Youth Volunteer Awards Program Seeks Participants

Starting today, Moorpark’s young volunteers have the opportunity to take part in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, which searches for America’s top volunteers in 5th through twelfth grades.

Now in its 17th year, these awards, presented nationwide by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, have been given to 7,544 middle and high school students across California for helping the less fortunate, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, and serving their communities through many other volunteer activities.

This year, Blakely Colvin, 17, of Solvang, and Tyler Page, 14, of Brentwood, were named California's top youth volunteers. The State Honorees received $1,000 awards, engraved silver medallions, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Colvin was honored for launching a nonprofit charity for sick children by baking and selling cupcakes. Page started an enterprise to help end slavery in Ghana and wsa named one of the program’s 10 National Honorees for 2011.

Volunteers can apply online on Prudential or the NASSP websites. Applications must be completed by Nov. 1 and then be submitted to a middle or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA, or affiliate of the HandsOn Network. A paper version of the application form is also available by calling 877-525-8491.