Delaware's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected in 21st Annual National Awards Program

Micah Freer, 18, of Wilmington and Will Kenney, 13, of Delmar today were named Delaware's top two youth volunteers of 2016 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Micah was nominated by Mount Sophia Academy in Newark, and Will was nominated by Millsboro Middle School in Millsboro. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 21st year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Micah, a senior at Mount Sophia Academy, spearheaded a yearlong effort to build a pavilion to be used by church, school and community groups, and by families and individuals who hike, bike and jog at an adjacent state park. In search of a project that would have a lasting impact on his community, Micah brainstormed with officials at his church and came up with the idea of building a pavilion where people could meet, sit and talk. At first, Micah questioned whether the project might be too large an undertaking for a teen. But he decided to go ahead after considering how many people could benefit from it.

To begin, Micah drew up designs of the pavilion and began applying for permits from the city. He recruited volunteer engineers to review and give feedback on his plans, asked professional drafters to make blueprints, and consulted construction experts to ensure that the structure would be built correctly. Then Micah started fundraising, writing letters to individuals and businesses seeking money, materials and discounts. When it was time to begin construction, Micah got hands-on help from 50 volunteers, including church members, Boy Scouts, friends and family. The total cost of building the 18-by-24-foot pavilion was a little over $15,000. “The pavilion was made with steel and quality materials, so it will last for decades,” said Micah. “Every time I see it being used, it brings a smile to my face.”

Will, an eighth-grader at Millsboro Middle School, organized two carnivals that raised more than $15,000 to help fund medical research and benefit patients who have Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. A little girl he knows who has the disease inspired Will’s project. “I decided to have a carnival with activities for all ages so that she could enjoy the fun,” he said. After the first “Will’s Carnival for a Cause” in August 2014 was a success, Will was more determined than ever to raise money and the public’s awareness of Sturge-Weber with a more elaborate carnival.

For his second carnival last September, Will gathered a core group of seven volunteers to help him plan. As chairman of the event, he organized monthly meetings, wrote emails and letters soliciting donations for game prizes and a silent auction, asked businesses to donate food and other items, and recruited fellow football players to help with logistics. In addition to the auction and 23 games, the event included three rides, a petting zoo, food and refreshments, a “dunking booth” featuring football coaches and a county councilman, and an appearance by Miss Delaware. To help people understand more about Sturge-Weber syndrome, Will distributed literature at the carnival and posted information on social media. Most of all, the experience taught him the value of teamwork, said Will. “One person cannot move a mountain, but a village can,” he said.

As State Honorees, Micah and Will 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 2016.

Distinguished Finalists

The program judges also recognized two other Delaware students as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion.

These are Delaware's Distinguished Finalists for 2016:

Jayna Lennon, 17, of Newark, Del., a senior at The Charter School of Wilmington, recruited and led a team of family and friends to an almost $9,000 fundraising tally to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Jayna, who was one of 12 teens accepted into the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Student of the Year Campaign, had six weeks to put together her team, create fundraising materials, build a website and secure donations to support the program.

Jane Lyons, 15, of Wilmington, Del., a freshman at Ursuline Academy, co-founded “Youth Overcoming Obstacles” to help improve the lives of teens resettling into society after incarceration, and to reduce recidivism. Jane, who co-founded the program with her brother, has collected and donated business clothing appropriate for job interviews, organized a book drive and a Christmas stocking project, and raised $9,000 to support the project through events including a “Guest Ice-Cream Scooper Night,” “Guest Bartender Night” and “Freedom 5K Race.”

“Prudential commends each of these young volunteers for using their creativity and compassion to bring positive change to their communities,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “We hope their stories inspire others to consider how they can make a difference, too.”

“We are pleased to honor these students not only for their exemplary acts of service, but for the powerful example they’ve set for their peers,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. “Congratulations to each of the 2016 honorees.”

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 2, 10 of the State Honorees – five middle level and five high school students – will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2016. 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 115,000 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, China and Brazil. 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 voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 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

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