd High School, Brainerd Caitlin Johnson, 17, Burnsville Senior High School, Burnsville Stacy Mandelkow, 17, Goodhue High School, Goodhue Kaia Sievert, 17, Girl Scouts Peacepipe Council, Redwood Falls Priya Sury, 17, Roseville Area High School, Roseville Mississippi State Honorees: Ajay Mangal, 18, Pascagoula High School, Pascagoula Claire McInnis, 11, Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi, Jackson Distinguished Finalists: Jessica Boyd, 18, Laurel High School, Laurel Ashley Gunn, 18, Jackson Preparatory School, Jackson Lindsey Gunter, 17, Manchester Academy, Yazoo City Amber Strange, 17, Olive Branch High School, Olive Branch Missouri State Honorees: McKay Yancey, 18, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, St. Louis Sarah Kurzu, 13, Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School, St. Louis Distinguished Finalists: Jonathan Arnold, 17, Gallatin R-V High School, Gallatin Leanna Baumer, 18, University of Missouri Extension 4-H, Hartville Ashley Kelsey, 18, Girl Scouts Heart of Missouri Council, Jefferson City Julia Rubin, 18, Parkway Central High School, Chesterfield Julia Shuck, 18, Monroe County 4-H, Paris Tessa Vellek, 12, Columbia Independent School, Columbia Montana State Honorees: Nicholas Schwaderer, 17, Mineral County 4-H, Superior Ian Lacy, 14, Hamilton Middle School, Hamilton Distinguished Finalists: Allison Mullin, 17, Stevensville High School, Stevensville Lena Petersen, 18, Polson High School, Polson Nebraska State Honorees: Emily Wemhoff, 16, Lakeview High School, Columbus Paige Chester, 12, Mission Middle School, Bellevue Distinguished Finalists: MaryLou Andrews, 17, Hamilton County 4-H, Aurora Cory Hanson, 18, Kearney High School, Kearney Nevada State Honorees: Erin Brosy, 17, Earl Wooster High School, Reno Daniel Edmondson, 13, Silvestri Junior High School, Las Vegas Distinguished Finalists: Natalie Bergstrom, 18, Carson High School, Carson City Mallory Cyr, 17, Clark High School, Las Vegas Bonnie Elliott, 17, Robert McQueen High School, Reno Cody Griffin, 16, Virginia City High School, Virginia City New Hampshire State Honorees: Ammu Irivinti, 16, Pinkerton Academy, Derry Hillary Hughes, 11, Girl Scouts Swift Water Council, Bedford Distinguished Finalists: Chiara Arcidy, 17, The Derryfield School, Manchester Emily Kaplan, 18, American Red Cross - Concord Chapter, Concord New Jersey State Honorees: Michael Pesci, 16, DePaul Catholic High School, Wayne Jessica Diamond, 12, West Brook Middle School, Paramus Distinguished Finalists: Michael Bachmann, 15, Highland Park High School, Highland Park Josephine Droney, 15, Mainland Regional High School, Linwood Daniel Feldman, 15, Atlantic County 4-H, Mays Landing Madison Pomerantz, 12, Franklin Avenue Middle School, Franklin Lakes Christine Ring, 16, Kent Place School, Summit Qinyun Wang, 18, East Brunswick High School, East Brunswick New Mexico State Honorees: Lindsey Frick, 17, Sandia High School, Albuquerque Logan Medlin, 14, Tatum Junior High School, Tatum Distinguished Finalists: Eve Ahern Wild, 17, Albuquerque High School, Albuquerque Kristen Biggins, 18, Mayfield High School, Las Cruces New York State Honorees: Geneva Johnson, 17, High School for Health Professions & Human Services, New York City Brian McPartland, 12, Henry H. Wells Middle School, Brewster Distinguished Finalists: Michelle Engleman, 15, Girl Scouts Indian Hills Council, Binghamton Patrick Gavin-Brynes, 18, Lake George Junior-Senior High School, Lake George Claudette Martin, 14, Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H, Troy Leo McFarland, 16, Tottenville High School, New York City Julianne Panagacos, 17, Briarcliff High School, Briarcliff Manor Natasha Spedalle, 16, School of the Future, New York City Raphael Spiro, 15, Bronx High School of Science, New York City Andrew Titley, 18, Oceanside High School, Oceanside North Carolina State Honorees: Sarai Pegram, 15, Girl Scouts Tarheel Triad Council, Colfax Alyssa Holden, 10, Cox Mill Elementary School, Concord Distinguished Finalists: Tara Austin, 17, South Caldwell High School, Hudson Caitlin Byrnes, 17, North Mecklenburg High School, Huntersville Ryan Garrett, 17, Lee County American Red Cross, Sanford Laurel Mauney, 18, South Point High School, Belmont Paige Ridout, 17, Smithfield-Selma High School, Smithfield Michael Williford, 17, Westchester Academy, High Point North Dakota State Honorees: Miranda Uriell, 17, Nelson County 4-H, Lakota Benjamen Sun, 13, South Middle School, Grand Forks Distinguished Finalists: Greg Brockman, 17, Red River High School, Grand Forks Nicole Nelson, 17, Lakota High School, Lakota Ohio State Honorees: Karoline McMullen, 15, Hawken School, Gates Mills Renee Hagerty, 14, Northwood Junior High School, Elyria Distinguished Finalists: Steven Engelhaupt, 18, Dublin Scioto High School, Dublin Lauren Espe, 17, Hilliard Davidson High School, Hilliard Emily Evans, 17, Western Reserve Academy, Hudson Amanda Lynch, 17, Elgin High School, Marion Christine Orchard, 17, Bedford High School, Bedford Drew Snyder, 14, Northridge Middle School, Springfield David Trinh, 16, St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati Sarah Woerner, 17, Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School, Dayton Oklahoma State Honorees: Savanna Petricek, 