Nominations sought for ‘Prudential Spirit of Community Awards’

JUNEAU — The search is underway for nominations for the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which recognizes Alaska’s top youth volunteers.

Students in grades fifth through 12th are invited to apply through Nov. 4 for the 20th Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past 12 months. The application is available at spirit.prudential.com and nassp.org/spirit.

Alaska’s top youth volunteers of 2014 were Katherine Dolma, 18, of Homer and Leah Smith, 14, of Palmer.

Smith, Alaska’s top middle-level volunteer, has played an important role in her church since she was 4 years old by lending her musical and leadership talents in worship services, youth programs, vacation Bible school and the church’s nursery.

Applicants for 2015 awards must complete their online applications by Nov. 4, then submit them for certification to a middle or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA or HandsOn Network affiliate. Paper application forms can be requested by calling (877) 525-8491.

Participating schools and local organizations will select Local Honorees in early November and present them with Certificates of Achievement. These Local Honorees also will receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama if they have contributed the minimum number of volunteer hours to qualify (50 hours for age 14 and younger, 100 hours for older students).

All Local Honorees are then reviewed by a state-level judging committee, which will name the top two candidates from each state and the District of Columbia — one high school student and one middle-level student — as State Honorees on Feb. 10, 2015.