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Former First Lady Laura Bush congratulates Elizabeth Volzke, 17, of Eureka (center) and Savannah Johnson, 14, of Spearfish (right) on being named the top two youth volunteers in South Dakota for 2009 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Elizabeth and Savannah were honored at a ceremony Sunday night, May 3, at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., where they each received a $1,000 award. (Photo: Business Wire)

Elizabeth and Savannah were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in South Dakota last February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week's recognition events.

"The young people receiving these awards genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of others and have accomplished so much - in their own communities and around the world," said Mrs. Bush, who delivered the keynote address at last night's ceremony. "I thank and congratulate them for their outstanding volunteer work. Students with this kind of commitment and leadership ability are essential to the future of our nation."

Elizabeth, a member of the McPherson County 4-H in Leola and a junior at Eureka Public School, conducted an extensive campaign to educate students and others in her area about the importance of wearing seatbelts and the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Elizabeth says she feels strongly about safe driving because a seatbelt saved her life in a car accident a few years ago, and because "I have seen too many people, especially teens, get hurt or die from drinking and driving." Determined to address both issues, she began planning a mock accident to dramatize the horrific consequences that can result from drunk driving and unbuckled seatbelts.

Elizabeth enlisted the help of an ambulance crew, police, firefighters, undertakers, and school officials to stage the "accident" and its aftermath. She wrote a script, recruited actors, made fake blood, and donated her own wrecked car for the drama. On the day of the demonstration, she organized buses to take students to the "crash" site, and afterwards depicted what happens at the police station, in the emergency room, and at the funeral home. In addition, Elizabeth hosted a clinic to check young children's booster seats, arranged for a police officer to speak to elementary school students, and conducted seatbelt surveys at school basketball games. She also wrote articles for local newspapers, recorded public service announcements, displayed posters at school, and gave many talks to promote safe driving.

Savannah, an eighth-grader at Spearfish Middle School, helped raise thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society as the captain of her student council's Relay for Life team. Savannah became involved in the annual Relay for Life fund-raiser when she joined her school's student council in sixth grade. The following year, her advisor asked her to take on the responsibilities of team captain. "I started meeting survivors and hearing their stories," said Savannah. "Being able to know such wonderful people has made a big impact on my life."

As captain, Savannah held weekly meetings with her team, planned creative ways to raise money for the relay, recruited some friends to help, and coordinated fund-raising activities that surpassed their goal of $2,000. "Even though our Relay for Life team of kids didn't make the most money, I know every bit helps," said Savannah. "With the money we raised, we could have helped save somebody's life." She added that she plans to continue raising money to fight cancer after she graduates from middle school this year.

"Elizabeth and Savannah are inspiring examples of young Americans who care deeply about the needs of others and who have taken the initiative to help meet those needs," said John R. Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. "By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example."

Nearly 20,000 young people submitted applications for the 2009 awards program last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the Points of Light Institute's HandsOn Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state were selected in February, and were flown to Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.

Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 14 years ago by Prudential Financial, Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored nearly 90,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

"The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is a fabulous partnership between NASSP and Prudential, allowing us to recognize the outstanding young people in our schools and communities," said NASSP President Larry Bradley. "This year's honorees exemplify the true spirit of helping others and by doing so they give America and the world a promising future, a future filled with compassion and hope."

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by the American Association of School Administrators, the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association, the Council of the Great City Schools, Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, the American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, the Points of Light Institute, and other national education and service organizations.

More information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year's honorees can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.principals.org/prudential.

In existence since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP's mission is to promote excellence in school leadership. The National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society , and National Association of Student Councils are all NASSP programs. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, Va., visit www.principals.org or call 703-860-0200.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) is a financial services leader with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping approximately 50 million individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company's well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential's businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. For more information, visit www.news.prudential.com.

Prudential
Harold Banks, 973-802-8974 or 973-216-4833
On May 4, 8:30 am - 4 pm EDT: 202-955-1155 or -1166