NEWS RELEASE # 68
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2013
North Student Named Top Middle School Volunteer
Estefania Martinez is one of America’s most outstanding youth volunteers. The North Middle School Health Sciences and Technology Campus student is one of 102 in the nation to receive the prestigious honor through The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
The nationwide program honors young people for exemplary acts of volunteerism. The awards program, now in its 18th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
The 13-year-old seventh-grader has been an avid volunteer at her school and at a local mental health facility for the past two years. Estefania was inspired to get involved after seeing the Red Cross spring into action to help people during times of crisis. "My favorite thing is to do volunteer hours," said Estefania. "People really need your time."
She started by helping kindergarteners and first graders with their homework on a regular basis. Then Estefania made herself available to school officials to help with events such as back-to-school nights, parent coffees and parent-teacher conferences. She says volunteering will always be a part of her life.
As a state honoree, Estefania will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C. for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, ten state honorees will be named America’s top youth volunteers for 2013.
“Prudential is proud to honor these students for making meaningful contributions to their communities,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “We hope that shining a spotlight on their initiative, creativity and compassion inspires others to consider how they, too, can make a difference.”
About The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and HandsOn Network affiliates, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Nearly 5,000 Local Honorees were then reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.
While in Washington, D.C., the 102 State Honorees – one middle level and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia – will tour the capital’s landmarks, meet top youth volunteers from other parts of the world, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. On May 6, 10 of the State Honorees – five middle level and five high school students – will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2013. These National 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.
Since the program began in 1995, more than 100,000 young volunteers have been honored at the local, state and national level. The program also is conducted by Prudential subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland and India. In addition to granting its own awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program also distributes President’s Volunteer Service Awards to qualifying Local Honorees on behalf of President Barack Obama.
###
Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information
