Georgia's Top Youth Volunteers Of 2019 Selected By National Program

ATLANTA, Feb. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Anish Bikmal, 17, of Cumming and Seth De La Pena, 13, of Alpharetta today were named Georgia's top two youth volunteers of 2019 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 24^th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

These are Georgia's top youth volunteers of 2019:

High School State Honoree: Anish Bikmal

Nominated by South Forsyth High School

Anish, a senior at South Forsyth High School, co-founded a nonprofit organization that operates a tutoring academy for local students, and uses the proceeds to benefit charities in India serving subsistence farmers, hungry children and people with cataracts. On a visit to India several years ago, Anish had the chance to meet farmers near Mumbai who work 70 hours a week but use agricultural techniques that can damage soil quality and produce harvests too meager to adequately support their families, he said. "I wanted to help, but how?" he wondered, and then concluded: "Although I can't educate the farmers directly, I can educate students in my local community and then, using the profits from tutoring, I can educate farmers indirectly."

Anish and his older brother recruited other high school students to join them in providing academic assistance in a variety of subjects to kids in grades 3-12 through weekly classes, summer camps, motivational talks, college counseling and mentoring relationships. Since then, three branches of their "Motivate and Inspire" academy have taken root, and more than $50,000 has been donated to philanthropic organizations in India to educate and provide tools to 104 farmers, serve approximately 30,000 meals to children in need and pay for 44 cataract surgeries. As the current president, Anish delegates tasks to the academy's tutors, organizes events, manages advertising and finances, and conducts four classes a week himself. "I would tell other young people that the best way to show your appreciation for the resources you have is to share it with others," he said. "The only way we can improve as a society is by working together."

Middle Level State Honoree: Seth De La Pena

Nominated by Fulton Science Academy

Seth, an eighth-grader at Fulton Science Academy, started a service group that provides clothing and school supplies to students in need at an elementary school in an area of the Philippines affected by a volcanic eruption early last year. Seth's parents immigrated to the United States from that country and took him to visit when he was younger. "I came back home with a heavy heart thinking of the unfortunate kids my age," said Seth. "My parents' constant reminders not to waste food and be grateful for what I have convinced me to spend my time not on games or otherwise pointless tasks, but instead on running an organization that would provide for the misfortunate."

Seth recruited other students at his school to help him begin an information and fundraising campaign in support of students at Tinago Elementary School in Albay, Philippines. The effort got off to a slow start, but after the Mayon volcano erupted and displaced many nearby residents, Seth's group collected approximately $1,000 and many boxes of clothing, and then delivered school supplies and clothing to young students at the elementary school. "The smile on their faces after seeing their new items and the pure innocence of their lives were heartwarming," he said.          

Distinguished Finalists

The program judges also recognized six other Georgia students as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion.

These are Georgia's Distinguished Finalists for 2019:

Rachel Korynoski, 19, of Flowery Branch, Ga., a senior at Johnson High School, has initiated and coordinated numerous community service projects for fellow students while serving as a leader of her school's Interact Club and National Honor Society chapter. Her projects have benefited homeless and hungry families, abandoned pets, the environment and many other causes.

Sanjeev Kumar, 17, of Johns Creek, Ga., a senior at Northview High School, is the founder and president of "WHOLE Fit," a nonprofit that promotes healthy lifestyles for young people through classes and presentations at schools and a summer camp, relationships with other nonprofits and an annual field day. Sanjeev's organization, which now has chapters at several high schools, also holds a yearly food drive for a local food bank.

Jessica Lao, 18, of Johns Creek, Ga., a senior at The Westminster Schools, led a six-month, $20,000 fundraising drive through a school club to build dormitories and a computer lab for indigenous girls in Peru's Sacred Valley. Under Jessica's direction, her school's Circle of Women chapter won grants, secured corporate sponsors and conducted a wide variety of fundraisers for the project, which was completed last spring.

Isabella Miller, 16, of Cumming, Ga., a sophomore at Lambert High School, has delivered more than 2,000 "bags of hope" containing toiletries and snacks over the past three years to sober living facilities and charities serving the homeless in Atlanta. She also has sent her bags of hope to storm victims across the country, and donated 17 bicycles and home-cooked meals to benefit recovering addicts and people experiencing homelessness.

Jalisa Peterson, 17, of Midway, Ga., a senior at Liberty County High School, has been a dedicated volunteer at a nearby orphanage since 2010, building relationships with the children there, ranging from newborns to 18-year-olds. She plays games with the kids, reads to them, works on arts and crafts projects, and sometimes invites friends to come with her on her visits.

Shanzeh Sheikh, 17, of Marietta, Ga., a member of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and a junior at The Walker School, has educated students and teachers in Georgia and Pakistan about the importance of vaccinations to prevent meningitis and polio. Shanzeh delivered a presentation about the subject to 400 students and faculty members at her school, and distributed informational brochures to 18 regional high schools and to a school in rural Pakistan, where polio is still prevalent.

"These young volunteers learned and demonstrated that they can make meaningful contributions to individuals and communities through their service," said Prudential CEO Charles Lowrey. "It's an honor to recognize their great work, and we hope that shining a spotlight on their service inspires others to consider how they might make a difference."

"Each of these honorees is proof that students have the energy, creativity and unique perspectives to create positive change," said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. "We commend each of the 2019 honorees for their outstanding volunteer service, and for the invaluable example they've set for their peers." 

About The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. 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 affiliates of Points of Light's HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award. These Local Honorees were then reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth. 

While in Washington, D.C., the 102 State Honorees – one middle level and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia – will tour the capital's landmarks, meet top youth volunteers from other parts of the world, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural

History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. On May 6, 10 of the State Honorees – five middle level and five high school students – will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2019. These National 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.  

Since the program began in 1995, more than 125,000 young volunteers have been honored at the local, state and national level. The program also is conducted by Prudential subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India, China and Brazil. In addition to granting its own awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program also distributes President's Volunteer Service Awards to qualifying Local Honorees.

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

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student's potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council. Learn more at www.nassp.org.

About Prudential Financial

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 and investment management. 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 www.news.prudential.com.

For Spirit of Community Awards program logo and medallion graphics, please visit https://spirit.prudential.com/resources/media

SOURCE Prudential Financial, Inc.

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