WINNEMUCCA - A Lowry High School senior has been honored for making a positive difference in Humboldt County.
Torrey Herrera was recently nominated for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Although Torrey was not selected for a state-level honor, he did qualify for the prestigious President's Volunteer Service Award.
The award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country. Torrey was presented with a President's Volunteer Service Award certificate and a letter from President Barack Obama.
"Please use this opportunity to recognize Torrey as a role model for other young people," wrote Prudential Financial Chairman and CEO John R. Strangfeld in a letter addressed to Lowry High School Principal Debbie Watts.
Strangfeld also thanked Torrey for conveying the message "that volunteer service by young Americans is important, valued and rewarding."
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service.
The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state and national level.
The program's goals are to applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities.
Over the past 17 years, more than 345,000 young Americans have participated in the program, and more than 100,000 youth have been officially recognized for their volunteer efforts.
In the United States, each program year begins in September, when information and application instructions are mailed to all middle level and high schools in the 50 states and Washington, D.C., and to officially designated local organizations.
Through these schools and local organizations, students are encouraged to complete an online application by Nov. 6. Local honorees are selected at participating schools and organizations in November.
From these winners, an independent judging organization names the top middle level and high school volunteer in each state and Washington, D.C. Results are announced in early February. Then, 10 national honorees are chosen by a panel of prominent public figures, and announced at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May.
Torrey is an Eagle Scout and is involved with many local organizations including the Winnemucca Host Lions Club Leos youth group. He is the son of Ignacio and Lynn Herrera of Winnemucca.
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