2018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS - Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals
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2018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represent the In addition to the organizations cited above, The Prudential
United States’ largest youth recognition program based Spirit of Community Awards are supported by the American
exclusively on volunteer community service. The awards Association of School Administrators, America’s Promise
were created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the Alliance, National School Boards Association, Association
National Association of Secondary School Principals to honor for Middle Level Education, National Association for Music
middle level and high school students at the local, state and Education, Council of the Great City Schools, National
national level for outstanding service to others. School Public Relations Association, National Parent
The program’s goal is to applaud young people who Teacher Association and numerous other youth and
already are making a positive difference in their towns and service organizations.
neighborhoods, and, even more importantly, to inspire others The program also has benefited from the participation
to think about how they might contribute to the well-being of many notable Americans, including Jimmy Carter,
of their communities. Over the past 23 years, more than Barbara Bush, Mario Cuomo, Magic Johnson, Richard
120,000 young Americans have been officially recognized Dreyfuss, John Glenn, Madeleine Albright, Martin Sheen,
for their volunteer work. Rudy Giuliani, Whoopi Goldberg, Colin Powell, Ted Danson,
Each program year begins in September with the mailing Peyton Manning, Laura Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Susan
of information and applications to all middle level and high Sarandon, Eli Manning, Forest Whitaker, Robin Roberts,
schools in the U.S., which solicit completed applications Hilary Swank, Michael Phelps and numerous U.S. senators.
from their students and then select Local Honorees, who The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program
receive Certificates of Achievement. Local Honorees also are also is conducted in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan,
selected by Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, Ireland, India, China, Brazil and Poland.
American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, and Affiliate of Points
of Light’s HandsOn Network.
From these Local Honorees, the top middle level and high
school volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has
are chosen by an independent judging organization and
operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
announced in early February. These 102 State Honorees Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping
receive a $1,000 award, an engraved silver medallion and individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth
an all-expense-paid trip with a parent or guardian to through a variety of products and services, including life insurance,
Washington, D.C., in late April for four days of recognition annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment
events. From 2 to 10 runners-up in each state receive management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood
engraved bronze medallions as Distinguished Finalists. for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century.
For more information, please visit news.prudential.com.
While in Washington, the State Honorees share their
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is
experiences and ideas with one another, tour the historic the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school
monuments and landmarks of the nation’s capital, visit their leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education
U.S. senators on Capitol Hill, and are honored at a gala through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each
dinner and award ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to
Museum of Natural History. In addition, 10 of the 102 State the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment
Honorees are named America’s youth volunteers of the year to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National
Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary
at a formal luncheon. These National Honorees receive
Honor Society, and National Student Council.
additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies
for their schools or organizations, and $5,000 grants from
The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable
organizations of their choice.
CONGRATULATIONS
As we celebrate the 23rd annual Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards, we are proud to recognize 102 young people from across
the United States for their exemplary volunteer service. The State
Honorees who are with us this weekend – two from each state
and the District of Columbia – stood out among thousands of
applicants as particularly impressive examples of what young
Americans today are capable of doing to make their communities
better places to live.
These outstanding young men and women come from different
JOHN STRANGFE L D
Chairman and CEO, places and backgrounds, and became volunteers for many
Prudential Financial, Inc.
different reasons. Yet they all share a deep concern for the well-
being of others, and a firm determination to turn that concern into
action. They deserve our profound respect and sincere thanks for
improving the world in which we live.
We congratulate and salute our 2018 State Honorees for
their selfless commitment, personal initiative, and inspiring
accomplishments. In honoring them, we also pay tribute to the
millions of other young people throughout the United States who
give of themselves to serve their communities. By honoring these
102 very special individuals, we also hope to persuade many more
of their peers that community service is a vitally important, highly
J OANN BARTOLE T T I valued, and deeply rewarding way to make a difference in the
Executive Director,
National Association of world today.
Secondary School Principals
Washington, D.C.
April 28, 2018
1
2018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Alabama
Grayson Phillips, 18, Katherine Huggins,
of Gardendale, Ala., 14, of Florence, Ala., a
a senior at Essential member of Girl Scouts of
Church School, North-Central Alabama
organized a fishing and an eighth-grader
tournament and a fundraising dinner/auction, at Wilson High School, delivered 25 clear
and collected donations at outdoor expos, to storage containers filled with small stuffed
provide seven children and young adults with animals to every volunteer fire department
disabilities with all-terrain power wheelchairs in her county so that firefighters could give
that allow them to safely navigate the great them to children suffering the effects of fire,
outdoors with their peers. Grayson, who was car accidents and domestic upheaval. In the
born with spina bifida, knew all too well the past, Katherine had donated some of her
frustration of not being able to easily follow own stuffed animals to local fire and police
his fellow Boy Scouts during campouts and departments to send out with officers and
other outdoor activities. “I was constantly firefighters on calls involving children. But last
getting stuck in the mud or in the sand in year, she and a friend who also loves stuffed
the woods and on the beach in my manual animals decided to do more. They came up
wheelchair,” he said. But after raising money with the idea of collecting and donating new
to buy his own Action Trackchair and seeing and gently-used stuffed animals for all of their
how dramatically it changed his life, he county’s volunteer fire departments to deliver.
wanted others with disabilities to experience “I knew the city had programs, but the
the same freedom. So three years ago, he county did not,” said Katherine. “I felt it was
founded a nonprofit to buy chairs for others. important that the kids in the county have a
comfort item.”
