COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

PRINS. MEMO NO. 41

October 12, 2004

ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE/SECONDARY

TO:	Principals
FROM:	Linda M. Wallinger Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
SUBJECT:	Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program is sponsoring the tenth annual awards program to identify and recognize the top youth volunteers in Virginia. Prudential Financial, Inc., in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), presents the awards nationwide. The program is open to middle and high school students.

The top two candidates from Virginia, one middle and one high school student, will be named state honorees in February 2005. These state honorees will receive $1,000 awards, engraved silver medallions, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D. C., for four days of national recognition events from April 30 to May 3, 2005. Runners-up at the state level will receive bronze medallions or certificates of excellence.

In May of 2005, the top ten youth volunteers of the year will be named. These national honorees will receive additional awards of $5,000, gold medallions, and crystal trophies for their schools or organizations. In addition, $25,000 worth of juvenile products will be donated in each of their names to needy children in their areas.

Students must submit completed applications by October 29, 2004. Participating schools and local organizations select local honorees and submit them to a state-level judging committee. Application forms may be downloaded from the Prudential website at http://www.prudential.com/spirit or http://www.principals.org/awards/prudential.cfm, or by calling toll-free (888) 450-9961. For more information, contact Ms. Cheryl Gray Ball (cgraybal@mail.vak12ed.edu), education specialist, at (804) 225-2882.

LMW/CGB