16, Midwest City High School, Midwest City Kylie Stowers, 14, Cleveland County 4-H, Norman Distinguished Finalists: Chantal Reina-Ortiz, 17, Lawton Christian School, Lawton Claire Richard, 18, Casady School, Oklahoma City Matthew Taylor, 15, Pontotoc County 4-H, Ada Ashley Zumwalt, 15, Tinker Area YMCA, Midwest City Oregon State Honorees: Bradley Goldsberry, 18, Winston Churchill High School, Eugene Hailey Hilding, 13, Coquille Valley School, Coquille Distinguished Finalists: Brittany Dushame-Wendland, 16, Philomath High School, Philomath Rayanna Mitchell, 17, Enterprise High School, Enterprise Rachael Peterson, 17, Oakridge High School, Oakridge Chrystal Rosen-Murr, 17, Thurston High School, Springfield Pennsylvania State Honorees: Alexander Brothers, 17, Kennett High School, Kennett Square Taylor Saraiva, 14, Lemoyne Middle School, Lemoyne Distinguished Finalists: John Hill, 16, Cathedral Preparatory School, Erie Kevin Hoe, 16, North Penn High School, Lansdale Laura James, 13, Milton Middle School, Milton Tzippora Kanal, 17, Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Ryan Lock, 18, Radnor High School, Radnor Adrian Rodrigues, 17, Upper Dublin High School, Fort Washington Gordon Vanscoy, 17, Hempfield Area High School, Greensburg Chelsea Wright, 18, Phoenixville Area High School, Phoenixville Rhode Island State Honorees: Shelley Kornatz, 17, Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, Inc., Providence Alexander Lin, 12, Westerly Middle School, Westerly Distinguished Finalists: Jennifer Juhr, 16, North Smithfield Junior-Senior High School, North Smithfield Chelsea Rianna, 17, St. Mary Academy-Bay View, Riverside South Carolina State Honorees: Welland Burnside, 17, Maple Hill High School, Murrells Inlet Caitlyn Carlile, 12, Spartanburg Christian Academy, Spartanburg Distinguished Finalists: Kristen Laffler, 17, Eastside High School, Taylors Lindley Mayer, 17, J.L. Mann High School, Greenville Ricardo Robinson, 18, Clemson Extension 4-H, Charleston Julie Summey, 18, Pickens High School, Pickens South Dakota State Honorees: Leah Nixon, 17, St. Thomas More High School, Rapid City Abbey Merchen, 14, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish Distinguished Finalists: Stephanie Cooper, 18, Brookings High School, Brookings Brianne Nelson, 17, Sioux Valley High School, Volga Tennessee State Honorees: Scott Meltzer, 18, Centennial High School, Franklin Ellie Ambrose, 12, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville Distinguished Finalists: Sondra Clark, 16, Hands On Nashville, Nashville Jeremy Doochin, 18, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville Robert French, 18, Springfield High School, Springfield Shruti Shah, 17, White Station High School, Memphis Julia Taylor, 18, Hutchison School, Memphis Krystal Waters, 16, Heritage Christian Academy, Mt. Juliet Texas State Honorees: Benjamin Jones, 17, Sandra Day O'Connor High School, Helotes Tasha Kloesel, 13, Patti Welder Magnet Middle School, Victoria Distinguished Finalists: Gloria Chan, 16, Tom C. Clark High School, San Antonio Kyle Freas, 17, Plano West Senior High School, Plano Stefanie Hoskins, 17, The Woodlands High School, The Woodlands Hannah Lust, 18, The Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Dallas Christopher Martin, 18, School of Science and Engineering at Townview Center, Dallas David Matthew, 18, Lampasas High School, Lampasas Matthew McCall, 18, Lamesa High School, Lamesa Katherine Pryor, 16, Anahuac Middle School, Anahuac Katelyn Seloff, 13, DeWitt Perry Middle School, Carrollton Mireya Tapia, 18, Donna High School, Donna Utah State Honorees: Bradley Jencks, 15, South Jordan Middle School, South Jordan Lauren Hillman, 13, Lakeridge Junior High School, Orem Distinguished Finalists: Shannon Babb, 17, Utah County 4-H, Provo Victoria Morales, 18, Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City Brooke Robison, 18, United Way of Davis County, Midvale Rebecca Robison, 14, Fairfield Junior High School, Kaysville Vermont State Honorees: Phebe Meyers, 16, Woodstock Union High School, Woodstock Shane Dewing, 14, Orleans Elementary School, Orleans Distinguished Finalists: Sara Torres, 16, Rutland High School, Rutland Rebecca Young-Ward, 15, The Sharon Academy, Sharon Virginia State Honorees: Jonathan Nussbaum, 18, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria Caitlin Adkins, 12, L.F. Addington Middle School, Wise Distinguished Finalists: Benjamin Colburn, 18, Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News Courtney Cornelious, 17, William Monroe High School, Stanardsville Ryan King, 13, Lake Ridge Middle School, Woodbridge Matthew Klein, 18, Bishop O'Connell High School, Arlington Paul Martin, 17, Magna Vista High School, Ridgeway Jamae Parker, 13, Ruffner Academy, Norfolk Washington State Honorees: Jason Tolkin, 17, Mercer Island High School, Mercer Island Stephanie Abston, 14, Cascade Middle School, Vancouver Distinguished Finalists: Elizabeth Clair, 17, Bellarmine Preparatory School, Tacoma Ashley Hahn, 18, Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens Monika Hammon, 18, Decatur High School, Federal Way Mark Stayton, 17, Skyview High School, Vancouver Lauren Stromberger, 17, Sprague High School, Sprague Ema Yamamoto, 17, Annie Wright School, Tacoma West