To publicize his organization and fundraising
events, Grayson created a website, utilized “I felt it was important
social media, sent out press releases, and
set up a booth at outdoor expos. He asked that the kids in the
local businesses for donations, and spoke at county have a comfort
schools to recruit volunteers. So far, Grayson
has provided all-terrain power wheelchairs
item.”
worth more than $84,000 to seven people To get local fire departments on board,
who have a passion for the outdoors, but not Katherine met with fire officials and spoke
the money to buy their own. They include at two meetings of the county firefighters
a Mississippi girl with cerebral palsy who association. Then she made flyers and
loves the beach, a girl in North Carolina who posted them around town to solicit stuffed
now can go hunting, and an Alabama boy animal donations. She enlisted the help of
who used his new chair to help clean up his friends and family to collect the animals,
community during a church service day. “It which she washed, sorted, and packed into
is important to me to help as many disabled 25 clear storage containers labeled “Tender
kids as possible get outdoors because I know Hearts.” The containers were then delivered
what it feels like to experience independence to fire stations throughout the county so that
for the first time,” said Grayson. officials responding to emergencies would
have a furry friend to leave behind with a
“It is important to me to frightened child. The project has since led
help as many disabled Katherine to other volunteer opportunities,
including making a fire safety poster,
kids as possible get donating stuffed animals to a library, and
outdoors...” supervising activities for young children.
2
2018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Alaska
Vanessa Duhrsen, 17, Jessica Perry, 12,
of Anchorage, Alaska, of Kenai, Alaska, a
a senior at West High seventh-grader at
School, developed a Nikiski Middle/High
sustainable after-school School, has been a
program to promote healthier lifestyles dedicated volunteer since the summer of
among students in rural Native Alaskan 2016 with her local Boys & Girls Club,
villages by teaching and encouraging them to providing hands-on support on activities
cross-country ski. “I have grown up cross- ranging from housekeeping to helping with
country skiing,” said Vanessa, “and I want art projects. Jessica was inspired to help the
to share with others the joy and positivity club by several of its staff members. “They
that skiing has given me.” So, over the showed me how to help and act, which
past two years, she has volunteered as a inspired me to help the children at B&G,”
ski instructor for a nonprofit that conducts Jessica said. So she talked to staffers to
weeklong Nordic skiing clinics for kids in learn how she might be able to help. “I felt
rural communities. But after joining the like it was important because now the simple
nonprofit’s board, “I began to realize that things that the staff had to take time out of
one-week volunteer visits were not enough their busy life to do, I now could do for the
to engrain skiing into village life,” she said. staff,” Jessica said.
To address this concern, Vanessa created
a program called “Skiku Schoolmates” to After learning where she might be able to
help communities maintain skiing activities make a difference, Jessica got to work. She
throughout the year. has helped with teaching choir, healthy
habits instruction and art projects. She’s
“I want to share with others also provided cleanup and housekeeping
support, and helped staff members with
the joy and positivity that their planning. Jessica made a special effort
skiing has given me.” to learn perseverance, patience and how to
talk to kids. She recruited her best friend to
volunteer, too. Over the course of her time
With backing from the nonprofit, she crafted
volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club,
a plan to move to the town of Kotzebue
Jessica has supported nearly 100 kids and
on Alaska’s west coast for four months
the entire staff – and has even received an
to begin implementing her program. She
award for her efforts. “The main thing I have
secured housing from a state agency,
gotten out of my volunteer work is a newfound
applied for grants, solicited support from
appreciation for kids,” Jessica said.
school principals, and gathered hundreds of
donated skis, boots and poles. She’ll start
with after-school instruction and coaching “The main thing I have
at the town’s elementary school, then gotten out of my volunteer
give middle and high school students the
opportunity to ski every day after school. work is a newfound
She also plans to provide community leaders appreciation for kids.”
with the training and resources necessary
to continue her program after she leaves.
Vanessa strongly believes that an outdoor
activity like skiing is not only fun and useful,
but can help alleviate some of the problems
prevalent in rural Alaska, such as obesity,
substance abuse and violence.
32018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Arizona
Aditya Sidapara, 18, Leanna Clipper, 14,
of Phoenix, Ariz., of Phoenix, Ariz.,
a senior at BASIS an eighth-grader at
Scottsdale, co-founded Sweetwater School,
an educational initiative started a “Peer Share”
that is teaching computer coding to students club that pairs middle school mentors
living in four refugee camps in East Africa, with younger students who are dealing
aiming to lift them out of poverty and help with difficult personal issues, but are not
meet the worldwide demand for skilled comfortable discussing them with an adult.
software engineers. Aditya showed an early An avid volunteer, Leanna said she “loves
aptitude in programming and technology, helping my community and making the
building his first website when he was in world a better place.” She started her club
third grade. Two years ago, he met two young because she knew of students going through
men who were conducting coding workshops tough times but not being able to open up to
in refugee communities in the Phoenix anyone. “It breaks my heart to see students
area, and envisioned a full-fledged software in trouble,” she said.
vocational training program for refugee
students. Together, they launched the
Refugee Code Academy and began working
“We have already touched
to bring coding boot camps to refugee the lives of many students
settlements in Tanzania, Malawi and Kenya. just by giving them a
“Millions of high-potential refugees live
caring shoulder to
in atrociously impoverished communities, lean on...”
hindered from realizing their dreams
through technology,” said Aditya. “Software To start her club, Leanna wrote a detailed
engineering offers a dignified path for plan and presented it to her school social
uplifting refugees from cyclical poverty and worker and principal. After they approved
inspiring the next generation of regional her idea, she made announcements at
and global innovators.” As a member of school, created and distributed applications,
the academy team, Aditya has developed and selected peer mentors. So far, dozens
a curriculum for offline digital classes of students have met with her mentors to
taught by local volunteer teachers, built discuss their problems and learn new coping
relationships with local NGOs, recruited skills. “We have already touched the lives of
volunteer programmers, and forged many students just by giving them a caring
relationships with U.S. firms that could shoulder to lean on and a listening ear,
mentor or employ refugee students who with confidentiality and safety yet without
are able to emigrate from Africa. He also judgment,” said Leanna. “We have helped
is working to augment his academy’s students with family, bullying, homework
curriculum with virtual reality technology. and other school-related issues,” she said.
