Phoebe Lockhart, 18, of Ogallala and Audrey Worthing, 13, of Elm Creek
today were named Nebraska's top two youth volunteers of 2014 by The
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring
young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Phoebe was nominated
by Ogallala High School in Ogallala, and Audrey was nominated by Elm
Creek Schools in Elm Creek. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards,
now in its 19th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in
partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals
(NASSP).
Phoebe, a senior at Ogallala High School, chaired a fundraising campaign
that collected $135,000 to turn a rundown lecture hall at her school
into a state-of-the-art performing arts center. The school’s lecture
hall had not been renovated for more than 40 years. “The population and
tax base in our small rural community had declined over the years,” said
Phoebe, “and the school system was unable to afford the needed updates.”
In the fall of 2011, the school’s Interact Club decided to take on the
project, and Phoebe volunteered to lead the fundraising effort.
Under Phoebe’s leadership, the club produced publicity materials, made
presentations to local organizations, and sponsored events such as
school dances and a “Battle of the Bands” concert. A primary focus of
the campaign was to persuade local businesses and community members to
sponsor new seats for the auditorium, in exchange for a personalized
plaque on the back of each sponsored seat. Phoebe also applied for and
received seven grants totaling $15,000. In less than a year, enough
money had been raised to replace the lecture hall’s seats, curtains,
carpeting and sound equipment, and to make the facility
handicapped-accessible. It’s now a beautiful, comfortable venue for
concerts, assemblies and community events. “I learned that a small town
can be powerful, and that a little faith in my generation unleashes a
contagious will to achieve,” said Phoebe.
Audrey, a seventh-grader at Elm Creek High School, serves as one of the
first junior volunteers at the National Audubon Society’s Rowe Sanctuary
in south-central Nebraska, where she helps preserve and educate others
about an ecosystem that’s a major roosting site for the majestic
Sandhill Crane. “For as long as I can remember, I have loved the
Sandhill Cranes!” said Audrey. Her house is on the birds’ migration
path, and every year she has the good fortune to watch as thousands fly
over her home on the way to nesting grounds in Canada, Alaska and
Siberia. “I always know that spring is around the corner when the sky
becomes filled with thousands of birds,” she said. “Last year I decided
it was time to get out of the audience and join the show!”
With her mother’s encouragement, Audrey put together a resume and sought
an interview at the Rowe Sanctuary, which she had been visiting for
years with her parents. The sanctuary created the title of “junior
volunteer” for her, and “my adventure began,” she said. Now in her
second year at the sanctuary, Audrey spends time each month educating
visitors about the Platte River and its wildlife. During the crane
migration season, she helps teach a weekend class called Crane 101. “One
of the most challenging things about volunteering was making sure I had
all my facts straight,” said Audrey. “Some of the visitors are serious
‘birders.’” She also works on river and trail cleanup projects, and
helps with housekeeping at the sanctuary’s visitor center. “I am having
the time of my life!” said Audrey.
As State Honorees, Phoebe and Audrey each will receive $1,000, an
engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to
Washington, D.C., where they will join the top two honorees from each of
the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national
recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America’s
top youth volunteers of 2014.
Distinguished Finalists
The program judges also recognized two other Nebraska students as
Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service
activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion.
These are Nebraska's Distinguished Finalists for 2014:
Morgan Coil, 18, of Omaha, Neb., a senior at Millard West High
School, has served the past two years as president of her school’s “40
Assets Club,” a leadership and service club. As president, Morgan plans
the majority of activities, including an in-depth mentoring program to
help children at the Hope Center for Kids develop character and social
skills.
Jessie Harris, 16, of Kearney, Neb., a junior at Kearney High
School, is an active volunteer with a number of organizations including
the historic Frank House at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, the
World Theatre and the Buffalo County Historical Society. In addition to
serving as a tour guide, working the concession stand and conducting
small repair projects, Jessie and a friend co-authored a book on her
town’s historic homes with the proceeds going to benefit the UNK Frank
House and the historical society.
“We applaud each of these young people for their exemplary volunteer
service,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “They use
their time and talents to make a meaningful difference in their
communities, and we hope their example inspires others to do the same.”
“By going above and beyond in their volunteer service, these students
have brought positive change to communities across the country,” said
JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. “Congratulations to each
and every one of them on this well-deserved honor.”
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.
These 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 5, 10 of the State Honorees –
five middle level and five high school students – will be named
America’s top youth volunteers of 2014. 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, India and China. 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.
For information on all of this year’s Prudential Spirit of Community
State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists, visit http://spirit.prudential.com
or www.nassp.org/spirit.
About NASSP
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the
leading organization of and national voice for middle level and high
school principals, assistant principals, and all school leaders from
across the United States and more than 36 countries around the world.
The association connects and engages school leaders through advocacy,
research, education, and student programs. NASSP advocates on behalf of
all school leaders to ensure the success of each student and strengthens
school leadership practices through the design and delivery of high
quality professional learning experiences. Reflecting its long-standing
commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National
Honor Society, National
Junior Honor Society, National
Elementary Honor Society, and National
Association of Student Councils. For more information about
NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.nassp.org.
About Prudential Financial
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has
operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping
individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth
through a variety of products and services, including life insurance,
annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment
management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for
strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century.
For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com.
Editors: For full-color pictures of the Spirit of Community Awards
program logo and medallions, click here: http://bit.ly/Xi4oFW
Copyright Business Wire 2014