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

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Wisconsin's top two youth volunteers of 2015, Marlaina Perelshtein, 17, of Grafton and Lia Haile, 11, of Manitowoc, 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. Marlaina and Lia – 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 Marlaina and Lia Wisconsin'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.

Marlaina, a senior at Grafton High School, founded a volunteer group at her school that gives students the opportunity to participate in service activities with numerous nonprofit organizations. While volunteering at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin at age 12, Marlaina met a little boy awaiting a heart transplant, and realized the impact that volunteers can make on those who are sick or in need. "It was at that moment that I knew more people needed to get involved as there is strength in numbers," she said.

Marlaina continued to volunteer on her own, doing things like chairing a committee for a March of Dimes fundraising walk, assisting with Children's Hospital's annual prom, and singing to young patients in the pediatric cancer ward. Eventually, however, she decided she needed to share her love of volunteering with fellow students by forming a volunteer group at her school. She met with school administrators to propose a student-run organization called "Teens on the Scene" (TOS), which soon became an official school activity. When the group meets, each member must propose at least one service opportunity so that there are plenty of ideas to choose from. Many of the opportunities result from Marlaina's close ties to organizations such as Children's Hospital, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Children's Miracle Network and Make-A-Wish Foundation. The concept has been so successful that there are now four more TOS chapters across Wisconsin. Marlaina has also met with state lawmakers in an effort to require volunteer service hours to graduate high school with honors in Wisconsin. "My friends frequently question my love of volunteering," said Marlaina. "What they don't realize is that volunteering can be just as fun as any other activity."

Lia, a fifth-grader at Stangel Elementary School, created a community club of more than 600 adults and children who help her provide welcome bags, birthday parties, holiday celebrations and other items and events for children and families staying at a local homeless shelter. In 2012, Lia went to Hope House with her mother to drop off donations that her Girl Scout troop had collected. It happened to be one little boy's birthday, and when Lia asked if he was going to have a party, the shelter's director replied that there was no money for parties. "I told my mom I wanted to have a party for him," said Lia. "From that day on, I have been throwing birthday parties for every child who celebrates a birthday at the homeless shelter."

She now has plenty of help. After Lia formed a "Hopeful Hearts Club" to get people in her community involved and a newspaper published a story on her efforts, lots of adults and young people volunteered to work with her. "Even the mayor joined my club!" said Lia. That enabled her to expand her activities. In addition to birthday parties, Lia's club gives each child arriving at Hope House a "Welcome Home" bag containing toiletries and a fleece blanket. The club also hosts holiday dinners at the shelter, as well as monthly events such as Easter egg hunts, ice cream socials, Christmas cookie swaps, pizza parties and family excursions. Lia works closely with local businesses to obtain goods and services at a discount for these activities. She also has coordinated drives to collect books for the shelter and school supplies for children in need. In addition, Lia won a $1,000 grant to improve Hope House's backyard, and will use that money to install a fence, swing set and sandbox for the kids there.

"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 Wisconsin's honorees at the 2015 national recognition events, contact Prudential's Harold Banks at (973) 216-4833 or harold.banks@prudential.com.

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