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

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Wyoming's top two youth volunteers of 2015, Laura Harris, 17, of Green River and Trinity Rich, 11, of Douglas, were honored in the nation's capital last night for their outstanding volunteer service during the 20^th annual presentation of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Laura and Trinity – along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country – each received $1,000 awards and personal congratulations from "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts at an award ceremony and gala dinner reception held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), named Laura and Trinity Wyoming's top high school and middle level youth volunteers in February. In addition to their cash awards, they each received an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent to Washington, D.C., for four days of recognition events.

Laura, a senior at Green River High School, has helped raise a great deal of money to grant wishes for dozens of sick children in her state, makes blankets for newborns in foster care, and does chores for veterans who need help. Laura was born with a heart defect and was not expected to live to see her 10th birthday. But thanks to experimental surgery, Laura is not only alive, but has dedicated herself to helping others. "I am grateful every moment for the extended time I have been allowed," she said. "I express my gratitude by providing hope to others."

Laura enlists the help of community organizations, church youth groups, sports teams, family members and friends. She promotes through radio, posters at a local grocery store, flyers she distributes at school, and word of mouth. "I was given additional years to live, so I feel great passion in leading fundraising efforts to provide for the wishes of children whose lives are cut short," she said. After Laura's brother returned home with a traumatic brain injury, she decided to help veterans, too. She publicizes her services on the radio, urging veterans who need help to contact her. She has planted flowers for them, mowed lawns, cleaned houses, cooked meals, and simply visited with those who are lonely. "Charles Dickens tells us, ‘No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of others,'" said Laura. "On those days when I lift others, I feel my life has tremendous value."

Trinity, a fifth-grader at Douglas Intermediate School, performs a variety of volunteer tasks for neighbors and senior citizens because she "just felt like helping them was the right thing to do." While visiting her grandmother to help with chores, Trinity noticed that other residents in the apartment building needed assistance, too. So she began helping them do their laundry, put away groceries, take out the trash and handle other basic tasks. "It just seems like these people always need help with something," said Trinity.

Last summer, Trinity expanded her helpful volunteering to her neighborhood. She went door-to-door and asked her neighbors what she could do for them. As a result, she cheerfully walked dogs, watered lawns, helped with yardwork, and even watched a family's house while they were away. "Being kind and helpful is a great thing," said Trinity. "It made me feel good about myself."

"As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, we are delighted to recognize the 2015 honorees for their exemplary volunteer service," said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. "These young people have demonstrated leadership, compassion and perseverance, and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the future."

"These honorees represent the best of what America's youth have to offer," said G.A. Buie, president of NASSP. "They have set a powerful example for their peers by proving that one young person really can make a difference, and it is a privilege to shine a spotlight on their good works."

Youth volunteers in grades 5-12 were invited to apply for 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the HandsOn Network. More than 33,000 middle level and high school students nationwide participated in this year's program.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program was created in 1995 to identify and recognize young people for outstanding volunteer service – and, in so doing, inspire others to volunteer, too. In the past 20 years, the program has honored more than 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

For more information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year's honorees, 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 middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 countries around the world. The association connects and engages school leaders through advocacy, research, education, and student programs. NASSP advocates on behalf of all school leaders to ensure the success of each student and strengthens school leadership practices through the design and delivery of high-quality professional learning experiences. 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 Association of Student Councils. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.nassp.org.

About Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial, Inc. 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.

Editors: For full-color pictures of the Spirit of Community Awards program logo and medallions, click here: http://bit.ly/Xi4oFW

For B-roll of Wyoming's honorees at the 2015 national recognition events, contact Prudential's Harold Banks at (973) 216-4833 or harold.banks@prudential.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150504006241/en/