In addition to forming her club, Leanna
“Software engineering also has volunteered at her local food bank,
offers a dignified path for participated as a speaker and tour leader
during a school leadership day, created a
uplifting refugees from dance committee at her school, and was a
cyclical poverty.” key member of an event to match kids with
special needs with student “buddies.”
42018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Arkansas
Anna Richey, 16, of Alexis Roberson, 13,
Paris, Ark., a sophomore of Caraway, Ark.,
at Paris High School, a seventh-grader
organizes an annual at Riverside High
community “tea party” School, launched a
that has collected more than $100,000 in campaign that collected more than 1,500
gifts and donations over the past four years coloring books and 600 boxes of crayons
to brighten the Christmas season for foster for hospitalized children in memory of her
children. Anna became interested in helping best friend. “When I was little, my mom
foster kids after four of her cousins were was single and struggled to put food on
taken from their home and placed in foster the table,” said Alexis. That experience
homes throughout Arkansas. “They felt very sparked a desire to help others in difficult
scared and alone,” she said. When Anna circumstances. As a result, she has
and her sisters learned how many children distributed “survival kits” through first
were in the same situation, they resolved responders and also provided blankets and
to do something to help. “We decided that cooling fans to nursing home residents.
no matter what the circumstances, all kids But her biggest volunteer activity has been
should have smiles on Christmas morning,” pursuing the dream of her best friend,
she said. Bailey, who passed away in 2016.
Bailey said that coloring helped take her
“... no matter what the mind off being sick for a little while, and
dreamed of collecting coloring books and
circumstances, all kids crayons for other sick children. “She never
should have smiles on got the chance to make her dream come
true,” said Alexis, “so I started Books
Christmas morning.” for Bailey in her memory.” She asked for
donations on Facebook and enlisted the
The Richey sisters hosted a holiday tea party help of her mother, a local FBLA chapter, a
at their house and invited friends to bring fundraising partner, and the town of Lake
gifts for foster children. Each successive City. Schools across the state began helping,
year their party grew bigger, so four years too, and just in time for Christmas, Alexis
ago, they made it a public event, moved it was able to deliver coloring books and
to a local community center and invited all supplies to well over a thousand smiling
the elementary school girls in their area. children at St. Jude Children’s Research
After her older sister graduated from high Hospital. Alexis is now collecting soda can
school, Anna assumed overall responsibility tabs to support a Ronald McDonald House in
for running the party, overseeing publicity, Memphis to honor her late friend.
volunteer recruitment, donation collection,
and event logistics. The 2016 party alone
drew more than 300 attendees and collected “She never got the chance
nearly $28,000 in gifts for 120 foster kids. to make her dream come
Anna notes that the party also serves to
make her whole community aware of the
true, so I started Books for
“desperate need” to improve the lives of Bailey in her memory.”
children in foster care.
52018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
California
Michelle Qin, 17, of Autumn Bright, 13,
Santa Barbara, Calif., of Portola Valley,
a junior at Dos Pueblos Calif., a seventh-
High School, is the grader at Corte Madera
founder and CEO of a Elementary School,
nonprofit organization comprised of more raised more than $23,000 last year to build
than 100 students in California, New Jersey an orphanage for 12 abandoned children
and British Columbia who work to empower in India, and to dig a freshwater well and
girls and women around the world, focused purchase school supplies for the kids. During
on education, poverty and health. In 2015, a family trip to India in 2016, Autumn was
a friend of Michelle’s returned from a trip to stunned by the poverty she saw there. “The
Guatemala and showed her pictures of girls most shocking part was that a large majority
living in poverty. “I was touched so profoundly of those on the streets were children around
because those girls were my age,” said my age and younger,” she said. “I realized
Michelle. “Their stories opened my eyes to the how privileged we are in the United States.”
spectrum of privilege we live in, and I realized
that geographical situations alone can change
the course of our entire lives and future.” “The most shocking part
was that a large majority of
“I realized that those on the streets were
geographical situations children around my age...”
alone can change the
course of our entire Upon returning home, Autumn researched
lives...” aid organizations and learned that she
could build her own orphanage through a
Michelle decided to organize a club at her charity called Angel House, but she’d have
school to assist the girls she’d seen in the to raise $23,500 to do it. With help from
photos, initially by holding bake sales to help some friends, she began baking cookies,
pay education costs. As the club expanded dog treats and other food items, and selling
to include more than 100 members in them at a nearby park after school and in
three branches, it obtained nonprofit front of local grocery stores on weekends.
status and tackled a variety of ambitious She also became a certified babysitter and
projects. So far, Michelle’s “Together to emailed town residents offering her services.
Empower” organization has not only raised In addition, she collected money by growing
funds to help 550 Guatemalan girls go to and selling plants, pet sitting, watering
school, but also made it possible for several neighbors’ shrubs and flowers, and soliciting
Ugandan women to learn business skills donations. “All of the money I raised will go
and entrepeneurship, organized a two-week toward building a twelve-child Angel House
computer coding camp for 25 girls, hosted a and a freshwater well, as well as buying
fundraising banquet to promote safe health brand new school shoes and fully stocked
practices for African women, and held tech backpacks,” said Autumn. The orphanage,
workshops to teach 50 girls how to develop she said, “will provide the children with a
mobile computer applications. The group safe home, healthy meals, a great education
is now preparing to publish an art book and so much love for years to come.”
depicting various artists’ interpretations of
what it means to be a woman.
