Two Maryland Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
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Former First Lady Laura Bush Pays Tribute to Young Heroes as Part of Four-Day Recognition Events
Prudential
Harold Banks, 973-802-8974 or 973-216-4833
On May 4, 8:30 am - 4 pm EDT: 202-955-1155 or -1166
Two Maryland students, Maureen McCarrick, 16, of Myersville and Haley Whitt, 12, of Olney, were honored in the nation's capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The two young people - along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country - received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from former First Lady Laura Bush at the 14th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Maureen and Haley were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Maryland last February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week's recognition events.
"The young people receiving these awards genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of others and have accomplished so much - in their own communities and around the world," said Mrs. Bush, who delivered the keynote address at last night's ceremony. "I thank and congratulate them for their outstanding volunteer work. Students with this kind of commitment and leadership ability are essential to the future of our nation."
Maureen, a sophomore at Middletown High School in Middletown, co-founded a kids' theatre troupe that stages performances every summer to benefit disabled and disadvantaged people in her community. "When my sister, my three brothers and I were little, we used to dress up in old costumes and perform skits and plays for our parents," said Maureen. "We decided that the joy and laughter we experienced could be brought to others, so we came up with the idea to perform for charity."
For the first few years, they merely invited friends and neighbors to shows in their backyard, asking them to donate canned goods for a local food bank. Each year, the productions of the Kids Theatre grew larger and more polished, with performances in recent years taking place at a town pavilion and on a high school stage. More than 30 kids are now involved in the troupe, and Maureen and her sister spend months planning the logistics and working with the cast. In addition to canned food, the troupe has raised thousands of dollars through ticket sales to purchase Christmas presents for struggling families, a service dog for a girl with muscular dystrophy, school supplies for needy children, and a bicycle for a handicapped boy. The thespians also have performed their musicals at nursing homes and daycare centers in their community. Last Christmas, Kids Theatre raised more than $2,200 to benefit three local families that recently lost their fathers, including the family of a fallen police officer. "The work I have done has allowed me to appreciate what I have, and more importantly, what I have been given," said Maureen.
Haley, a sixth-grader at Rosa Parks Middle School, organized a four-mile walk last year that raised more than $6,000 for the Montgomery Hospice Foundation, in memory of her grandmother. During her last days, Haley's grandmother was cared for at a local hospice facility. "They treated my grandma and our family with kindness and took care of us all," said Haley. "I wanted to give back to them like they did for us."
The idea to host a walk came to Haley when she and her grandfather were taking one of their many walks after her grandmother died. Haley talked it up among her friends and family, sent out hundreds of emails seeking support, and spoke to the local newspaper. With help from her brother, she tracked donations on a spreadsheet, opened a special bank account, and asked businesses to supply food, equipment, T-shirts and raffle items. Fifty-six walkers and more than 200 contributors took part in the "Walk 4 Hospice," held on a high school track on the anniversary of Haley's grandmother's death. "People who can't afford it will now have the care they need at the end of their lives because of the money raised," said Haley. "I loved my grandma very much, and I know she is proud of me."
"Maureen and Haley are inspiring examples of young Americans who care deeply about the needs of others and who have taken the initiative to help meet those needs," said John R. Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. "By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example."
Nearly 20,000 young people submitted applications for the 2009 awards program last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the Points of Light Institute's HandsOn Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state were selected in February, and were flown to Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.
Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 14 years ago by Prudential Financial, Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored nearly 90,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.
"The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is a fabulous partnership between NASSP and Prudential, allowing us to recognize the outstanding young people in our schools and communities," said NASSP President Larry Bradley. "This year's honorees exemplify the true spirit of helping others and by doing so they give America and the world a promising future, a future filled with compassion and hope."
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by the American Association of School Administrators, the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association, the Council of the Great City Schools, Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, the American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, the Points of Light Institute, and other national education and service organizations.
More information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year's honorees can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.principals.org/prudential.
In existence since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP's mission is to promote excellence in school leadership. The National Honor Society(R), National Junior Honor Society(R), National Elementary Honor Society(TM), and National Association of Student Councils(R) are all NASSP programs. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, Va., visit www.principals.org or call 703-860-0200.
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) is a financial services leader with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping approximately 50 million individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company's well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential's businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. For more information, visit www.news.prudential.com.
