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

Business Wire, Feb 12, 2008

Wilmington and Delmar students earn $1,000 awards, engraved medallions and trip to nation's capital

Honors also bestowed on other top youth volunteers in Delaware

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

DOVER, Del. -- Anna Schuck, 17, of Wilmington and Matthew Waldman, 14, of Delmar today were named Delaware'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).

Anna was nominated by The Charter School of Wilmington in Wilmington, and Matthew was nominated by St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Salisbury, Md. 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.

Anna, a senior at The Charter School of Wilmington, founded a school club that has raised nearly $15,000 to help build a boys school in Uganda by organizing benefit rock concerts. The H.U.G. Club (for "Helping the Underprivileged Globally") was launched after Anna saw a documentary about the horrific effects of a 21-year civil war in northern Uganda. "I couldn't bear to watch the injustices taking place before me," said Anna. "Why was no one doing anything? How could we sit back and watch millions of people suffer and do nothing?"

While Anna's club has worked on several projects, its biggest undertaking was "Rock Uganda," a series of seven concerts featuring more than 40 rock bands. For each show, Anna secured the venue, recruited the performers, distributed promotional flyers, obtained donations from local businesses, and enlisted a large group of young volunteers to help at the event. With more than 300 youth attending each concert, the shows have raised $14,500 to provide dormitories, sanitation facilities, teachers, books and other necessities for the Sir Samuel Baker Secondary School in Uganda. And many more people have been made aware of the strife in Uganda and the plight of children there, according to Anna.

Matthew, an eighth-grader at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, organized and participated in a variety of volunteer activities benefiting his school, community, the Salvation Army and the Humane Society. "I believe in serving my community, looking at the global picture and helping those who are reaching out for help and who are in need," Matthew said.

Instead of celebrating his last two birthdays with parties and presents, Matthew organized and hosted a student dance, asking attendees to donate food and care items for lost, abandoned and neglected animals residing at a local Humane Society shelter. "I felt it was important because the animals are helpless," he said. Matthew also worked an entire weekend serving food at a charity antique show, solicited donations as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, purchased Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children, and participated in the Humane Society's annual fund-raising walk. "I learned that there is so much in this world that is so wrong and we all need to help each other," he said. "You have a say in what happens in this world. You can either help it or hurt it. Don't be afraid to go out there and help others."

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

Alexandra Browne, 17, of Wilmington, a senior at Mount Pleasant High School, has served as chair of her school's Relay for Life fund-raising event for the past two years, which raised more than $60,000 for cancer research, education and patient support. Alexandra worked the entire school year on the fund-raisers, holding planning meetings, making presentations at school assemblies, overseeing committees, seeking support from local businesses and organizations and recruiting event volunteers and team members.

Taylor Folt, 16, of Wilmington, a junior at Brandywine High School, spent a month last summer teaching English and American History to elementary-school students in a small town in India. She also helped build a basketball court and install a roof on an outdoor bathroom, taught children Western playground and card games, mentored and encouraged young girls, and worked to promote positive cultural interactions and friendship.

"Over the past 13 years, we've seen an incredible number of young Americans who have selflessly devoted their time and energy to helping others in their communities," said Arthur F. Ryan, chairman of Prudential Financial. "The volunteer work of this year's honorees is as inspiring as any we've seen, and we are honored to recognize the amazing contributions they've made to their neighborhoods, cities and nation."