Since the inception of the SPCHS Leadership Program, students have been encouraged to develop a civic-minded spirit and get involved in their communities. One SPCHS senior, Taylor Ballard, has made a significant contribution impacting her fellow teens and patients through her service as a member of the Hospice Teen Leadership Board and as a Hospice volunteer.
Taylor’s service qualified her for The 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards’ “President’s Volunteer Service Award.” Taylor was selected from a talented and dedicated group of volunteers to be considered for state-level recognition in The 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. While Taylor was not selected for one of the state-level honors this year, she was recognized for her community service.
In their recognition letter, John Strangfeld, Chairman & CEO, Prudential Financial, and JoAnn Bartoletti, Executive Director of NASSP, stated “[How] impressed [they] were with the commitment and energy [Taylor] displayed in [her] volunteer activities.”
Although not honored at the state-level, Taylor impressed the Award judges and, in acknowledgment of her volunteer activities (based on the number of volunteer hours indicated in her application last fall), Taylor will receive the “President’s Volunteer Service Award!” The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation sent Taylor’s Award certificate, along with a letter from the president, to SPCHS which was presented to Taylor at the SPCHS Junior and Senior Awards Program on May 5.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards byline is Honoring Outstanding Community Service by Young Americans. At SPCHS, we are so proud that our students are providing an exemplary example of this commitment. The award letter included the following quote:
“Especially at this time in our nation’s history, Americans of all ages need to think more about how we, as individual citizens, can make a positive difference in our communities. Young volunteers like yourself (Taylor) are inspiring examples to all of us, and are one of the brightest hopes for a better tomorrow.”
We could not agree more. Congratulations, Taylor!