China D. '20 Receives Presidential Service Award

China Duff of Rumford, a senior at La Salle Academy, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. 

            The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. La Salle Academy nominated China for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service.

            China Duff has been actively volunteering in numerous organizations since middle school.  The activities include:  Save the Bay Camp Counselor, Potter League Camp Counselor/kennel attendee/dog walker, Waterfire, Kennedy School, and the Dominican Republic Eco-Service.

            Honoree China Duff stated, “As I began joining different clubs and learning about activities I quickly realized that I was interested in all of them.”

            Principal, Donald Kavanagh stated, “China constantly strives to make every event better for the entire school.  Throughout her time at La Salle she has offered ideas, shared the ideas of her classmates, and worked tirelessly to ensure that all activities are inclusive.”  

            In its 25^th year, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.

     “Across the United States, young volunteers are doing remarkable things to contribute to the well-being of the people and communities around them,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO Charles Lowrey. “Prudential is honored to celebrate the contributions of these students, and we hope their stories inspire others to volunteer, too.”

            "Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life," said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti.  "These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate."

            Prudential Spirit of Community Award application details were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Points of Light Global Network members.  These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging. In addition to granting President’s Volunteer Service Awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.

Photo: Donald Kavanagh '69, Principal, China, ConiSue King, Director of School Counseling/College Counselor.