KTLO Features

Wehmeyer Recognized for Volunteer Service

Photo courtesy of Leisa Simons, Mountain Home High School
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Mountain Home High School Career Academies Counselors’ office recognizes Jessica Wehmeyer, 18, who has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. Jessica was nominated in the fall of 2009 to be considered for this prestigious award.
The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to service their communities and their country, was presented by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Obama. Jessica participated in the Spirit of Community program this year as a representative of Mountain Home High School where she is a student.
Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities. More than 275,000 young people across America have been considered for these awards since the program began in 1995.
“The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “They truly deserve all the praise and encouragement we can give them.”
“The young people recognized by the Spirit of Community Awards demonstrate an enormous capacity for giving and reaching out to those in need,” said Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. “NASSP is proud to honor them as they are wonderful examples of the high caliber of young people in our nation’s schools today.”
Program applications were distributed last September through all public and private middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, and affiliates of HandsOn Network. After Local Honorees were names, state-level judges selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalist and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.
NASSP, based in Reston, VA., is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world.