Pennsylvania's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected in 12th Annual National Awards Program

Business Wire, Feb 13, 2007

Devon sisters earn $1,000 awards, engraved medallions and trip to nation's capital

Honors also bestowed on other top youth volunteers in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Molly Houlahan, 14, and Carolyn Houlahan, 12, both of Devon, today were named Pennsylvania's top two youth volunteers for 2007 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. The awards program, now in its 12th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Molly and Carolyn were nominated by Agnes Irwin School in Rosemont. As State Honorees, 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 - one middle level and one high school youth - from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for several days of national recognition events. Ten of them will be named America's top youth volunteers for 2007 at that time.

Molly, a ninth-grader at Agnes Irwin School, and Carolyn, a sixth-grader at Agnes Irwin School, started a bee-product business that has raised more than $17,000 for the American Cancer Society by selling honey, honeycomb, and beeswax candles and lip balm. Molly and Carolyn launched "Hives for Lives" three years ago after their grandfather died of throat cancer. "We wanted to do something to remember him and to make sure others would not get sick and die like he did," they said. Since they and their other grandparents shared a bee-keeping hobby and did not know what to do with all of the honey, the sisters suggested using it to fight cancer.

Molly, the CEO of the business, and Carolyn, the president, harvest honey from nine hives in Virginia at the end of the summer, and then spin, filter, bottle and label it by hand. They also make lip balm and candles from beeswax. To sell their products, Molly and Carolyn call on hospital gift shops, food stores, kitchen shops and other retail outlets; take orders on a Web site (www.hivesforlives.com); and spend many weekends at local fairs and markets. Their "jobs" also include recruiting volunteers (called "helper bees"), preparing business presentations, meeting with suppliers, and speaking at schools and hospitals. In addition, Molly runs a Hives for Lives Young Business Leaders Club at her school. "Hives for Lives will go on as long as there is cancer," said Molly. "I hope every year it will grow," added Carolyn.

In addition, the program judges recognized eight other Pennsylvania students as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion:

Kirsten Almquist, 17, of Sarver, a senior at Freeport Area Senior High School, compiled a directory of community health services to assist low-income clients of the Alle-Kiski HOPE Center and Habitat for Humanity. She also solicited monthly donations of personal hygiene products for domestic violence victims staying at the HOPE Center.

Brandy Jackson, 17, of Rydal, a senior at Abington Senior High School in Abington, developed a program called "Prom Express" that collects gently used formal dresses, tuxedos and accessories and sells them at low cost so students from low-income families can participate in formal school events. Brandy uses the proceeds from the sales to fund scholarships for deserving students.

Alessa Makuch, 18, of Danville, a senior at Danville Area High School, organized efforts to clean and restore an old cemetery in her community. Alessa recruited volunteers, removed debris and fallen trees, created a map of the cemetery, repaired and reset tombstones, and recorded and photographed the inscriptions on each stone. She then compiled all of the information she collected into a booklet for the local historical society.

Tricia Roeder, 13, of Prospect Park, an eighth-grader at Prospect Park School, has raised thousands of dollars for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by selling candy, Beanie Babies and other items in her neighborhood; writing letters to solicit donations; leading a team in a walkathon; and organizing school bake sales and raffles. She also delivered presentations about cystic fibrosis to classrooms, organized assemblies, and coordinated activities for a school-wide cystic fibrosis awareness month.

Elena Stark, 17, of Wexford, a senior at North Allegheny Senior High School, co-founded and directed a one-week day camp last summer that gave 140 children the chance to learn, have fun, and develop positive relationships with high school volunteers. The camp also enabled 35 high school students to develop leadership skills and serve as positive role models, and raised $500 for the North Allegheny Scholarship Fund.

Li Xu, 16, of Wexford, a junior at North Allegheny Senior High School, coordinated a series of events at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh to promote literacy among children in kindergarten through second grade. Her "Tell-A-Tale Theatre" program featured a different book each day, supplementary crafts, interactive activities and a healthy snack.