Pennsylvania's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selectedin 13th Annual National Awards Program.

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

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.

Marco Giovengo, 18, of Wexford, a senior at North Allegheny Senior High School, volunteers and raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Marco, who has muscular dystrophy, attends many events throughout the year as a goodwill ambassador for MDA, and participates in fund-raising events for the association. In one event last year, he personally raised more than $6,000 to conduct research and send kids to MDA camps.

Molly Hritzo, 17, of Holland, a senior at Villa Joseph Marie High School, spearheaded a project to build 10 floating platforms to enhance the survivability of redbelly turtles, a threatened species, in local reservoirs. Molly also has mentored young athletes on cross-country and track and field teams, worked on numerous fund-raisers to fund pediatric cancer research, and supported an African orphanage for AIDS victims.

Elizabeth Richardson, 16, of North Wales, a junior at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School in Gwynedd Valley and a member of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania in Miquon, has for many years helped organize an annual drive to collect baby products for new mothers who cannot afford them. Elizabeth and other Girl Scout volunteers make and distribute informational flyers and donation bins, collect and sort the donations, deliver the packages to homeless shelters and community centers, and recruit other teen volunteers to help.

Alexa Schreier, 14, of Mountville, a freshman at Lancaster Mennonite High School in Lancaster, creates "Birthday in a Box" parties for children staying at the Milagro House, a transitional shelter for homeless women with children. Alexa keeps track of the children's birthdays; solicits donations of funds, gifts and party supplies from community organizations; and has delivered close to 100 of her "birthday boxes" over the past two-and-a-half years.

Hilary Schwartz, 17, of Macungie, a senior at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, co-founded a school "Breakfast Club," whose members volunteer throughout the community and raise money for a variety of charities. In addition to making and selling chocolate-covered pretzels at an annual fund-raiser, the club has conducted sing-alongs at a local retirement home, organized a games day at a Boys and Girls Club, and performed other acts of service.

Kimberly Tancredi, 18, of Chadds Ford, a senior at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Del., raised $2,000 to purchase Christmas presents and other items for more than 100 disadvantaged children at a day care center in Wilmington, Del. Kimberly collected the money through bake sales and auctions of donated prizes, then purchased toys, warm clothing and other items, and recruited a volunteer "Santa" to help distribute the gifts at the Ministry of Caring day care facility.

"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."

"Congratulations to this year's state winners in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards," stated Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. "The hard work and determination that these students have exhibited in trying to make a difference in the lives of others is remarkable."

All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Volunteer Centers, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award this past November. Nearly 4,500 Local Honorees were then reviewed by state-level judges, who selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.

While in Washington, D.C., the 102 State Honorees will tour the capital's landmarks, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. In addition, 10 of them - five middle level and five high school students - will be named National Honorees on May 5 by a prestigious national selection committee. These honorees will receive additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit, charitable organizations of their choice.

Co-chairing the national selection committee will be U.S. Senators John Kerry of Massachusetts and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, and Arthur Ryan of Prudential. Also serving on the committee will be actor Richard Dreyfuss; Alma Powell, chair of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth; Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of the Points of Light & Hands On Network; Amy B. Cohen, director of Learn and Serve America at the Corporation for National and Community Service; Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA; Donald T. Floyd Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council; Kathryn Forbes, national chair of volunteers, American Red Cross; Neil Nicoll, CEO of YMCA of the USA; Michael Cohen, president and CEO of Achieve, Inc.; Barry Stark, president of NASSP; and two 2007 Prudential Spirit of Community National Honorees: Kelly Davis of West Bath, Maine, and Kelydra Welcker of Parkersburg, W.Va.

In addition to granting its own awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program will be distributing President's Volunteer Service Awards to nearly 2,800 of its Local Honorees this year on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represent the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. The program is part of a broad youth-service initiative by Prudential that includes a youth leadership training program administered by the Points of Light & Hands On Network; a free booklet of volunteer ideas for young people offered through the Federal Citizen Information Center; and a Web site featuring profiles of outstanding youth volunteers, volunteer tips and project ideas for students, an electronic newspaper on youth volunteerism, and more (www.prudential.com/spirit). The Spirit of Community Awards program also is conducted by Prudential subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Ireland.

For information on all of this year's Prudential Spirit of Community State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists, visit www.prudential.com/spirit, or www.principals.org/prudential.

NASSP is the preeminent organization and the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders. NASSP provides its members the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders. NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well-being of youth through its programs and student leadership services. NASSP administers the National Honor Society[TM], the National Junior Honor Society[TM] and the National Association of Student Councils[TM].

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company's well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential's businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management and real estate services. For more information, visit www.prudential.com.

Editors: Graphics depicting the award program's logo and medallions may be downloaded from www.prudential.com/spirit.