Virginia State Honorees: Erin Lavery, 17, Huntington High School, Huntington Jacob Hixenbaugh, 15, Barrackville Middle School, Barrackville Distinguished Finalists: Russell Hixenbaugh, 16, North Marion High School, Farmington Paul Zuros, 18, Weir High School, Weirton Wisconsin State Honorees: Andrew Napier, 17, Mauston High School, Mauston Michelle Loke, 13, Swallow School, Hartland Distinguished Finalists: Alexander Brower, 18, Jefferson High School, Jefferson Ashley Kilmer, 13, J.R. Gerritts Middle School, Kimberly Annemarie Krzysik, 18, Xavier High School, Appleton Sarah Meehan, 18, Weyauwega-Fremont High School, Weyauwega Tyler Sanchez, 18, The Prairie School, Racine Lindsey Walter, 17, Sheboygan South High School, Sheboygan Wyoming State Honorees: Addison Messick, 16, Central High School, Cheyenne Marie Schow, 14, Cody Middle School, Cody Distinguished Finalists: Bailey Brown, 17, Burns High School, Burns Erica Robertson, 18, Pine Bluffs High School, Pine Bluffs For more information on Prudential Spirit of Community Awards State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists, visit www.prudential.com/spirit.
America's 102 most outstanding youth volunteers - two from each state and the District of Columbia - were named State Honorees today by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for exemplary acts of volunteerism. The awards program, now in its 11th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Each of the 102 State Honorees will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., May 6-9 for several days of national recognition events. Ten of them will be named America's top youth volunteers for 2006 at that time.
More than 40 percent of this year's State Honorees are being honored for aiding or comforting the sick, disabled or disadvantaged. Others are being recognized for tutoring or mentoring younger children, reaching out to senior citizens, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, or enhancing community resources. Many conducted fund-raising or collection drives for hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast. Information on the volunteer activities of all of the State Honorees can be found at www.prudential.com/spirit or at www.principals.org/prudential.
In addition to the State Honorees, the program's judges recognized 234 students nationwide as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion. Approximately 780 other applicants were awarded Certificates of Excellence for their volunteer work. (See attached list of State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists.)
"The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities," said Art Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "They truly deserve all of the praise and encouragement we can give them."
"The young people recognized by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards demonstrate an enormous capacity for giving and reaching out to those in need," said Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. "NASSP is proud to honor them as they are wonderful examples of the high caliber of young people in our nation's schools today."
Since The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards began in 1995, more than 70,000 young volunteers have been honored at the local, state or national level. Many prominent Americans have assisted in saluting these honorees over the years, including Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Magic Johnson, John Glenn, Madeleine Albright, Rudy Giuliani, Whoopi Goldberg and Colin Powell. The program is now operating in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as in the U.S.
All public and private middle level and high schools in the U.S., as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Volunteer Centers, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award this past November. Nearly 8,000 Local Honorees were then reviewed by state-level judges, who selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.
While in Washington, D.C., the 102 State Honorees will tour the capital's landmarks, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. In addition, 10 of them - five middle level and five high school students - will be named National Honorees on May 8 by a prestigious national selection committee. These honorees will receive additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit, charitable organizations of their choice.
U.S. Senators Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia will serve as co-chairs of the national selection committee. Also serving on the committee will be Ryan of Prudential; actor Richard Dreyfuss; Alma Powell, chair of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth; Robert Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation; Amy B. Cohen, Director of Learn and Serve America at the Corporation for National and Community Service; Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA; Donald T. Floyd Jr., President and CEO of National 4-H Council; Ken Gladish, National Executive Director of YMCA of the USA; David Vodila, President of NASSP; and two 2005 Prudential Spirit of Community National Honorees: Devin Cohen of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., and Lindsey Williams of St. Joseph, Mo.