62018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Colorado
Savannah Rock, 17, Addison Kleinhans,
of Aurora, Colo., a 13, of Broomfield,
senior at Grandview Colo., an eighth-grader
High School, began at Colorado Digital
a campaign in 2011 Academy, has delivered
to promote the inclusion of students with more than 130 speeches to raise money for
disabilities in all aspects of school life, and childhood cancer causes and to motivate
to change the way her whole community others to stay positive in the face of adversity.
views and engages with people who have Life changed dramatically for Addison a
traditionally been excluded because of month before his sixth birthday. He had a high
disability, race, religion, ethnicity or sexual fever, so his mother took him to the doctor.
orientation. Savannah’s inspiration was her “Sadly, we found out that I had cancer,”
older brother, who was born with a genetic said Addison, who ended up undergoing
disorder that causes cognitive delays. “I 38 months of chemotherapy to treat his
watched as he struggled with school, being leukemia. One day a doctor asked if he would
bullied and excluded from activities in and share his story with hospital donors. He did,
out of school,” she said. “I saw the way describing how the hospital had become “my
schools and communities viewed people with home,” and crediting the hospital staff with
disabilities and only identified them as their helping him “to not be scared.”
disability, not as the kind and loving people
they truly are.” That event raised so much money that
Addison was soon asked to speak at other
Savannah’s “Project Unify” sponsors and fundraisers and events. “At first, I didn’t
organizes a series of programs and events know what to say, but I learned all you have
designed to celebrate inclusion and bring to do is speak from your heart,” he said.
students with and without disabilities Even though some of his medications made
together for meaningful interaction. These him drowsy and he had difficulty breathing in
include school “spirit weeks,” music the proper places during a speech, Addison
concerts, parties, sports activities, youth never turned down a chance to speak; he
leadership meetings and camping outings. considered it his way of giving back. Chosen
Savannah also helps lead unified sports as Boy of the Year by his local chapter of the
activities, and was chosen to represent Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Addison
Colorado as a youth leadership ambassador helped raise tens of thousands of dollars to
to the Special Olympics USA Games. combat these cancers. Although he says he
“My mission is to make all schools and will continue to give speeches to raise money
communities inclusive and unified for all, to and awareness for childhood cancer, Addison
create a new way to embrace each other’s also has begun giving motivational speeches
uniqueness and leverage our abilities to at schools. “I am teaching others to find the
make the world a better place,” she said. bright bit of sun even on the grayest day and
to remember they are not alone,” he said.
“My mission is to
make all schools and “I am teaching others to
communities inclusive find the bright bit of sun
and unified for all...” even on the grayest day...”
72018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Connecticut
Grace Bergin, 17, of Sivani Arvapalli, 13, of
Farmington, Conn., a South Windsor, Conn.,
junior at Miss Porter’s nominated by the
School, has raised more Indian Valley Family
than $144,000 over YMCA and an eighth-
the past nine years to support the Center for grader at Timothy Edwards Middle School,
Cancer and Blood Disorders at Connecticut volunteers with a group that has raised
Children’s Medical Center by selling nearly $94,000 for child-focused charities
lemonade. When Grace was in first grade, by conducting talent shows and organizing
she was given a book about a little girl with benefit dinners and entertainment events.
cancer named Alex who raised $1 million Six high school students started the “Power
before her death by running lemonade stands of Peace (POP)” volunteer group several
to fight childhood cancer. “I read the book years ago to improve the lives of children.
over and over and decided that I too, wanted In 2013, Sivani participated in the group’s
to do a lemonade stand,” said Grace. After first fundraiser, a talent show. Inspired by
moving to a new town and learning that the her father, an avid volunteer, Sivani officially
Memorial Day parade passed in front of her joined the group the following year. “I believe
house, Grace decided to sell lemonade in her volunteering is important because it shapes
front yard during the annual event. people into better humans and makes them
more selfless,” said Sivani. “My decision was
That first year, Grace operated one stand to make a change in our world, whether it is
and raised $226. Now, every year she has the smallest or biggest thing.”
multiple stands along the parade route, as
well as volunteers walking wagons up and “My decision was to make a
down the street, selling to bystanders. To
prepare, she sends emails to loyal donors
change in our world...”
in 42 states, recruits volunteers, makes The POP group meets once a week to discuss
online appeals through her website, and upcoming events, projects and ideas. As one
solicits local businesses for support. Whole of their events draws near, members break
Foods Market donates all of the lemonade. into four teams to organize logistics, guest
In addition to selling at the parade, Grace reception and donations, food and stage
has recently started serving her beverages operations. When it’s over, the members pick
at sporting events and local businesses. charities to support with their proceeds. The
Since she started her philanthropic venture, group has raised funds for sick children at
two close friends have been diagnosed with the Hole in the Wall Gang camp, “adopted”
cancer. “As well as being supportive of them 10 orphans each year at the Atma Vidya
during treatment, I also feel like I’m helping Ashram in India, donated Thanksgiving
in a larger way, too,” Grace said. turkeys to a food bank, and provided
Christmas toys for a local children’s hospital.
“As well as being supportive On her own, Sivani also spent the last three
of them during treatment, summers tutoring children and organized a
neighborhood lemonade stand to raise money
I also feel like I’m helping for a school program.
in a larger way, too.”
