Howard County Teen Wins Spirit Of Community Award

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A Columbia teen has been recognized for spearheading a project that supports his community and those abroad. Two state winners and distinguished finalists including Andrew Wang of Columbia, were named Tuesday by The Prudential Spirit of Community award program. Across the country, two state winners and two from the District of Columbia were announced, along with those who are distinguished finalists.

Students in grades fifth through 12th who demonstrate outstanding volunteer service can apply. Led by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, it is the largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.
Each of the 102 state honorees will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2020.

The 234 students nationwide named distinguished finalists will receive an engraved bronze medallion. Almost 450 other applicants were awarded certificates of excellence for their volunteer work.

State Honorees
Jander Kugelman, New Market
Olivia West, Annapolis

Distinguished Finalists
Mackenzie Calloway, Hanover
Gabriella Chalker, Sparks
Isabelle Choi, Laurel
Dhruv Pai, Potomac
Karina Vasudeva, Chevy Chase
Arthur Wang, Columbia

Wang, 15, a freshman at Atholton High School, has participated in a number of fundraising and volunteer activities, including designing and selling shirts to benefit people affected by flooding in Ellicott City, fundraising for the Overseas China Education Foundation to finance the education of Chinese students, and volunteering as a teacher in rural China last summer. Wang also has helped write more than 300 pages of educational materials for students in China.