In addition to granting its own awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program will be distributing President's Volunteer Service Awards to nearly 4,200 of its Local Honorees this year on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is supported by National 4-H Council, Girl Scouts of the USA, American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, Points of Light Foundation, American Association of School Administrators, National Middle School Association, National School Boards Association, Council of the Great City Schools, National School Public Relations Association, and many other national youth and service organizations.
The awards are part of a broad initiative created by Prudential to encourage young people to become involved in community service. Other elements of the initiative include a community leadership training program for high school students, now administered by the Points of Light Foundation; and a variety of educational materials for young people and teachers relating to youth volunteerism.
NASSP - the preeminent organization and the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders - provides its members the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders. NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well-being of youth through its programs and student leadership services. NASSP administers the National Honor Society(TM), National Junior Honor Society(TM), and National Association of Student Councils(TM).
Prudential Financial companies serve individual and institutional customers worldwide and include The Prudential Insurance Company of America, one of the largest life insurance companies in the United States. These companies offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, mutual funds, annuities, pension and retirement related services and administration, asset management, securities brokerage, banking and trust services, real estate brokerage franchises and relocation services. For more information, visit www.prudential.com. -0- The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards 2006 State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists Alabama State Honorees: Kimberly Phares, 17, Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia Hills Louis Buckalew, 13, Clark School of Math, Science and Technology, Chickasaw Distinguished Finalists: Fabiani Duarte, 17, Randolph School, Huntsville Ryan Hagan, 18, Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia Hills Heather Smith, 17, Kate D. Smith DAR High School, Grant Laura Spurgeon, 17, Central High School, Phenix City Alaska State Honorees: Hannah Watkins, 16, Kenai Central High School, Kenai Sophie Wiepking-Brown, 13, Romig Middle School, Anchorage Distinguished Finalists: Tatiana Butler, 18, Kenai Peninsula 4-H, Soldotna Maria Geary-Brautigan, 17, Colony High School, Palmer Arizona State Honorees: Kaitlyn Meiss, 17, Horizon High School, Scottsdale Robert Sabori, 14, St. Mary-Basha Catholic School, Chandler Distinguished Finalists: Elizabeth Baker, 17, University High School, Tucson Alyssa Bisanz, 16, Dobson High School, Mesa Elizabeth Do, 17, Volunteer Center of Maricopa County, Phoenix Candelaria Horton, 18, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson Robert Ryan, 18, Mountain View High School, Mesa Imran Shafi, 18, Brophy College Preparatory School, Phoenix Arkansas State Honorees: Meredith Mitchell, 18, Little Rock Central High School, Little Rock Nicholas Vano, 15, Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic School, Little Rock Distinguished Finalists: Karla Emerson, 17, Independence County 4-H, Batesville Molly Magee, 17, Conway High School West, Conway Patrick Smith, 18, Lutheran High School, Little Rock Amanda Stolarz, 17, Murfreesboro High School, Murfreesboro California State Honorees: Jake Fuller, 16, West Valley High School, Cottonwood Nicholas Mejia, 13, Rio Vista Middle School, Fresno Distinguished Finalists: Romi Barta, 18, Harvard-Westlake School, North Hollywood Derek Beck, 17, Bellarmine College Preparatory School, San Jose Melissa Blaustein, 17, Redwood High School, Larkspur Bartell Cope, 16, Stevenson School, Pebble Beach Kelly Diep, 17, The Preuss School UCSD, La Jolla Sierra Gray, 12, Bradshaw Christian School, Sacramento Remy Greeno, 17, Harvard-Westlake School, North Hollywood Nicole Lanz, 17, Valencia High School, Valencia Shivam Shodhan, 17, Faith Baptist High School, Canoga Park Justin Woo, 17, Mountain View High School, Mountain View Colorado State Honorees: Cameron Mansanarez, 18, Monte Vista High School, Monte Vista Lindsey Marquez, 10, Girl Scouts Mountain Prairie Council, Fort Collins Distinguished Finalists: Genevieve Aguilar, 17, Boulder High School, Boulder Alyssa Allende Motz, 17, Thunder Ridge High School, Highlands Ranch Sophia Ernst, 18, Regis Jesuit