Two Nevada Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Two Nevada students, Daniel Edmondson, 16, of Boulder City and Nicolas Paris, 14, of Las Vegas, 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 14^th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

Daniel and Nicolas were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Nevada 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.”

Daniel, a junior at Boulder City High School, coordinates volunteer activities for more than 100 teenagers in a youth organization he created to promote community service and find local opportunities for young volunteers. Daniel’s group, called "Teens Actively Contributing” or TAC, grew out of his own extensive volunteering experience. "During my volunteering at numerous facilities, I discovered a tremendous need for additional volunteers,” he said. At first he simply recruited his friends to join him, but then envisioned a formal organization that could match teens to volunteer opportunities on a regular basis.

Daniel described his idea at a meeting of over 100 community leaders, and conducted a needs assessment to determine how many local organizations could use volunteers. He then spent days in front of banks and grocery stores passing out fliers to teens and their parents. A local assisted-living facility offered him meeting space, and at TAC’s first meeting, more than 30 teenagers showed up. Since then, Daniel’s group has expanded to over 100 young volunteers, and many organizations have requested volunteer help, including Boulder City’s government, schools, hospital, library, Chamber of Commerce, and the National Park Service. "TAC serves as a bridge between the generations, connecting community leaders with teenagers and ultimately building a stronger, more united community,” said Daniel.

Nicolas, an eighth-grader at Silvestri Junior High School, has turned his love of football into a series of community service projects benefiting senior citizens, veterans, and disadvantaged kids. One day, after encountering an old man in a wheelchair, Nicolas realized that many senior citizens need something to brighten their days. So he arranged for residents of a local senior home to attend one of his team’s football games, and presented them with team jerseys and hats autographed by his fellow team members. Later, Nicolas organized a team trip to a veterans home in Boulder City. After eating lunch with the retired servicemen, the team gave them an autographed football and helmet, and Nicolas delivered a "thank you” speech.

Turning his attention to the plight of needy youngsters, Nicolas and his little brother started a drive to collect used football cleats for kids who couldn’t afford to buy them. They advertised their "Kleets for Kids” campaign, placed a large donation bin at the football field on every game day, and refurbished the shoes they collected. Nicolas also volunteered to serve as a ball boy for a high school football team, assist a former teacher with a number of classroom tasks, tutor younger students in math and reading, and wash the windows of police cars. "I have an amazing life and have always wanted others to enjoy life, as I do, but I knew that wouldn’t happen if I stepped back like so many others and only watched,” said Nicolas.

"Daniel and Nicolas 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®, National Junior Honor Society®, National Elementary Honor Society™, and National Association of Student Councils® 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.

[Editors: full-color pictures of the Spirit of Community Awards program logo and medallions are available at http://spirit.prudential.com.]

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