Cleveland Student Recognized for Community Service

Xavier Walsh of Cleveland, was among five Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) students recognized as winners of the 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service.

Xavier, an eighth grader at the online public charter school, was presented a Certificate of Achievement as one of the school’s top volunteers for 2018. As a local honoree, Xavier is now in the running to be named one of two Prudential Spirit of Community State Honorees. State honorees receive a $1,000 award and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for several days of special recognition events. Other state-level honorees will receive bronze medallions or Certificates of Excellence.

For several years Xavier has volunteered for the Renee Jones Empowerment Center, a Cleveland-based non-profit devoted to preventing human trafficking. This year he was named a Youth Ambassador in which he writes and delivers presentations on social media’s role in human trafficking. He also helped to organize the Teen Summit which reaches out to Cleveland area youth to raise awareness of human trafficking and how to identify peers who may be at risk. Xavier also helps with outreach activities to help bring social services directly to people living in poverty.

“The faculty, staff and members of the board at Ohio Connections Academy are so proud of the students and the time and effort they have given to make a positive impact on their communities,” Marie Hanna, OCA Superintendent said. “Each of the students have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and a commitment to making our world a better place – they truly deserve this recognition.”

The other Ohio Connections Academy students who were recognized for their volunteer service include:

• Ava Mossbarger (6th Grade, Beavercreek)
• Isabelle Delorme (12th Grade, Ashtabula)
• Katherine Poorman (11th Grade, North Canton)
• Lenora Bigham (5th Grade, Amanda)

The Prudential Spirit of Community Award program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle school and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, American Red Cross, YMCA, HandsOn Network (generated by the Points of Light Institute) and many other national youth, service and educational organizations. Learn more about the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards at http://spirit.prudential.com.

Ohio Connections Academy is a free, fully-online virtual public school that students in grades K-12 attend from home. OCA delivers high-quality, personalized education for students that combines certified teachers , a proven curriculum, as well as technology tools, and community experiences—online and in person—to create a supportive environment for children who want an individualized approach to education. More information about Ohio Connections Academy is available at www.OhioConnectionsAcademy.com.