Stone Hill 8th-Grader One of Virginia's Top Two Volunteers

ASHBURN, VA — A boy who managed to make his love for chess a charitable endeavor is one of the two top Virginia youth volunteers, as recognized by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a national organization that honors youths for acts of volunteerism.

Shishir Sriamoju, 14, an eighth-grader at Stone Hill Middle School will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expenses paid trip to D.C. in May.

He began a summer chess club a couple of years ago to teach both unfamiliar players and more experienced players. He set aside three hours a week for instruction, and wound up raising about $1,500 for charities such as the World Health Organization, the Red Cross and Children's National Hospital.

Sriamoju also was able to buy more chessboards for Stone Hill's chess club.

The other winner is Lucia Hoerr, 16, of Charlottesville.

Image via Prudential Spirit of Community Awards