COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

October 2, 2015

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: The 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Over the past 20 years, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards have been given to more than 2,600 middle and high school students across Virginia for helping the less fortunate, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, and serving their communities through many other volunteer activities.  These awards, presented nationwide by Prudential Financial, Inc., in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), honor outstanding community service by young people in grades 5 through 12.

Young volunteers may apply online for an award at http://spirit.prudential.com or at www.nassp.org/spirit. Applications must be completed by November 3, 2015, and then submitted to a middle or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA, or affiliate of HandsOn Network.  Paper application forms can be requested by calling 877-525-8491 toll-free.

For questions about the application process, please refer to the Web site at http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/14830.

SRS/CB/vdg