Two Alabama Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C

Business Wire, May 5, 2008

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Pays Tribute to Young Heroes as Part of Four-Day Recognition Events

WASHINGTON -- Two Alabama students, Diedre Graham, 17, of Mobile and Jake Martin, 13, of Birmingham were honored in the nation's capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The two young people - along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country - received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, at the 13th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

Diedre and Jake were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Alabama last February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week's recognition events.

Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 13 years ago by Prudential Financial, Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored more than 80,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

"Diedre and Jake are inspiring examples of young Americans who care deeply about the needs of others and who have taken the initiative to help meet those needs," said Prudential Chairman Arthur F. Ryan. "By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example."

Diedre, a junior at Murphy High School and a member of the Alabama Cooperative Extension 4-H, produced and starred in a dance benefit entitled "IMAGINE Me: Image in Me" to raise awareness among teenage girls about body image and self-esteem. "This project was born after I encountered a negative experience as a ballerina of color and was denied an opportunity to perform a 'pointe' role because of my 'body type,'" said Diedre. When other girls with the same body type, but different skin color, were cast in pointe roles, Diedre decided to stage her own production and send a message that "regardless of how you look and what people say, be who you are and be the best 'you' possible," she said. "What an exciting way to overcome my personal pain by channeling it into something positive."

Diedre secured a venue for the event, recruited 28 African-American dancers, selected costumes, and choreographed a program that included ballet, jazz, pointe and African dance. She then scheduled months of rehearsals; promoted the production with flyers, brochures, mailings, and an article in a local newspaper; and prepared a PowerPoint presentation based on research into girls' body image and self-esteem. More than 300 people attended Diedre's benefit, which raised over $2,000 to support a local YWCA chapter and to provide scholarships to a nonprofit dance studio. "When I began, I was hurting, and doubting my self-worth and value. The fact that I contributed to a positive message about myself and girls who look like me made me feel even more proud," said Diedre.

Jake, a seventh-grader at Highlands School, has volunteered for the past three summers at Mitchell's Place, a summer school for children with special needs. "I have two brothers who are autistic, and one of them goes to summer school at Mitchell's Place," said Jake. "After seeing how disadvantaged my brothers are, I began to think: How could I help?" Then he heard that teachers at the school were looking for volunteers. "I figured that if they needed help, I would give it to them," Jake said.

Initially, the teachers gave Jake simple assignments such as handing out snacks. But Jake wanted to do more, and soon was spending eight hours each day helping the children paint, draw, read, participate in sports and playground activities, play musical instruments, and do math. Jake even recruited some of his friends to volunteer. "What I got out of my work was a greater ability to help special-needs children excel. I learned that no matter how hard something is, you can do it - no matter what," said Jake, who is looking forward to volunteering at Mitchell's Place again next summer.

Applications for the 2008 awards program were submitted last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Volunteer Centers affiliated with the Points of Light & Hands On Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state and the District of Columbia were announced in February. These 102 State Honorees are in Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.

Ten of the 102 were named America's top ten youth volunteers for 2008 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters today. These National Honorees received additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies for the schools that nominated them, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for charities of their choice. [The ceremony can be viewed at www.prudential.com/spirit.]