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

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Feb. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Shae Smith, 15, of Bolivar and Chloe Christensen, 14, of Lake Lotawana today were named Missouri'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. As State Honorees, Shae and Chloe 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 from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2019. 

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 Missouri's top youth volunteers of 2019:

High School State Honoree: Shae Smith
Nominated by Bolivar High School

Shae, a freshman at Bolivar High School, created a campaign called "Catching The Curve" to raise awareness of scoliosis, prevent spinal deformities through early screening, and boost the confidence of people living with this condition. When Shae was 11, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine that, if left untreated, can cause chronic back pain, disfigurement, and even heart and lung problems. "In three years I have seen numerous orthopedic specialists, was braced 23 hours per day for six months, and discussed the placement of a metal rod in my back," Shae said. The emotional toll can be just as bad, she added, as children with this condition may suffer low self-esteem or be bullied because of surgery scars or the braces they must wear under their clothes.

Knowing how critical early detection is to slow or even halt the progression of scoliosis, Shae created a website in 2017 to increase public awareness about diagnosis and treatment, and to raise money for her cause. She also has been active politically, lobbying state lawmakers to pass legislation that would mandate scoliosis screening in schools. She also succeeded in having September 1 designated by her state's governor as Scoliosis Awareness Day. To bolster patients' self-esteem, Shae organized a fashion show where 11 models with scoliosis strutted down the runway, "proudly modeling their scars, uneven shoulders and hard-shelled braces," she said. She also has described her own journey in a self-published book and delivered more than 300 copies to schools across Missouri. In addition, Shae has raised $30,000 to help with medical expenses for scoliosis patients at Shriner's and Children's Miracle Network hospitals.      

Middle Level State Honoree: Chloe Christensen
Nominated by Bernard C. Campbell Middle School

Chloe, an eighth-grader at Bernard C. Campbell Middle School, has collected and donated more than 35,000 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that sends shoes around the globe to children and adults who can't afford footwear. In 2012, Chloe informed her family that she "already had enough toys and belongings," so in lieu of birthday gifts, she wanted shoes that she could give to people in need. "My main concern was always that without shoes, children cannot go to school; they may develop cuts on their feet that lead to infection, which may result in the spread of disease and even death," Chloe said. That first year she collected 86 pairs. Later, she saw an online ad about a girl collecting shoes for Soles4Souls and knew right away that she wanted to do the same.

To motivate her friends to collect footwear, Chloe held a contest with her soccer team to see who could collect the most shoes, and hosted a skate night, a dinner at a restaurant and other events. She began talking to school groups and community organizations about the impact a single pair of shoes can have on a person, worked with a local television station to make a commercial for PBS Kids Network, and, with the help of her mother, created Facebook and Instagram accounts to publicize her cause. When people have shoe donations for Chloe, they drop them off either at her home or at a warehouse where she stores the shoes. When the warehouse is full, Chloe and her team of volunteers load the shoes into a large truck, which transports them to Soles4Souls. In addition to all the shoes she has collected, Chloe said she is happy to have inspired many of her friends to get involved in community service. Like her, many of them now ask for donations to their favorite charities instead of gifts on their birthdays, she said.  

Distinguished Finalists

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

These are Missouri's Distinguished Finalists for 2019:

Kathryn Flemming, 17, of Creve Coeur, Mo., a senior at MICDS-Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School, created "Katie's Books for Kids," an initiative that has donated more than 5,000 books to patients at children's hospitals and allows pediatric patients to take books home with them when they are released. Kathryn was inspired to start the initiative by her experience as a regular at hospitals throughout her life, after being born with four incurable blood platelet disorders.

Brenna Heavin, 16, of Rolla, Mo., a junior at Rolla High School, has worked with her family since 2011 on "Cupcakes for Cancer," an annual initiative that has raised more than $15,000 through cupcake sales for The Joy of Caring Cancer Fund to assist people with cancer in paying everyday expenses. Brenna and her family organize cupcake sales online and then prepare and distribute them; they've distributed more and more cupcakes each year, and baked more than 3,500 of them this past year.

Flynn Kehm, 16, of Fenton, Mo., a sophomore at Rockwood Summit High School, started "Born to Dance," an organization that provides kids in need and kids with disabilities with free dance attire. Her initiative has collected and distributed about $50,000 worth of dance equipment to organizations including Grand Center Arts Academy, Boys and Girls Club, Arts in Motion, the Children's Home Society of Missouri and a dance studio in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria.

Abilene Lortz, 15, of Saint James, Mo., a freshman at John F. Hodge High School, played a pivotal role in advocating for a law that created STEM awareness programs for middle school students and allowed computer science to count as a math credit towards high school graduation. She is the founder of "STEM Girl, Inc.," which introduces STEM education in elementary schools and has raised $10,000 to provide summer camp scholarships for STEM programs.

Madelyn Muncy, 17, of Lockwood, Mo., a senior at Lockwood High School, orchestrated annual golf tournaments that have raised nearly $40,000 to support the eating disorders clinic Selah House, along with the Cashmere Foundation and the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). In addition to raising money for a cause dear to her heart, getting others involved has increased awareness about eating disorders.

Lauren Vanlandingham, 18, of Ladue, Mo., a member of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, spearheaded "A Million Letters," an organization that collects and distributes letters of hope for those with cancer and their families. She published a book highlighting the campaign, which has enabled her to donate 150 books to hospitals, oncology centers and other cancer organizations across the nation.

"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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