Senate Resolution 41

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING STAR WALLIN, A SENIOR AT HATTIESBURG HIGH SCHOOL, FOR RECEIVING THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY TOP YOUTH VOLUNTEER AWARD FOR 2002.

WHEREAS, Star Wallin, 17, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi has been named Mississippi's Top Youth Volunteer for 2002 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. The awards program, now in its seventh year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); a record 28,000 high school and middle level students submitted applications for this year's program; and

WHEREAS, Star was nominated by Hattiesburg High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and as State Honoree she will receive $1,000.00, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip in May to Washington, D.C., where she will join the top two honorees--one middle level and one high school youth--from each of the other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for several days of national recognition events; ten of the students will be named America's Top Youth Volunteers for 2002 at that time; and

WHEREAS, Star, a Senior at Hattiesburg High School, founded and directs Project CARE, an organization that has mobilized nearly 100 teenagers to assist homeless and hungry families, save abused animals, and address other community needs. Project CARE ("Compassion in Action creates a Ripple Effect") recruits volunteers, raises money, in partership with state and local agencies. For needy families, Star's organization has provided meals, transportation and assistance in finding housing, jobs and childcare. In response to her concern about neglected and homeless pets, she has raised nearly $10,000.00 for a local animal shelter, developed programs to prevent overpopulation, and personally cared for and found homes for more than 60 dogs and cats. Other projects have included finding high school mentors for 200 elementary school children and beautifying the grounds of her high school; and

WHEREAS, the recipients of this award are extraordinary young people who exemplify the spirit of community that is critical to keeping America strong in the face of the challenges that confront them today; and

WHEREAS, all public and private middle level and high schools in the country, along with all Girl Scout councils and county 4-H organizations, are eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Local Honorees are then reviewed by state-level judges, who select State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth; and

WHEREAS, on May 6, 2002, ten of the 104 State Honorees--five middle level and five high school students--will be named America's Top Ten Youth Volunteers of the Year by a prestigious national selection committee. These National Honorees will receive an additional $5,000.00, a gold medallion, and a crystal trophy. In addition, the ten National Honorees will have a total of $250,000.00 in children's products donated in their names to needy children in their communities by the National Charity of the Children Products Industry; and

WHEREAS, the awards are part of a broad initiative created by Prudential to encourage young people to become involved in a community service. Other elements of the initiative include The Prudential Youth Leadership Institute, a community leadership training program for high school students, and a variety of educational materials for young people and teachers relating to youth volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the community spirit of this talented young Mississippian, who has brought honor to her school, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Star Wallin, a Senior at Hattiesburg High School, for receiving the Prudential Spirit of Community Top Youth Volunteer Award for 2002, and wish her success in the national competition to be held in May, and in her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Star Wallin and her family, be forwarded to the Principal of Hattiesburg High School, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.