High School, Aurora Natalie Martin, 18, Manitou Springs High School, Manitou Springs Connecticut State Honorees: Elizabeth Americo, 17, Guilford High School, Guilford Jack Appelbaum, 13, Central Middle School, Greenwich Distinguished Finalists: Patricia Burns, 17, Bristol Eastern High School, Bristol Jeremy Kaswer, 13, Avon Middle School, Avon Zachary Smith, 18, Westhill High School, Stamford Marybeth Tamborra, 17, Norwich Free Academy, Norwich Delaware State Honorees: Jennifer Crouse, 17, Lake Forest High School, Felton Jeffery Sullivan, 13, Kent County 4-H, Dover Distinguished Finalists: Anjali Gupta, 17, The Charter School of Wilmington, Wilmington Cedric Jacob, 17, Kent County 4-H, Dover District of Columbia State Honorees: Elizabeth Carr, 17, Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington Jannel Alston, 13, Jefferson Junior High School, Washington Distinguished Finalists: Marcus Green, 18, School Without Walls Senior High School, Washington Jazzy Wright, 17, School Without Walls Senior High School, Washington Florida State Honorees: Rebecca Farber, 18, Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Pinecrest Savannah Walters, 13, Independent Day School, Tampa Distinguished Finalists: Chelsea Heath, 17, Lakeland Senior High School, Lakeland Alannah Nic Phaidin, 17, Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School, Cocoa Beach Rory Nicolaides, 17, University High School, Orlando Danielle Padgett, 18, Sarasota County 4-H, Sarasota Robert Parrish, 16, Chamberlain High School, Tampa Zachary Sandoval, 17, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, Miami Samuel Silverman, 18, The Benjamin School, Palm Beach Gardens Jasmine Steele, 16, Indian Rocks Christian School, Largo Georgia State Honorees: Sydney McRee, 15, Baldwin High School, Milledgeville Ryan Ernstes, 13, The Walker School, Marietta Distinguished Finalists: Yasmin Assar, 16, Parkview High School, Lilburn Cara Burgess, 18, Houston County High School, Warner Robins Eleanor Cheatham, 18, Riverwood High School, Atlanta Stefanie Feldman, 17, The Lovett School, Atlanta Adria Hampton, 17, Lassiter High School, Marietta Taylor Mullinax, 12, Gordon Lee Middle School, Chickamauga Hawaii State Honorees: Evan Alicuben, 17, Waiakea High School, Hilo Zachary Pezzillo, 12, Seabury Hall Middle School, Makawao Distinguished Finalists: Chantel Garrett, 17, Iolani School, Honolulu Kyle Monette, 16, Mililani High School, Mililani Idaho State Honorees: Jenna Meeks, 17, Twin Falls High School, Twin Falls Alex Schneider, 13, Riverglen Junior High School, Boise Distinguished Finalists: Jessica Hansen, 18, Homedale High School, Homedale Heather Vann, 17, Sandpoint High School, Sandpoint Illinois State Honorees: Margaret McGlynn, 18, Althoff Catholic High School, Belleville Haley Sack, 13, LaSalle County 4-H, Ottawa Distinguished Finalists: Raul Garcia, 17, Argo Community High School, Summit Robert Harvey, 18, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire Michael Jacobson, 17, John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights Lauren Sandstrom, 18, Belvidere High School, Belvidere Jessica Schwarz, 17, Wauconda High School, Wauconda Emilio Tostado, 18, Morgan Park Academy, Chicago Kristin Unruh, 17, Harry D. Jacobs High School, Algonquin Emily Veenbaas, 11, Gower Middle School, Burr Ridge Indiana State Honorees: Ana Baracaldo, 18, Oak Hill High School, Converse Raven Peterson, 11, Creekside Middle School, Carmel Distinguished Finalists: Kellie Conrad, 18, Cathedral High School, Indianapolis Brittany Cook, 18, American Red Cross, Plymouth Savannah Holderman, 16, K & H Academy, Mishawaka Amber Lafever, 16, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis Claudia Montes, 17, Northwest High School, Indianapolis Gautham Vaidyanathan, 16, Penn High School, Mishawaka Iowa State Honorees: Kevin Peyton, 18, Sac Community High School, Sac City Natasha Swanson, 13, Boone County - Iowa State University Extension 4-H, Boone Distinguished Finalists: Benjamin Brown, 18, Iowa State University Extension 4-H, Iowa City Marla Claussen, 18, Pleasant Valley High School, Pleasant Valley Frances Vernon, 17, George Washington High School, Cedar Rapids Janelle Vittetoe, 17, Washington High School, Washington Kansas State Honorees: Nicole McClure, 17, Topeka High School, Topeka Lauren Hoge, 14, Leavenworth County 4-H, Leavenworth Distinguished Finalists: Michael Brookens, 17, Marion High School, Marion Elise McKenna, 16, Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park Alyssa Penner, 18, The Independent School, Wichita Calista Sneyd, 17, Ulysses High School, Ulysses Kentucky State Honorees: David Tao, 16, McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tenn. Christina Abney, 13, Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Louisville Distinguished Finalists: Austin Jacobs, 