WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Sep 10, 2012) - It is always heartwarming to see young volunteers taking the time to help others. And for the past 17 years, The [ Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ] program has recognized and celebrated their efforts. This [ awards ] program, sponsored by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), honors outstanding community service by students in grades 5 through 12 at the local, state and national level.

Since 1995, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards have been given to more than 100,000 middle and high school students across the country for helping the less fortunate, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, and serving their communities through many other volunteer activities. This month, with the opening of the 2013 application period, the [ search ] continues for thousands more students who have made meaningful contributions to their communities over the past 12 months.

"We have been recognizing youth [ volunteers ] since 1995 -- and still, every year, we're amazed by the stories of exemplary community service," said Prudential Chairman and CEO John R. Strangfeld. "We look forward to honoring the top youth volunteers of 2013 for their selflessness, their initiative and their dedication to changing communities for the better."

Know a student who should apply? Young volunteers can apply online at [ http://spirit.prudential.com ] or at [ www.nassp.org/spirit ]. Applications must be completed by November 6, 2012, 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 versions of the application form are available by calling (877) 525-8491 toll-free. 

Participating [ schools ] and local organizations will select Local [ Honorees ] in early November and present them with Certificates of Achievement. These Local Honorees also will receive the President's Volunteer Service Award if they have contributed the minimum number of volunteer hours to qualify (50 hours for age 14 and younger, 100 hours for those older). All Local Honorees are then reviewed by a state-level judging committee, which will name the top two candidates from each state and the District of Columbia -- one high school student and one middle level student -- as State Honorees on February 5, 2013. 

These State Honorees will receive:

• $1,000 awards
• Engraved silver medallions
• An all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., with a parent for four days of recognition events May 4-7, 2013

Runners-up at the state level will receive bronze medallions or Certificates of Excellence.

Once in Washington D.C., a distinguished national selection committee will name 10 of the 102 State Honorees as America's top youth volunteers of 2013. These National Honorees will receive:

• $5,000
• Gold medallions
• Crystal trophies for their nominating schools or organizations
• $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice

"We have learned in the past 17 years that, on any given day, thousands of middle and high school students are [ volunteering ] in communities across America," said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. "As the search begins for the top youth volunteers of 2013, we hope that our message to those students is clear: we acknowledge, respect and commend you for your service."

For information on The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, please visit:
[ http://spirit.prudential.com ]

Join The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards on Facebook:
[ http://www.facebook.com/spiritawards ]

Follow The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards of Twitter:
[ https://twitter.com/pruspirit ]

Check out The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards on YouTube:
[ http://www.youtube.com/user/PruSpiritofCommunity ]

About The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. The awards program also is conducted in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland and India, where Prudential has significant business operations.

About NASSP
NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) is the leading organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and all school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. The association provides research-based professional development and resources, networking, and advocacy to build the capacity of middle level and high school leaders to continually improve student performance. Reflecting its longstanding commitment to student leadership development as well, NASSP administers the National Honor Society™, National Junior Honor Society®, National Elementary Honor Society®, and National Association of Student Councils®. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit [ www.nassp.org ].

About Prudential Financial
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: [ PRU ]), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit [ http://www.news.prudential.com/ ].