The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was presented by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.  Adam participated in the Spirit of Community program this year as a representative of Savoy High School in Savoy, Texas where he is a student.  

Adam earned his award by volunteering in a variety of activities.  For example, Adam worked with a team of Beta student leaders on an environmental project in Austin, Texas this past summer.  Along with his team, Adam worked to repair and rebuild the landscaping around an Austin housing project, garden, park, and nearby creek.  Adam’s efforts improved not only the environment in the area, but also the quality of life for the residents of the housing community. 

Adam has also worked with fellow Beta students on local volunteer projects such as Adopt-A-Highway, Blood drives, Veteran’s programs, 911 Memorial programs, and student tutoring programs. 

Michael W. Smith, principal of Savoy High School, stated, “Adam is an inspirational leader whose considerate spirit and enthusiasm positively impacts those he works with.  He is an asset to our campus, our community, and our state.  I am proud to say I know him.” 

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 250,000 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. Strangefeld, 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, YMCA’s, and affiliates of HandsOn Network.  After Local Honorees were named, state-level judges selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists 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.  Prudential Financial, based in Newark, N.J., provides more than 50 million individual and institutional customers worldwide with life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services.