Journei Hutchings was recognized for her extensive efforts to involve girls with STEAM programs.
The following is a press release from Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ, Inc:
Journei Hutchings, 16, of Voorhees, a member of the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a Certificate of Excellence from The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Presented annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honors young people across America for outstanding volunteer service.
Certificates of Excellence are granted to the top 10 percent of all Prudential Spirit of Community Award applicants in each state and the District of Columbia.
President’s Volunteer Service Awards recognize Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country.
Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ nominated Journei for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service.
Journei’s goal was to address the issue of the underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math subjects, degrees and careers. She conducted a S.T.E.A.M. workshop, partnering with Rowan University of Osteopathic Medicine.
“My community service project, Self-eS.T.E.A.M. — Journei’s S.T.E.M. Gems, was also my Girl Scout Gold Award Project” Journei said. “I invited girls that represented different schools and socioeconomic groups in southern New Jersey to a full day of hands-on science and art activities in a ‘girls only’ environment. This allowed the girls to participate with confidence and, ultimately, learn more.”
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.
“Prudential is honored to celebrate the contributions of these remarkable young volunteers,” said Prudential chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “By shining a spotlight on the difference they’ve made in their communities, we hope others are inspired to volunteer, too.”
“These students have not only improved their communities through their exemplary volunteer service, but also set a fine example for their peers,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. “Each of their stories is proof of the impact one young person can have when they decide to make a difference.”
Prudential Spirit of Community Award applications were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Affiliates of Points of Light’s HandsOn Network.
These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated local honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging.
In addition to granting Certificates of Excellence and President’s Volunteer Service Awards, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected state honorees and distinguished finalists. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.