82018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Delaware
Maricruz Contreras, Jenna Dewey, 13, of
17, of Wilmington, Felton, Del., an eighth-
Del., a junior at grader at Postlethwait
Delaware Design- Middle School,
Lab High School, collected nearly 1,500
plays a leadership and advocacy role in books and several pieces of furniture to
several organizations to support LGBT+ create a new children’s library at a local
youth and educate the public about the homeless shelter. Wanting to make a “strong,
challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual lasting” impact on her community, Jenna
and transgender people. “Seeing and sent an email to her school principal asking
experiencing firsthand the lack of knowledge if she could conduct a book drive at the
and support for the LGBT+ community, I school to benefit kids at a family shelter in
realized that it had to change, and that was Dover. “After hearing my idea, she gladly
when I knew that the idea of me being an allowed me to share the plan with staff and
advocate was key to my personal growth as students at our school, and they embraced
a gay adolescent,” said Maricruz. the challenge,” she said.
Maricruz has served as a mentor and leader Jenna made announcements to the student
in their high school’s Pride Club, teaching body and hung posters throughout the
staff and students about the difficulties school, then created drop boxes to collect
faced by LGBT+ students and how to foster donated books. The response was so positive
a more supportive school environment. As that she expanded her drive to all of the
a member of the national student council schools in her school district. As donations
of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education poured in, Jenna spent hours counting and
Network (GLSEN), Maricruz writes blog labeling each book before packing them all
posts, plans and assists with yearly events, up and delivering them to The Shepherd
and led the network’s Latinx Heritage Month Place shelter. In addition to the 1,460
activities last year. Maricruz also is involved books that she provided, Jenna procured
in educational outreach in conjunction and painted three children’s chairs for the
with LGBT+ History Month, and promotes new library, and furnished three additional
safe-sex education as a member of Planned plastic chairs, a table and two bookshelves
Parenthood of Delaware’s teen council. as well. “I felt extremely proud knowing that
Most recently, Maricruz helped teach the amount of effort I had put in was actually
lessons at an annual anti-bullying conference going to pay off and make a difference in my
and performed a stand-up comedy routine community,” said Jenna.
on LGBT+ stereotypes. “I take pride in who
I am, and want to instill that in others,”
they said. “I felt extremely proud
knowing that the amount
“I take pride in who I am, of effort I had put in was
and want to instill that in actually going to pay off
others.” and make a difference...”
92018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
District of
Columbia
Samantha O’Sullivan, Kimber Dickson, 12,
17, of Washington, of Washington, D.C., a
D.C., a senior at School seventh-grader at Saint
Without Walls Senior Augustine Catholic
High School, started School, volunteered
and leads an after-school club that engages with her Girl Scout troop to teach children in
African American middle school students in an after-school program at a local recreation
fun and educational science activities, to center about basic financial matters.
promote their interest and self-confidence Teaching financial literacy is important, said
in STEM (science, technology, engineering Kimber, because “people think that money is
and math) subjects. “As an African American going to last forever, but the truth is that it is
girl pursuing math and physics, I have often easier to lose money than to earn it.” When
found that professionals in my fields of her Girl Scout troop decided to undertake
interest do not look like me,” said Samantha. a financial service project, Kimber and her
She recalls walking into a physics lab for fellow scouts first had to learn about saving
her first internship and “feeling immediately money, bank accounts, the stock market,
out of place.” Determined that “no student bankruptcy and other topics. Then they
should doubt their own ability or face any offered to teach the concepts they learned to
kind of hardship because of their race or about 20 kids in an after-school program.
gender,” Samantha launched her “STEM
Up!” club. “...but the truth is that it is
After meeting with principals and the heads
easier to lose money than
of science departments at several middle to earn it.”
schools, Samantha found support and a
sponsoring science teacher at Stuart Hobson Kimber’s troop experimented with several
Middle School. She assembled materials different teaching strategies before settling
and planned activities for her club, and on a couple that they thought would be
then began holding club meetings after most effective. So, in addition to simply
school every Tuesday and Thursday. About making presentations about financial literacy
15 middle schoolers attend each two-hour to the youngsters, Kimber and the other
meeting, engaging in hands-on activities scouts played a board game with them to
such as robot-building and chemistry and emphasize the importance of saving money
biology experiments. “By creating a space and demonstrate how to use a bank account.
where African American girls feel confident They also created and performed a skit for
to ask questions and explore STEM amongst the kids, showing them how to be honest
other students that look like them, I have with their money and encouraging them to
seen their self-confidence increase, and their be respectful of their parents’ money. Kimber
ability and skills in science flourish,” said also volunteers at her church and school.
Samantha. At church, she serves as an altar server and
a member of the Children’s Choir Ministry.
“I have seen their self- She’s chief altar server at school, as well,
helping to serve at mass every Friday and at
confidence increase, and funeral masses.
their ability and skills in
science flourish.”
102018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Florida
Alexandria Brady-Mine, Paloma Rambana,
18, of Gainesville, 12, of Tallahassee,
Fla., a senior at F. W. Fla., a seventh-grader
Buchholz High School, at Maclay School,
founded nonprofit lobbied legislators, led
organizations to educate people around the rallies, gave speeches, created a website
world about human rights issues and to and generated media publicity to help
provide assistance to senior citizens in her secure $1.25 million in state funding for
community. She also is an executive director visually impaired children between the ages
of an international nonprofit dedicated to of 6 and 13. Paloma, who has a congenital
promoting acceptance, defying stereotypes eye condition that gives her fuzzy vision,
and defeating hate. Her two grandmothers uses a video magnifier to help her read
were the inspiration for her volunteer work, and see around her classroom. But when
said Alexandria. One was a single mother her magnifier broke, she wasn’t able to get
who fought to educate her children after another one because visually impaired kids in
fleeing Haiti; the other was an educator who her age group don’t get state aid for training
developed Alzheimer’s disease. and equipment outside of school, she said.
