The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program today named an Iowa student as one of America's top ten youth volunteers for 2011 at the 16th annual national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Honored as a National Honoree was:
Sarah Cronk, 18, of Bettendorf, co-founded a cheerleading squad at her high school that includes students with disabilities, and then formed a nonprofit corporation that encourages teens across the country to start similar squads at their schools.
Also recognized during the four-day celebration as an Iowa State Honoree was:
Jungah Kelly Lee, 14, of West Des Moines, organized a small group of youth and adult volunteers to clean up trash once a week in her neighborhood in order to make it safer and more attractive.
As a National Honoree, Sarah received a personal award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a crystal trophy for her school and a $5,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation for the nonprofit charitable organization of her choice. State Honorees received awards of $1,000 and engraved silver medallions. Both students received an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week's recognition events. At last night's event the two students received personal congratulations from Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon.
About the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community of Awards, the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer service, was created in 1995 by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The program serves to honor young people who are committed to making a positive difference and to inspire others to consider how they can also contribute to their communities and the world.
