LAHS senior Ruby Selvage is honored for her volunteer service with a 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Award. LAHS Principal Carter Payne nominated her for this prestigious award. Courtesy/LAHS
LAHS News:
Los Alamos High School senior Ruby Selgage has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a Certificate of Excellence from The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, and with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Presented annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honors young people across America for outstanding volunteer service.
Certificates of Excellence are granted to the top 10 percent of all Prudential Spirit of Community Award applicants in each state and the District of Columbia.
President’s Volunteer Service Awards recognize Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.
LAHS nominated Selvage for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service. She serves as student body vice president and has served as class president during her freshman and sophomore years, and class vice president as a junior.
Selvage is involved with Student, Council, Student Leadership, National History Day, Natural Helpers and the Pegasus Club. She also is the student representative for the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation, where she participates on the fundraising and project and programs subcommittees. Her volunteer work with this organization and its “Taste of Knowledge” fundraiser is the basis for her national recognition.
“We raised over $23,000 in one night with the “Taste of Knowledge” fundraiser while we raised awareness for the need to continue supporting the work of the foundation,” Selvage said.
“If there is a chance for a student to get involved to help others, you’ll almost always find Ruby there,” said LAHS Principal Carter Payne who nominated her for this award.
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.
“Prudential is honored to celebrate the contributions of these remarkable young volunteers,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “By shining a spotlight on the difference they’ve made in their communities, we hope others are inspired to volunteer, too.”
“These students have not only improved their communities through their exemplary volunteer service, but also set a fine example for their peers,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. “Each of their stories is proof of the impact one young person can have when they decide to make a difference.”
Prudential Spirit of Community Award applications were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Affiliates of Points of Light’s HandsOn Network. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging. In addition to granting Certificates of Excellence and President’s Volunteer Service Awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including personal initiative, creativity effort, impact and personal growth.
Los Alamos High School is the number one comprehensive public high school in New Mexico, serving more than 1,100 students in Los Alamos County and surrounding areas. LAHS is proudly accredited by AdvancED and meets all requirements and standards established by the State of New Mexico.
