Pennsylvania's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected in 13th Annual National Awards Program

Business Wire, Feb 12, 2008

Lock Haven and Lewisberry students earn $1,000 awards, engraved medallions and trip to nation's capital

Honors also bestowed on other top youth volunteers in Pennsylvania

U.S. Senators John Kerry and Chuck Hagel to co-chair judging panel that will pick 10 National Honorees in May

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Kristin Brandt, 17, of Lock Haven and Sean McAdam, 13, of Lewisberry today were named Pennsylvania's top two youth volunteers for 2008 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. The awards program, now in its 13th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Kristin was nominated by Central Mountain High School in Mill Hall, and Sean was nominated by Allen Middle School in Camp Hill. 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 2008 at that time.

Kristin, a senior at Central Mountain High School, initiated a 16-month project to build a modular home and haul it 1,200 miles to Mississippi, where it was presented to an 80-year-old woman who had lost everything to Hurricane Katrina. After the storm receded, Kristin was impressed by all of the food, water, clothing and medical supplies that were being donated for the victims, but began to wonder about their long-term needs. "Where would all these people live after the television cameras and media saturation disappeared?" she asked. "It was then that I began to think how I could help make a difference."

After obtaining approval from her school district, Kristin recruited a faculty advisor and formed a school club called "Homes of Hope." She sent out nearly 1,000 letters soliciting help from every business, civic organization and religious group in her county, delivered speeches at community meetings, and caught the attention of local news media. As contributions began to trickle in, she organized a holiday concert, football ticket raffles, "Teacher Dress-Down Days," and other fund-raising events.

With more than $20,000 in hand, as well as donated materials and services from many businesses, Kristin and her club's vice president recruited 20 students from her school's vocational program to help them construct a two-bedroom house on the high school grounds. When it was finished, a local company offered to transport the new home to Pass Christian, Miss. "We watched as this home was set on its new foundation," said Kristin. "It was overwhelming to see the gratitude as I handed Mrs. Ashley the keys to her new home."

Sean, 13, of Lewisberry, Pa., an eighth-grader at Allen Middle School, has helped his adoptive family nurture and mentor more than 100 foster children in their home since he was a young boy. Sean was a foster child until adopted at the age of 3. "I now have this great life and owe it all to foster care and this wonderful family," he said. "Foster kids need a lot of love and attention, and I am happy that I can contribute some of this to them."

When new foster children come into his home, Sean tries to figure out their unique needs and challenges, and then works to befriend them and gain their trust so that they'll feel comfortable talking about their problems. "I let them know they can count on me for help and leadership when things get tough," he said. He eagerly shares his time and possessions with his foster brothers and sisters, and always remembers how important it is to serve as a good role model for them. In addition, Sean asks his peers at school and on his baseball and football teams to accept and include his foster siblings in their activities. "No child should go without someone who cares for them, loves them, and wants to teach them right from wrong," Sean said. "I am looking forward to working with many more foster kids, and I am excited about the challenges they bring."

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:

Peter Croke, 18, of Bethel Park, a senior at Seton-La Salle Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, was inspired to raise money for several charities benefiting sick and disabled children after a neighbor girl died from a brain tumor at the age of 15. Peter spearheads an annual Christmas poinsettia fund-raising sale, donates wages earned from a holiday job, and collects pop can tabs in order to support a Ronald McDonald House, the Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania, and Caring For Kids: The Carrie Martin Fund.

Rachel Ford, 17, of Jenkintown, a senior at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, coordinates a group at her school that visits and conducts projects for a homeless shelter for mentally ill women in Philadelphia. Rachel, who has expanded the group from three to 21 members, plans an annual Christmas party at the shelter, organizes drives to collect items needed by the residents, and writes grant proposals to obtain funds for the shelter.