17, Clark County 4-H, Winchester Jaclyn Montgomery, 18, Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville Ryan Rose, 18, Raceland-Worthington High School, Raceland Janie Williams, 17, Central Hardin High School, Cecilia Louisiana State Honorees: Victoria LeBlanc, 17, Vermilion Parish 4-H, Abbeville Allison Gras, 13, Caddo Middle Magnet School, Shreveport Distinguished Finalists: Tara Doucet, 18, St. Thomas More High School, Lafayette Amanda Harb, 17, Lafayette High School, Lafayette David Tarnow, 17, Catholic High School, Baton Rouge Kristie Waddle, 16, Beauregard Parish 4-H, DeRidder Maine State Honorees: Kathleen Casasa Blouin, 18, Deering High School, Portland Kerry Kay, 14, Bath Middle School, Bath Distinguished Finalists: Marybeth Hoover, 17, Oxford Hills Christian Academy, Oxford Jennifer Masessa, 16, Mount View High School, Thorndike Maryland State Honorees: Erica Esposito, 16, Glenelg Country School, Ellicott City Elissa Redmiles, 11, Learning Community International, Columbia Distinguished Finalists: Kailyn Cage, 17, Largo High School, Upper Marlboro Christina Constantinides, 17, Girl Scout Council of the Nations Capital, Washington Molly Gates, 17, Great Mills High School, Great Mills Allison Lewis, 16, Thomas S. Wootton High School, Rockville Melissa Weinberger, 17, Westlake High School, Waldorf Russell Yaffe, 17, Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda Massachusetts State Honorees: Mireille Manzone, 18, Noble and Greenough School, Dedham Kassandra Gonsalves, 12, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, New Bedford Distinguished Finalists: Alexandra Azzolino, 15, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Acton Cynthia Delaney, 18, Gardner High School, Gardner Hui Feng, 17, Boston Latin School, Boston Morgan Foster, 16, Triton Regional High School, Byfield Chris Murphy, 17, Dover-Sherborn High School, Dover Jennifer Rogers, 18, Nipmuc Regional High School, Upton Michigan State Honorees: Jacqueline Kenyon, 16, Michigan Lutheran High School, St. Joseph Ella Kate Wagner, 13, Belding Middle School, Belding Distinguished Finalists: Sarah Jaward, 17, Dearborn High School, Dearborn Caitlin Kos, 13, Marist Academy, Pontiac Bethany Lyon, 17, American Red Cross, Alma Lauren Mondry, 15, Birmingham Seaholm High School, Birmingham Rebecca Nesbit, 16, MSU Extension-Huron County 4-H, Bad Axe Jennifer Wakenell, 17, Divine Child High School, Dearborn Gang Xu, 17, Heritage High School, Saginaw John Zhou, 18, Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills Minnesota State Honorees: Anna Stomberg, 17, Blackduck High School, Blackduck Hannah Nemer, 13, Friendly Hills Middle School, Mendota Heights Distinguished Finalists: Emily Bergerroet, 17, St. Peter High School, St. Peter Caitlin Cross, 15, Brainerd High School, Brainerd Caitlin Johnson, 17, Burnsville Senior High School, Burnsville Stacy Mandelkow, 17, Goodhue High School, Goodhue Kaia Sievert, 17, Girl Scouts Peacepipe Council, Redwood Falls Priya Sury, 17, Roseville Area High School, Roseville Mississippi State Honorees: Ajay Mangal, 18, Pascagoula High School, Pascagoula Claire McInnis, 11, Girl Scout Council of Middle Mississippi, Jackson Distinguished Finalists: Jessica Boyd, 18, Laurel High School, Laurel Ashley Gunn, 18, Jackson Preparatory School, Jackson Lindsey Gunter, 17, Manchester Academy, Yazoo City Amber Strange, 17, Olive Branch High School, Olive Branch Missouri State Honorees: McKay Yancey, 18, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, St. Louis Sarah Kurzu, 13, Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School, St. Louis Distinguished Finalists: Jonathan Arnold, 17, Gallatin R-V High School, Gallatin Leanna Baumer, 18, University of Missouri Extension 4-H, Hartville Ashley Kelsey, 18, Girl Scouts Heart of Missouri Council, Jefferson City Julia Rubin, 18, Parkway Central High School, Chesterfield Julia Shuck, 18, Monroe County 4-H, Paris Tessa Vellek, 12, Columbia Independent School, Columbia Montana State Honorees: Nicholas Schwaderer, 17, Mineral County 4-H, Superior Ian Lacy, 14, Hamilton Middle School, Hamilton Distinguished Finalists: Allison Mullin, 17, Stevensville High School, Stevensville Lena Petersen, 18, Polson High School, Polson Nebraska State Honorees: Emily Wemhoff, 16, Lakeview High School, Columbus Paige Chester, 12, Mission Middle School, Bellevue Distinguished Finalists: MaryLou Andrews, 17, Hamilton County 4-H, Aurora Cory Hanson, 18, Kearney High School, Kearney Nevada State Honorees: Erin Brosy, 17, Earl Wooster High School, Reno Daniel Edmondson, 13, Silvestri Junior High School, Las Vegas Distinguished Finalists: Natalie Bergstrom, 18, Carson High School, Carson City Mallory Cyr, 17, Clark High School, Las Vegas Bonnie Elliott, 17, Robert McQueen High School, Reno Cody Griffin, 16, Virginia City High School, Virginia