“It’s important that kids like me have the
“It became important for tools they need to be successful in school.”
me to carry on her legacy “It’s important that kids
of helping others.” like me have the tools they
When her maternal grandmother began to need to be successful...”
forget her family, “it became important
for me to carry on her legacy of helping Paloma met with dozens of state legislators,
others,” said Alexandria. “I decided the her governor and congressmen to explain the
best way to honor her would be through situation, organized two rallies in Tallahassee
helping the elderly.” She began performing and made T-shirts for the attendees, and
simple tasks for a small group of seniors, spoke to many groups about the issue.
such as cooking, washing dishes and taking She also wrote an op-ed piece for her local
care of pets. Later, she introduced various newspaper, set up a website, and recorded
technologies to help them feel less isolated a radio public service announcement. Her
and communicate more easily with family “Fund the Gap” campaign began to pay off
and friends. Alexandria’s second nonprofit, when Florida’s governor signed off on $1.25
“The Human Projects,” is addressing and million in funding, with almost half of that
raising awareness of human rights issues continuing each year. “Sometimes I get
through initiatives including two mentorship upset because I can’t see as well as other
programs and a virtual reality curriculum kids,” said Paloma, “but then I think about
for high school and college students. As how so many other kids can’t see as well as
executive director of another organization, I do, and I want to help them.”
“Redefy,” Alexandria manages an
international team of more than 100 student
volunteers and arranges grant funding
to promote social justice and positive
perspectives through school workshops
and online media.
112018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Georgia
Max Rubenstein, 18, of Angelica Krubeck,
Atlanta, Ga., a senior at 11, of Cumming, Ga.,
The Galloway School, is a member of Forsyth
the founder of “Game County 4-H and a
Givers,” a nonprofit home-schooled sixth-
that has provided thousands of new and grader, has combined two of her passions
used video games to hospitals and Ronald – science and helping kids – by providing
McDonald Houses to alleviate the pain and science kits and conducting fun workshops
boredom that sick children experience. for at-risk children in shelters, foster care
Max’s inspiration was his grandmother, a and after-school programs through “Super
video game lover who used her neon green Science Kids,” a nonprofit she founded
Gameboy to take her mind off of her pain two years ago. One day Angelica had a
while battling ovarian cancer for eight years. conversation with a friend who had once
One day, while playing video games together, lived in a homeless shelter. “She opened
“we talked about how so many kids my age up to me about her life in a shelter and how
are in children’s hospitals that don’t have the hard every day was,” she said. “I didn’t
resources for distractions like video games,” realize some kids went through this. So I
he said. decided I wanted to help.”
After his grandmother died, Max decided to After brainstorming with her family, Angelica
honor her memory by creating a charity that met with a local librarian to develop
would provide video games for sick kids. He science lessons, presented her ideas to
completed a 10-month program on how to local shelters, and sold some of her toys
start a nonprofit, and then began collecting to pay filing fees for nonprofit status. She
donations and contacting hospitals. He then established a website and a Facebook
conducted collection drives to obtain used page, designed a logo, solicited donations
games, solicited monetary donations to buy from companies that make educational
new ones, forged partnerships with video materials, and planned fundraisers. Finally,
game developers, and held fundraising she was ready to begin delivering science
events including game tournaments. In kits and organizing learning events at foster
two years, Max’s charity, “Game Givers,” organizations, shelters, and after-school
has donated more than $110,000 worth of programs. Initially, Angelica’s goal was to
games to hospitals and Ronald McDonald teach science to at-risk kids in her county,
Houses throughout Georgia, as well as in then in her state. But last summer, she and
Boston, Michigan, and Madrid, Spain. “I her family embarked on a cross-country
know how proud my grandmother is of the science tour to conduct science workshops
work I am doing,” said Max. at 15 shelters and deliver 800 science kits
to children in need. “Super Science Kids
“I know how proud my doesn’t just teach science, we also empower
kids,” Angelica said.
grandmother is of the
work I am doing.” “Super Science Kids
doesn’t just teach science,
we also empower kids.”
122018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Hawaii
Mahealani Sims-Tulba, Grace Kennedy, 13,
18, of Ewa Beach, of Kailua, Hawaii, an
Hawaii, a senior at eighth-grader at St.
Sacred Hearts Academy, Anthony School Kailua,
created a nonprofit has raised thousands of
foundation to communicate about the dollars to benefit sick and abused children as
problem of bullying to students throughout a board member of a Hawaii-based student
Hawaii. After Mahealani experienced philanthropic organization. Grace was invited
firsthand the destructive power of bullying to a meeting of the organization “Kidz For A
in the fifth grade, she wrote a book about it Cause” in 2014, and was quickly inspired to
and began using the book as a tool to reach help with the group’s fundraising. “I learned
out to other young people. “I realized that that there are many kids having a really hard
there are many others in the same situation time growing up,” she explained. “I felt bad
as me,” she said. “I wanted to spread my for the kids who are sick and abused.”
message of positivity, encouragement,
kindness and respect for others.” “I learned that there are
many kids having a really
“I wanted to spread my hard time growing up.”
