Valley youth wins ‘Prudential Spirit of Community Award’

PALMER — It’s perhaps the nature of teens and pre-teens to be a touch self-absorbed, but not Colony Middle School eighth-grader Leah Smith.

It was in fact her generous spirit and hefty tally of volunteer hours that turned judges’ heads in the annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, which recognized her as one of Alaska’s top two youth volunteers of 2014.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Now in its 19th year, the recognition is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Colony Middle School Principal Mary McMahon said she nominated Smith for the honor because of her consistent involvement in her community at school and beyond.

“She sees beyond herself,” her principal said. “She’s thinking about how to better her school and community.”

McMahon said it’s unusual for someone so young to be so concerned with the needs of others.

“She’s just got that big, kind heart,” McMahon said. “Her parents instilled those core values. We’re just reaping the benefits.”

As a State Honoree, Smith will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip May 3-6 to Washington, D.C., where she 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 2014.

Smith said she’s thrilled to receive the award and excited about the prizes that come with it for a couple of reasons. First the trip to Washington, D.C., will mean she and her mother — Courtney Brooks Smith, who will travel with her — have an opportunity to see family members they haven’t had a chance to visit in five years.

Second, the prize money included with the award means Smith will need to do a lot less fundraising to attend Sitka Fine Arts Camp this summer.

In honoring her, Prudential highlighted her skills as a pianist, but the teen also plays steel drums, percussion, sings, dances and acts. Voice was her first instrument. She began singing with her church at the age of 4 and took up piano at age 5.

“Before long, she was leading adults in song and other musical activities, and playing piano during the main worship service,” according to the press release announcing the award.

Smith said she’d planned to earn her way to camp accompanying high school students on the piano, which she’s being doing since she was a sixth-grader.

“I play a lot of complicated stuff,” she said of the piano.

As an eighth-grader, Smith also has earned a slot playing the No. 1 bass drum in the Colony High School Marching Band, which performed in the 2014 Tournament of Roses Parade.

Smith also participates in drama at CMS, National Junior Honor Society and the honors society for music, called Modern Music Masters.

Smith will be recognized by Prudential at a school board meeting this spring.

Also recognized as part of the 19th annual awards program was Colony High School senior Ellie Hakari, 17, who was named a Distinguished Finalist.

She raised nearly $3,000 to purchase and install outdoor exercise equipment at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer in honor of her friend Twila, who was a resident there. Hakari will receive an engraved bronze medallion.

Contact Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@frontiersman.com.