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

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two Arkansas students, Abigail Gates, 18, of Clinton and Leyton Gassaway, 13, of Paragould, were honored in the nation’s capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2011 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 Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon at the 16^th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

“They possess a keen intellect, servant hearts, capable leadership skills, and are filled with energy and ambition. NASSP and Prudential are honored to recognize them.”

Abigail and Leyton were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Arkansas 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.

“The Prudential Spirit of Community honorees have seen problems in their communities and around the world and have taken action,” said Ms. Sarandon. “Their compassion to help others should give us all a lot of hope for the future.”

Abigail, a member of the University of Arkansas 4-H and a senior at Clinton High School, founded an annual equestrian event in her county that raised more than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society in its first two years. Faced with the challenge of choosing a volunteer project as a member of a community service class at her school, Abigail thought about her grandmother, who had loved and rode horses her entire life before dying of brain cancer the previous summer. Then, after hearing about a California horse-riding event that raises money to fight cancer, she decided to attempt a similar fund-raiser in her county. “I have seen firsthand what cancer can do to its victims, even a spirited, courageous and independent woman such as my grandmother,” said Abigail. “No one should have to suffer the pain that cancer causes.”

Abigail’s “Ride for Life” is modeled after the many Relay for Life events conducted annually for the American Cancer Society. She obtained the society’s approval of her idea, and recruited school faculty, community members, and a few of her peers to serve on a committee that would help her carry out her plan. They found a location for the event, put together an agenda, distributed flyers and brochures, sent invitations to horse clubs and associations in Arkansas, recruited horse-riding teams, and solicited corporate sponsorships. The first Ride for Life in 2009 raised more than $6,000, and last year’s event brought in nearly $15,000. The event will continue to be held annually, managed by students at her high school after she graduates. “Everyone is touched by cancer, just as everyone will be benefited by money that is raised for the American Cancer Society,” said Abigail.

Leyton, a seventh-grader at Crowley’s Ridge Academy, designed a 2.2-mile “history trail” along the sidewalks of her town that tells the story of its rich and diverse past through a brochure and building plaques. After visiting many historic sites in Arkansas with her family, Leyton realized that her town should have a way to share its history with residents and visitors. “I created the Paragould History Trail to tell the city’s story of growth and expansion from its beginning,” she explained.

Leyton selected 18 structures to feature on her handicapped-accessible trail, including residences, businesses, churches, and government buildings, that showcase all aspects of Paragould’s history. She spent countless hours researching them by conducting personal interviews and poring over old newspapers and court documents. She then took photographs and map coordinates of each building, and compiled all of her information into a 13-page brochure. Costs for printing the brochure were funded by local businesses. The brochure is offered free of charge through the Greene County Museum to anyone who wants to walk the trail. Leyton also designed a souvenir patch and raised money to produce an initial quantity to be sold at the museum. In addition, plaques designating each historic structure along the trail will be presented to the property owners. “Everyone who completes the trail leaves with a better sense of community awareness and appreciation,” said Leyton.

“Abigail and Leyton represent young Americans who have a strong sense of community and who are dedicated to improving our neighborhoods, our nation and our world,” said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. “With great anticipation, we look forward to their future achievements as they continue to spread the spirit of community.”

More than 29,000 young people participated in the 2011 awards program last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the Points of Light Institute’s HandsOn Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state were selected in February, and were flown to Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.

Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 16 years ago by Prudential Financial to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models.

“The young women and men in America’s schools are nothing short of amazing, and nowhere is this more evident than amongst this year’s award recipients,” said NASSP President Jana Frieler. “They possess a keen intellect, servant hearts, capable leadership skills, and are filled with energy and ambition. NASSP and Prudential are honored to recognize them.”

More information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year’s honorees can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit.

NASSP is the leading organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and all school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP provides research-based professional development and resources, networking, and advocacy to build the capacity of middle level and high school leaders to continually improve student performance. Reflecting its longstanding commitment to student leadership development as well, NASSP administers the National Honor Society™, National Junior Honor Society®, National Elementary Honor Society®, and National Association of Student Councils®. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.nassp.org.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/

[Editors: full-color pictures of the Spirit of Community Awards program logo and medallions are available at spirit.prudential.com.]

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