​Brookfield, Connecticut, Emily Lazorchak, Receives President's Volunteer Service Award

Brookfield, Connecticut – Emily Lazorchak, a Senior attending Brookfield High School, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President's Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Brookfield High School nominated Emily for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service.

Emily is extremely dedicated volunteer who she spends a lot of her time serving the town and school district in Brookfield. Some of her volunteer services include but are not limited to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Coordinator for the Town of Brookfield, CT Handy Dandy Handyman Volunteer, Pull List Volunteer for the Brookfield Library, HOBY Volunteer (HOBY--Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership, Connecticut), BHS National Honor Society, Playbill Creator/Editor for the BHS Chorus and Drama.

Emily also participates in many extra-curricular activities such as Spanish Honor Society, Peer Counseling, Math League and Varsity Girls Soccer.

"I cannot think of a student more deserving of this award than Emily Lazorchak," says Brookfield High School Principal Marc Balanda. "I quickly learned last year that when there is an identified school need, our staff and students look to Emily for leadership and her support based on her involvement in so many different clubs, activities, and honor societies. What I learned this year is that Emily's dedication and generosity extends throughout the community by actively contributing to the academic, social and religious well-being of Brookfield residents through her involvement with local organizations. Emily Lazorchak is an outstanding young lady who I am proud to call one of Brookfield High School's finest students.

"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.

"The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities," said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community."

"Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life," said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. "These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate."

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, YMCA’s and HandsOn Network affiliates. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging. In addition to granting President's Volunteer Service Awards on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.

For more information, contact: Brookfield High School: Marc Balanda, Principal – (203) 775-7725