Former First Lady Laura Bush Pays Tribute to Young Heroes as Part of Four-Day Recognition Events
Prudential
Harold Banks, 973-802-8974 or 973-216-4833
On May 4, 8:30 am - 4 pm EDT: 202-955-1155 or -1166
Two Maryland students, Maureen McCarrick, 16, of Myersville and Haley Whitt, 12, of Olney, were honored in the nation's capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The two young people - along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country - received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from former First Lady Laura Bush at the 14th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Maureen and Haley were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Maryland last February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week's recognition events.
"The young people receiving these awards genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of others and have accomplished so much - in their own communities and around the world," said Mrs. Bush, who delivered the keynote address at last night's ceremony. "I thank and congratulate them for their outstanding volunteer work. Students with this kind of commitment and leadership ability are essential to the future of our nation."
Maureen, a sophomore at Middletown High School in Middletown, co-founded a kids' theatre troupe that stages performances every summer to benefit disabled and disadvantaged people in her community. "When my sister, my three brothers and I were little, we used to dress up in old costumes and perform skits and plays for our parents," said Maureen. "We decided that the joy and laughter we experienced could be brought to others, so we came up with the idea to perform for charity."
For the first few years, they merely invited friends and neighbors to shows in their backyard, asking them to donate canned goods for a local food bank. Each year, the productions of the Kids Theatre grew larger and more polished, with performances in recent years taking place at a town pavilion and on a high school stage. More than 30 kids are now involved in the troupe, and Maureen and her sister spend months planning the logistics and working with the cast. In addition to canned food, the troupe has raised thousands of dollars through ticket sales to purchase Christmas presents for struggling families, a service dog for a girl with muscular dystrophy, school supplies for needy children, and a bicycle for a handicapped boy. The thespians also have performed their musicals at nursing homes and daycare centers in their community. Last Christmas, Kids Theatre raised more than $2,200 to benefit three local families that recently lost their fathers, including the family of a fallen police officer. "The work I have done has allowed me to appreciate what I have, and more importantly, what I have been given," said Maureen.
Haley, a sixth-grader at Rosa Parks Middle School, organized a four-mile walk last year that raised more than $6,000 for the Montgomery Hospice Foundation, in memory of her grandmother. During her last days, Haley's grandmother was cared for at a local hospice facility. "They treated my grandma and our family with kindness and took care of us all," said Haley. "I wanted to give back to them like they did for us."
The idea to host a walk came to Haley when she and her grandfather were taking one of their many walks after her grandmother died. Haley talked it up among her friends and family, sent out hundreds of emails seeking support, and spoke to the local newspaper. With help from her brother, she tracked donations on a spreadsheet, opened a special bank account, and asked businesses to supply food, equipment, T-shirts and raffle items. Fifty-six walkers and more than 200 contributors took part in the "Walk 4 Hospice," held on a high school track on the anniversary of Haley's grandmother's death. "People who can't afford it will now have the care they need at the end of their lives because of the money raised," said Haley. "I loved my grandma very much, and I know she is proud of me."
"Maureen and Haley are inspiring examples of young Americans who care deeply about the needs of others and who have taken the initiative to help meet those needs," said John R. Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. "By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example."
Nearly 20,000 young people submitted applications for the 2009 awards program last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the Points of Light Institute's HandsOn Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state were selected in February, and were flown to Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.
Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 14 years ago by Prudential Financial, Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored nearly 90,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.
"The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is a fabulous partnership between NASSP and Prudential, allowing us to recognize the outstanding young people in our schools and communities," said NASSP President Larry Bradley. "This year's honorees exemplify the true spirit of helping others and by doing so they give America and the world a promising future, a future filled with compassion and hope."
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by the American Association of School Administrators, the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association, the Council of the Great City Schools, Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, the American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, the Points of Light Institute, and other national education and service organizations.
More information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year's honorees can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.principals.org/prudential.
In existence since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP's mission is to promote excellence in school leadership. The National Honor Society(R), National Junior Honor Society(R), National Elementary Honor Society(TM), and National Association of Student Councils(R) are all NASSP programs. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, Va., visit www.principals.org or call 703-860-0200.
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) is a financial services leader with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping approximately 50 million individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company's well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential's businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. For more information, visit www.news.prudential.com.
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