Vanessa Woolfolk of Ewing was recently named the Villa Victoria Academy Volunteer of the Year in the Prudential Spirit community Awards program.
Currently a junior at Villa Victoria, Woolfolk has given back to her community in many different ways, including providing childcare for working parents in the summer, volunteering at the local animal shelter and at the Ewing Youth Police Academy, leading annual projects through her Girl Scout Trop and initiating food and clothing drives.
Upper School principal Sister Lesley Draper praised Woolfolk for her efforts. “Vanessa has a heart for service and continues to look for ways to make a difference in her community.”
Sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards recognize outstanding community service by young Americans. Miss Woolfolk is now eligible for the New Jersey youth Volunteer of the Year awards. Two State Honorees, one middle and one high school student, will be named in February. Each will receive a $1,000 award, a silver medallion and a trip to Washington, D.C. for recognition ceremonies with a parent or guardian next May. Other honorees will receive bronze medallions or Certifications of Excellence.
At the Washington event, ten National Honorees will be named by a distinguished national selection committee, and each will receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for his or her school or organization and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of his or her choice.
“Young people who contribute their time and talents to their communities are role models for all of us,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “We salute their dedication, their achievements, and their spirit of community.”