City New Hampshire State Honorees: Ammu Irivinti, 16, Pinkerton Academy, Derry Hillary Hughes, 11, Girl Scouts Swift Water Council, Bedford Distinguished Finalists: Chiara Arcidy, 17, The Derryfield School, Manchester Emily Kaplan, 18, American Red Cross - Concord Chapter, Concord New Jersey State Honorees: Michael Pesci, 16, DePaul Catholic High School, Wayne Jessica Diamond, 12, West Brook Middle School, Paramus Distinguished Finalists: Michael Bachmann, 15, Highland Park High School, Highland Park Josephine Droney, 15, Mainland Regional High School, Linwood Daniel Feldman, 15, Atlantic County 4-H, Mays Landing Madison Pomerantz, 12, Franklin Avenue Middle School, Franklin Lakes Christine Ring, 16, Kent Place School, Summit Qinyun Wang, 18, East Brunswick High School, East Brunswick New Mexico State Honorees: Lindsey Frick, 17, Sandia High School, Albuquerque Logan Medlin, 14, Tatum Junior High School, Tatum Distinguished Finalists: Eve Ahern Wild, 17, Albuquerque High School, Albuquerque Kristen Biggins, 18, Mayfield High School, Las Cruces New York State Honorees: Geneva Johnson, 17, High School for Health Professions & Human Services, New York City Brian McPartland, 12, Henry H. Wells Middle School, Brewster Distinguished Finalists: Michelle Engleman, 15, Girl Scouts Indian Hills Council, Binghamton Patrick Gavin-Brynes, 18, Lake George Junior-Senior High School, Lake George Claudette Martin, 14, Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H, Troy Leo McFarland, 16, Tottenville High School, New York City Julianne Panagacos, 17, Briarcliff High School, Briarcliff Manor Natasha Spedalle, 16, School of the Future, New York City Raphael Spiro, 15, Bronx High School of Science, New York City Andrew Titley, 18, Oceanside High School, Oceanside North Carolina State Honorees: Sarai Pegram, 15, Girl Scouts Tarheel Triad Council, Colfax Alyssa Holden, 10, Cox Mill Elementary School, Concord Distinguished Finalists: Tara Austin, 17, South Caldwell High School, Hudson Caitlin Byrnes, 17, North Mecklenburg High School, Huntersville Ryan Garrett, 17, Lee County American Red Cross, Sanford Laurel Mauney, 18, South Point High School, Belmont Paige Ridout, 17, Smithfield-Selma High School, Smithfield Michael Williford, 17, Westchester Academy, High Point North Dakota State Honorees: Miranda Uriell, 17, Nelson County 4-H, Lakota Benjamen Sun, 13, South Middle School, Grand Forks Distinguished Finalists: Greg Brockman, 17, Red River High School, Grand Forks Nicole Nelson, 17, Lakota High School, Lakota Ohio State Honorees: Karoline McMullen, 15, Hawken School, Gates Mills Renee Hagerty, 14, Northwood Junior High School, Elyria Distinguished Finalists: Steven Engelhaupt, 18, Dublin Scioto High School, Dublin Lauren Espe, 17, Hilliard Davidson High School, Hilliard Emily Evans, 17, Western Reserve Academy, Hudson Amanda Lynch, 17, Elgin High School, Marion Christine Orchard, 17, Bedford High School, Bedford Drew Snyder, 14, Northridge Middle School, Springfield David Trinh, 16, St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati Sarah Woerner, 17, Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School, Dayton Oklahoma State Honorees: Savanna Petricek, 16, Midwest City High School, Midwest City Kylie Stowers, 14, Cleveland County 4-H, Norman Distinguished Finalists: Chantal Reina-Ortiz, 17, Lawton Christian School, Lawton Claire Richard, 18, Casady School, Oklahoma City Matthew Taylor, 15, Pontotoc County 4-H, Ada Ashley Zumwalt, 15, Tinker Area YMCA, Midwest City Oregon State Honorees: Bradley Goldsberry, 18, Winston Churchill High School, Eugene Hailey Hilding, 13, Coquille Valley School, Coquille Distinguished Finalists: Brittany Dushame-Wendland, 16, Philomath High School, Philomath Rayanna Mitchell, 17, Enterprise High School, Enterprise Rachael Peterson, 17, Oakridge High School, Oakridge Chrystal Rosen-Murr, 17, Thurston High School, Springfield Pennsylvania State Honorees: Alexander Brothers, 17, Kennett High School, Kennett Square Taylor Saraiva, 14, Lemoyne Middle School, Lemoyne Distinguished Finalists: John Hill, 16, Cathedral Preparatory School, Erie Kevin Hoe, 16, North Penn High School, Lansdale Laura James, 13, Milton Middle School, Milton Tzippora Kanal, 17, Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Ryan Lock, 18, Radnor High School, Radnor Adrian Rodrigues, 17, Upper Dublin High School, Fort Washington Gordon Vanscoy, 17, Hempfield Area High School, Greensburg Chelsea Wright, 18, Phoenixville Area High School, Phoenixville Rhode Island State Honorees: Shelley Kornatz, 17, Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, Inc., Providence Alexander Lin, 12, Westerly Middle School, Westerly Distinguished Finalists: Jennifer Juhr, 16, North Smithfield Junior-Senior High School, North Smithfield Chelsea Rianna, 17, St. Mary Academy-Bay