Search Begins For America's Top Youth Volunteers

Young people across America who are volunteering in their communities may apply for the sixth annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential in partnership with The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). These awards honor young people in grades 5-12 who, by performing volunteer service in the past year, have helped to make their communities better places to live. < TextStart -->

Application forms for The 2001 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards will be available through middle and high schools, Girl Scout councils, and county 4-H offices in September. Students must submit completed applications by October 31, 2000. The application is also available in the community involvement section of http://www.prudential.com, at http://www.principals.org, or by calling 1-888-450-9961. Last year, more than 20,000 students nationwide participated in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

``Many young Americans are making a big difference in their communities by helping the less fortunate, fighting substance abuse, protecting the environment, and addressing other critical needs,'' said Prudential Chairman Art Ryan. ``We created The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards to recognize these young volunteers, and to hold them up as role models for young and old alike.''

Participating middle and high schools, Girl Scout councils, and county 4-H offices across the country will be able to select and honor their top youth volunteers, and nominate them for statewide and national recognition. Two top volunteers from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will be selected as State Honorees in February 2001, and will receive $1,000, a silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., the following May for four days of recognition events. Other top honorees in each state will receive bronze medallions or Certificates of Excellence.

In May 2001, a national selection committee will name ten of the 104 State Honorees as America's top youth volunteers of the year at an awards ceremony in Washington. Each of these National Honorees will receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, and a crystal trophy for his or her school, Girl Scout council, or county 4-H organization. In addition, the ten National Honorees will have a total of $250,000 in children's products donated in their names to needy children in their communities by Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc., the national charity of the children's products industry.

``While the headlines usually dwell on a few young people gone wrong, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards has found tens of thousands of young people who are making a tremendous difference in the world,'' said Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive Director of NASSP. ``They're rolling up their sleeves, lending their hands, and showing the world the true meaning of leadership and public service. They absolutely deserve our thanks and our recognition.''

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, which is also conducted in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, is part of The Prudential Spirit of Community Initiative, a series of programs designed to help rekindle America's community spirit by encouraging young people to volunteer. In addition to the Awards, the Initiative includes a free booklet of volunteer ideas for youth; The Prudential Youth Leadership Institute, a leadership-training program for high school students; and a community service calendar with lesson plans for teachers. Young people and teachers may also be interested in ``Catch the Spirit,'' a new book featuring several past honorees of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, available in book stores this fall.

NASSP, based in Reston, Va., represents more than 46,000 secondary school principals in more than 35,000 public and private middle level and high schools. Prudential, with headquarters in Newark, N.J., is the largest life insurance company in the United States and one of the largest diversified financial institutions in the world. The company has a global presence in 30 countries, providing a variety of products and services in the areas of insurance, investments, securities and real estate to more than 30 million customers.

For more information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Initiative, please visit the community involvement section of http://www.prudential.com.

In addition to Girl Scouts of the USA and National 4-H Council, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by American Association of School Administrators; American Red Cross; America's Promise; Boy Scouts of America; Camp Fire Boys and Girls; Council of the Great City Schools; Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America; Key Club International; National Council of La Raza; National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Inc.; National Middle School Association; National School Boards Association; National School Public Relations Association; National Urban League; Points of Light Foundation; United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc.; United Synagogue Youth; YMCA of the USA; and YWCA of the USA. < TextEnd