message of positivity,
encouragement, kindness Grace began by selling tickets to a benefit
theater show, raising $1,000 to help buy
and respect...” clothes, toys and school books for abused
or neglected kids at the Children’s Justice
Mahealani formed her foundation, and Center on Oahu. The next year, she recruited
then started asking schools and libraries if a group of friends to help her organize
she could come and read to their kids and a celebrity chef dinner, where several of
talk about bullying. On these visits, she Hawaii’s most famous chefs provided a
distributes copies of her book, “It’s Okay to gourmet meal for 100 people. That event
Be Different,” along with silicon bracelets, generated more than $6,000 to help expand
and sometimes brings along her mascot a local hospital’s neonatal intensive care
Buddy the Bulldog. Mahealani has spoken unit. Last year, Grace led fellow volunteers
in front of thousands of elementary, middle in staging a variety concert featuring local
level and high school students statewide, singers, dancers and comedians, along
and participated in numerous community with a silent auction, that raised more
events to make both youngsters and parents than $17,000 for Ronald McDonald House
aware of bullying issues. She also created a Hawaii. “It feels great to know I helped the
music video on the subject, appeared on a kids in my community!” said Grace.
weekly television program, and conducted an
annual toy drive for children in need. By her
count, Mahealani’s “B.R.A.V.E.” campaign
(which stands for “Be Respectful and Value
Everyone”) has so far reached more than
40,000 students across Hawaii.
132018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Idaho
Anne Nygard, 17, of Ivy Harness, 12, of
Boise, Idaho, a member Nampa, Idaho, a
of Girl Scouts of Silver member of Idaho 4-H
Sage and a junior at and a home-schooled
Boise Senior High seventh-grader,
School, has collected more than 300 pairs has been a very active volunteer in her
of gently used running shoes for refugee community over the past four years, engaging
students in her city and hosted events to in a wide variety of service activities with
distribute the shoes and teach the recipients her 4-H group. Her volunteer work began
about running. Anne traces her concern for in 2013 when Ivy started going with her
refugees to an event she attended when she mother and siblings to volunteer at the Orma
was 9. “To this day, I remember the tears J. Smith Museum of Natural History at The
of many of these people from the Congo College of Idaho, where the family would do
and Vietnam as they told their stories,” she everything from shelving books to relocating
said. “Those who come here have fled specimens. Later that year, Ivy joined 4-H
horrors that we hope to never experience and eagerly took advantage of a broad array
in our lives. I believe the least we can do of new volunteer opportunities.
is be kind to them.”
Since then, Ivy has worked at 4-H day
“Those who come here camps, helped organize canned food and
sock drives for homeless shelters and
have fled horrors that we participated in a wig drive for cancer
hope to never experience patients. She’s also pulled weeds and
supervised games at a local church, sold
in our lives.” concessions at the Snake River Stampede,
A cross-country runner throughout junior high taken guinea pigs to entertain residents
and high school, Anne was well aware that at a retirement center and donated baked
distance runners go through running shoes goods for various causes. And that’s just
quickly, and then throw them into the trash. some of the ways Ivy has contributed to her
“But they are still in excellent condition community. “Through community service, I
for lighter running,” she said. Seeing an gained self-confidence,” said Ivy. “It makes
opportunity, Anne decided to start collecting me feel like maybe I can make a difference,
these slightly worn shoes and distribute like I can impact the world even if only one
them to refugees in her community. She step at a time.”
planned shoe drives and publicized them
on social media and through flyers and
advertisements that she created. She also
“It makes me feel like
contacted refugee organizations and schools maybe I can make a
with refugee programs to get them involved. difference, like I can
At the events she hosts, Anne lets refugee
kids pick out the shoes they want, explains impact the world...”
the rewards of running, and talks about the
running programs at their schools. Anne now
conducts her philanthropic activities through
her own nonprofit, “Running for Refugees.”
142018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Illinois
Kennison Adams, 18, Rosie Colucci, 13, of
of Edwardsville, Ill., a Palatine, Ill., an eighth-
senior at Edwardsville grader at Plum Grove
High School, has Junior High School, has
dedicated more than collected more than
450 community service hours over the past 60,000 toys, books, stuffed animals, games
three years to assisting people in emergency and other donations for hospitalized kids,
situations and other events as a member of and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars
the Edwardsville Fire Department Explorer to help fund research for a cure for childhood
Post. She learned about the opportunity to cancer. Rosie has spent the past decade
serve her community in that capacity at an in and out of the hospital. At 3 years old,
informational presentation in her medical she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain
careers class. “I have always had a passion tumor, neurofibromatosis and hydrocephalus,
for medicine, along with a compassion for along with other life-threatening conditions.
helping others, and this program combined During one hospitalization when she was 4,
both aspects,” said Kennison. she received so many gifts that her mother
said she couldn’t possibly take them all
“I have always had a home. So Rosie decided to give them to kids
who didn’t have any. “I wanted to bring joy to
passion for medicine, other kids in the hospital, give them a little
along with a compassion hope, cheer them up and make them feel
for helping others.” better,” she said.
In order to join the Explorer Post program, “I wanted to bring joy
Kennison had to be trained and certified to other kids in the
in CPR, first-aid and blood-borne pathogen
safety, and learn how to draw blood and hospital, give them
start IVs. Now, she makes sure fire trucks a little hope...”
and ambulances are stocked and ready
for emergency calls, rides along with first A year after her diagnosis, Rosie started
responders to assist in any way she can, “Rosie’s Toy Box” and began collecting new
and cleans up vehicles afterwards. Kennison toys in a plastic bin outside her family’s
also provides hands-on help at community front door. Before long, she was not only
events, including fire department open soliciting donations, but also raising money
houses and safety awareness presentations, for a variety of charities through bake sales,
pediatric cancer fundraisers and local lemonade stands, dance marathons, walk/
homecoming carnivals and festivals. She runs and school competitions. Rosie has
previously served as assistant chief of her shaved her head four times to raise money for
Explorer Post program. childhood cancer research. She’s asked local
businesses, schools and restaurants to host
toy drives and fundraise with her. In addition
to publicizing her efforts through flyers and
sandwich boards, Rosie uses social media to
promote her initiatives and raise awareness
about the need for pediatric cancer research.