View, Riverside South Carolina State Honorees: Welland Burnside, 17, Maple Hill High School, Murrells Inlet Caitlyn Carlile, 12, Spartanburg Christian Academy, Spartanburg Distinguished Finalists: Kristen Laffler, 17, Eastside High School, Taylors Lindley Mayer, 17, J.L. Mann High School, Greenville Ricardo Robinson, 18, Clemson Extension 4-H, Charleston Julie Summey, 18, Pickens High School, Pickens South Dakota State Honorees: Leah Nixon, 17, St. Thomas More High School, Rapid City Abbey Merchen, 14, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish Distinguished Finalists: Stephanie Cooper, 18, Brookings High School, Brookings Brianne Nelson, 17, Sioux Valley High School, Volga Tennessee State Honorees: Scott Meltzer, 18, Centennial High School, Franklin Ellie Ambrose, 12, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville Distinguished Finalists: Sondra Clark, 16, Hands On Nashville, Nashville Jeremy Doochin, 18, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville Robert French, 18, Springfield High School, Springfield Shruti Shah, 17, White Station High School, Memphis Julia Taylor, 18, Hutchison School, Memphis Krystal Waters, 16, Heritage Christian Academy, Mt. Juliet Texas State Honorees: Benjamin Jones, 17, Sandra Day O'Connor High School, Helotes Tasha Kloesel, 13, Patti Welder Magnet Middle School, Victoria Distinguished Finalists: Gloria Chan, 16, Tom C. Clark High School, San Antonio Kyle Freas, 17, Plano West Senior High School, Plano Stefanie Hoskins, 17, The Woodlands High School, The Woodlands Hannah Lust, 18, The Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Dallas Christopher Martin, 18, School of Science and Engineering at Townview Center, Dallas David Matthew, 18, Lampasas High School, Lampasas Matthew McCall, 18, Lamesa High School, Lamesa Katherine Pryor, 16, Anahuac Middle School, Anahuac Katelyn Seloff, 13, DeWitt Perry Middle School, Carrollton Mireya Tapia, 18, Donna High School, Donna Utah State Honorees: Bradley Jencks, 15, South Jordan Middle School, South Jordan Lauren Hillman, 13, Lakeridge Junior High School, Orem Distinguished Finalists: Shannon Babb, 17, Utah County 4-H, Provo Victoria Morales, 18, Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City Brooke Robison, 18, United Way of Davis County, Midvale Rebecca Robison, 14, Fairfield Junior High School, Kaysville Vermont State Honorees: Phebe Meyers, 16, Woodstock Union High School, Woodstock Shane Dewing, 14, Orleans Elementary School, Orleans Distinguished Finalists: Sara Torres, 16, Rutland High School, Rutland Rebecca Young-Ward, 15, The Sharon Academy, Sharon Virginia State Honorees: Jonathan Nussbaum, 18, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria Caitlin Adkins, 12, L.F. Addington Middle School, Wise Distinguished Finalists: Benjamin Colburn, 18, Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News Courtney Cornelious, 17, William Monroe High School, Stanardsville Ryan King, 13, Lake Ridge Middle School, Woodbridge Matthew Klein, 18, Bishop O'Connell High School, Arlington Paul Martin, 17, Magna Vista High School, Ridgeway Jamae Parker, 13, Ruffner Academy, Norfolk Washington State Honorees: Jason Tolkin, 17, Mercer Island High School, Mercer Island Stephanie Abston, 14, Cascade Middle School, Vancouver Distinguished Finalists: Elizabeth Clair, 17, Bellarmine Preparatory School, Tacoma Ashley Hahn, 18, Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens Monika Hammon, 18, Decatur High School, Federal Way Mark Stayton, 17, Skyview High School, Vancouver Lauren Stromberger, 17, Sprague High School, Sprague Ema Yamamoto, 17, Annie Wright School, Tacoma West Virginia State Honorees: Erin Lavery, 17, Huntington High School, Huntington Jacob Hixenbaugh, 15, Barrackville Middle School, Barrackville Distinguished Finalists: Russell Hixenbaugh, 16, North Marion High School, Farmington Paul Zuros, 18, Weir High School, Weirton Wisconsin State Honorees: Andrew Napier, 17, Mauston High School, Mauston Michelle Loke, 13, Swallow School, Hartland Distinguished Finalists: Alexander Brower, 18, Jefferson High School, Jefferson Ashley Kilmer, 13, J.R. Gerritts Middle School, Kimberly Annemarie Krzysik, 18, Xavier High School, Appleton Sarah Meehan, 18, Weyauwega-Fremont High School, Weyauwega Tyler Sanchez, 18, The Prairie School, Racine Lindsey Walter, 17, Sheboygan South High School, Sheboygan Wyoming State Honorees: Addison Messick, 16, Central High School, Cheyenne Marie Schow, 14, Cody Middle School, Cody Distinguished Finalists: Bailey Brown, 17, Burns High School, Burns Erica Robertson, 18, Pine Bluffs High School, Pine Bluffs For more information on Prudential Spirit of Community Awards State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists, visit www.prudential.com/spirit.
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