St. Charles North Student Named Winner of President’s Volunteer Service Award

St. Charles North High School student Claire Miller has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service by being named a recipient of the 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 President Barack Obama. St. Charles North nominated Claire for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service.

In addition to serving as program coordinator of “Make a Difference St. Charles” with the “Feed My Starving Children” Pack Event, Claire also serves as North H.S. Senior Class President and she is also a member of Team Polaris, the Environmental Club, her church youth group, the Fellowship of Christian Students, and is one of two District 303 students serving as liaisons to the District 303 Board of Education Community Relations Committee, according to a news release.

“Claire is a natural leader. One I depend on when stressful events get complicated; and one I know will shape the future of our community and/or country. Claire embodies the qualities inherent in a role model; natural leadership, unshakeable dependability, selfless service to others and deeply felt responsibility to live an authentic life," a teacher of Claire’s writes.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service, according to a District 303 news release.

Award applications were distributed nationwide last September through middle and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and HandsOn Network affiliates. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated local honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging, according to a news release.

In addition to granting President’s Volunteer Service Awards on behalf of President Barack Obama, 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.

Photo via District 303