“I’ve learned that one person can make a
difference, and that one person can be me,”
Rosie said. “I want to further research so kids
like me and my friends don’t have to die. We
need a cure now!”
152018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Indiana
Brandon Warren, 18, Vani Sharma, 11, of
of Indianapolis, Ind., a Fishers, Ind., a sixth-
senior at Warren Central grader at Sand Creek
High School, organized Intermediate School,
a citywide peace march has been visiting the
and community day in Indianapolis to Ronald McDonald House at Riley’s Children’s
stand against youth violence, following the Hospital in Indianapolis regularly for several
murder of a friend and fellow football player. years to prepare meals and entertain the
“After seeing my beloved friend helpless families of hospitalized children. She also
in the hospital bed fighting for his life, my conducted a collection drive to provide books
inspiration became very vivid,” said Brandon. and toys to the kids at the facility. Several
“I wanted it to be the start of a major change years ago, when Vani’s sister was a patient
for my generation, but I knew I had to first at the hospital, Vani and her family ate at
start to ignite change in my city.” So last the Ronald McDonald house on several
summer, Brandon formed a group called “We occasions. “Every day, volunteers
LIVE Indy” and a nonprofit called “We LIVE would prepare and serve two meals for the
Inc.” and began planning his peace walk. families,” Vani said. “After my sister
was discharged, I felt like it was my turn
“...I knew I had to first to give back.”
start to ignite change “After my sister was
in my city.” discharged, I felt like it
He formed a committee of 40 students to was my turn to give back.”
help and met with city and state officials
to gain their support. Then he did hours of On the days she volunteers at the Ronald
research on youth violence and contacted McDonald house, Vani helps her mother
experts in the field for advice. Next, he decide on the menu and goes with her
lined up sponsors, mapped a route for the to shop for groceries. She then performs
walk, gave interviews to the media and cooking tasks such as making salads and
organized food, vendors and entertainment baking cookies. They transport the food and
for the end of the march. An estimated unload it at the hospital, and serve the meal
400 people, including families that had to families. The Sharma sisters also play
been directly affected by youth violence, music during meals for the guests. “After
showed up on August 12, 2017, to march so many years of serving food there, a lot of
against violence, while cars along the route people know me by name,” said Vani. “The
pulled over to cheer them on. “Seeing all smiles on their faces and the blessings they
of the mothers of children who were lost to shower for my service has been the strongest
youth violence brought tears to my eyes,” motivation for me to continue.” Vani also has
Brandon said. “I think walking helped bring volunteered to pick up litter at a nearby park,
some closure.” Brandon is planning another and collected school supplies for children
walk in 2018, and hoping to expand the affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
organization nationwide.
162018 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS STATE HONOREES
Iowa
Kaleb Cook, 18, of Arika Hammond, 14,
Robins, Iowa, a senior at of Cherokee, Iowa,
Linn-Mar High School, an eighth-grader at
created an organization Cherokee Middle
that facilitates inclusive School, promotes
dance therapy for awareness of post-
people with special needs, and has raised traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suffered
thousands of dollars for a year-round camp by military veterans and helps raise money
for people with disabilities. After a girl with to purchase and train PTSD service dogs
Down syndrome became Kaleb’s best friend as a youth board member and ambassador
in kindergarten, he began to notice that for the Puppy Jake Foundation (PJF). For a
“people were treating her differently because project at her school, students were each
of her disability,” he said. But “our friendship given $5 to use to make someone’s life
allowed me to learn that we were more alike better. Arika chose to donate her money
than different. This opened my eyes to a to PJF in memory of a veteran friend who
whole world full of social issues surrounding had committed suicide after struggling
the population that has special needs. with PTSD. Afterward, Arika met with the
foundation’s CEO and was asked to join the
organization’s board.
“...our friendship allowed
me to learn that we were Since then, Arika has traveled around
Northwest Iowa giving speeches about
more alike than different.” PJF. In addition, she has helped raise
money for the foundation by bathing dogs
Kaleb started volunteering for organizations at a local dog grooming salon, hosting a
that promote inclusion and equality for bake sale, and collecting donations at
special needs individuals, such as Special a charity golf tournament, running a
Olympics, Best Buddies and Camp concession stand at a youth volleyball
Courageous. While volunteering at the camp, tournament, and staffing a PJF booth at
he attended a dance party and was struck the Iowa State Fair. “Each day, 22 veterans
by how easy it was for everyone to participate, commit suicide,” said Arika. “I feel that
regardless of disability. Afterward, he because of my involvement with Puppy Jake
researched dance therapy, recruited a team Foundation and what they do for veterans,
of fellow high school students, and began someday that number will decrease.”
teaching dance classes in special education
classrooms in several school districts. “I feel that because of
Then, he and his team organized their own my involvement with
dance party, which raised $3,000 for Camp
Courageous. Most recently, Kaleb has been
Puppy Jake Foundation...
working with professional dance teachers to someday that number
develop a 10-lesson online dance therapy
curriculum that could be used by students
will decrease.”
with special needs across the country.
“I have seen firsthand that individuals’
disabilities need not hold them back,” he
said. “A majority simply are not given the
opportunities they deserve.”
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