SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mia Herrera, 18, of Albuquerque and Hannah Johnson, 11, of Angel Fire today were named New Mexico's top two youth volunteers of 2019 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. As State Honorees, Mia and Hannah each will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where they will join the top two honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 students will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2019.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 24th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

These are New Mexico's top youth volunteers of 2019:

High School State Honoree: Mia HerreraNominated by Bosque School

Mia, a senior at Bosque School, responds to medical and trauma calls as a certified medic with her school's Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program, teaches other students how to be emergency medical technicians, coordinates community volunteer opportunities for other MRC members, and raised money for the MRC program by selling a self-published poetry book. Mia had been interested in the MRC program from the time she was in middle school, but an incident her freshman year convinced her she had to get involved. "My mom fell off a chair right in front of me and hit her head on concrete," she explained. "I didn't know how to help my mom before the EMS arrived. After this incident, I never wanted to feel helpless again."

She took a comprehensive first responders course, passed a national exam, obtained a license and joined her school's student-run MRC program. Over the past two years, she has tended many times to fellow students who needed medical attention, doing things like checking vital signs, cleaning cuts, administering asthma medications and testing for concussions. When she became MRC co-president last year, Mia began creating and teaching EMT lesson plans at biweekly meetings attended by approximately 30 students and arranging for fellow MRC members to volunteer at community events such as health care fairs, first-aid courses and roller derby competitions. In addition, Mia has donated to MRC hundreds of dollars earned from the sale of her recently published book of poetry. She had first posted her poems – a different one each day for a whole year – on her Instagram page in place of her own photos, in hopes of inspiring other young people to change the way they use social media.

Middle Level State Honoree: Hannah JohnsonNominated by Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails

Hannah, a fifth-grader at Eagle Nest Elementary School, took on a project to warn residents of her town about dangerous weather conditions, and also collected supplies for a firefighting crew battling a nearby wildfire. Hannah's "Weather Awareness" project began when she realized last year that many people in her area were unaware that dry conditions had necessitated a fire ban. She printed fliers about the ban and posted them at the post office and local businesses. She subsequently posted fliers about the possibility of flash floods, strong winds and lightning strikes, and included information on how residents can keep track of hazardous weather and local road conditions. After speaking with her town's fire chief, Hannah also purchased a red flag for his department to warn the public about wildfires.

When a fire did break out in a neighboring town, Hannah started collecting supplies for firefighters being housed at her school. She set up a table in front of a local store and passed out a list of needed items to shoppers passing by. After they had bought and donated bottled water, toiletries, T-shirts and other supplies, Hannah filled her mother's car and delivered them to her school. "Collecting supplies for the firefighters and seeing the smiles on their faces was one of my favorite moments," she said.

Distinguished Finalists

The program judges also recognized two other New Mexico students as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities. Each will receive an engraved bronze medallion.

These are New Mexico's Distinguished Finalists for 2019:

Richard Sanchez, 18, of Santa Rosa, N.M., a senior at Santa Rosa High School, serves as a volunteer firefighter and first responder for his city's fire department, and has encouraged friends to join the department, as well. He advanced from his initial role as a junior firefighter when he turned 18, has been certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and completed training in hazardous materials, blood-borne pathogens, vehicle extractions and other emergency management topics.

Keely Stockham, 17, of Farmington, N.M., a senior at Farmington High School, has raised $25,000 for the American Cancer Society over the past nine years by hosting lemonade stands for several days during the summer, drawing customers and donors from all over her city through news coverage, social media, email, fliers and brochures. She is turning over her operation to a young helper after she graduates from high school this year.

"These young volunteers learned and demonstrated that they can make meaningful contributions to individuals and communities through their service," said Prudential CEO Charles Lowrey. "It's an honor to recognize their great work, and we hope that shining a spotlight on their service inspires others to consider how they might make a difference."

"Each of these honorees is proof that students have the energy, creativity and unique perspectives to create positive change," said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. "We commend each of the 2019 honorees for their outstanding volunteer service, and for the invaluable example they've set for their peers."

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. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of Points of Light's HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award. These Local Honorees were then reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.

While in Washington, D.C., the 102 State Honorees – one middle level and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia – will tour the capital's landmarks, meet top youth volunteers from other parts of the world, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. On May 6, 10 of the State Honorees – five middle level and five high school students – will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2019. These National Honorees will receive additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice.

Since the program began in 1995, more than 125,000 young volunteers have been honored at the local, state and national level. The program also is conducted by Prudential subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India, China and Brazil. In addition to granting its own awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program also distributes President's Volunteer Service Awards to qualifying Local Honorees.

For information on all of this year's Prudential Spirit of Community State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists, visit http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student's potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council. Learn more at 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 www.news.prudential.com.

For Spirit of Community Awards program logo and medallion graphics, please visit https://spirit.prudential.com/resources/media

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