Marquette Catholic High School senior, Brendan Robson, the son of Mr.& Mrs. Douglas Robson, has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a state-level Certificate of Excellence from the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Brendan was nominated for this award by Marquette Catholic High School.
Presented annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people across America for outstanding community service activities.
Brendan earned his award by planning and coordinating a mission trip of almost thirty classmates and chaperones to Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, Florida.
Give Kids the World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids the World Village for as long as there is a need.
Over 115,000 children have had their dream come true at Give Kids the World. No child in need has ever been turned away – and no child ever will. Give Kids the World is a place where families find joy, laughter, serenity, and a lifetime of memories. Through the tireless support of volunteers, employees and generous partners, GKTW dedicate each and every day to these special families.
Principal James G. White states, “I am very proud of Brendan for what he was able to accomplish by planning this trip. He had a hand in changing lives and not a lot of us can say that. He has taken what he has learned here at Marquette Catholic and put it into action.”
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, now in its 18th year, also recognizes the top middle level and high school volunteer in each state and District of Columbia, and will name America’s top ten youth volunteers in May. More than 370,000 young people have been considered for these awards since the program’s inception in 1995, making it the nation’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer service.
“The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “In recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer service activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community.”
“Demonstrating civic responsibility through community volunteerism is an important part of life,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “These Honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”
Program applications were distributed last September to all public and private middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organization, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, and affiliates of HandsOn Network. After local Honorees were named, state-level judges selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, organization, effort, impact, and personal growth.
NASSP, based in Reston, Virginia, 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. Prudential Financial, based in Newark, New Jersey, provides more than 50 million individual and institutional customers worldwide with life insurance annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services.