Johnathan Molloy, an 8th grade student at Woodland Middle School, has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with the 2012 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 presented by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Barack Obama. Johnathan Molloy participated in the Spirit of Community program this year as a representative of Woodland Middle School.

Johnathan Molloy displays the President’s Volunteer Service Award he won.                                                Special photo

  Molloy earned this award by completing more than 100 hours of service in support of the WMS Athletic Program and from his hard work with Boys Scouts of America. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities.

  Dr. Terry Oatts, Woodland Middle School Principal, had high praise for Molloy.

 “Johnny epitomizes service in that he thrives on helping others,” said Dr. Oatts. “Whether it is assisting our Athletic Director throughout the year with our various athletic events or just assisting with the success of an array of extracurricular and co-curricular activities, Johnny is always there with a smile as he asks how he can help.”

  Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities. More than 345,000 young people across American have been considered for these awards since the program began in 1995.

  “The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John R. Strangefeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “In recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer service activities, we hope to motivate others to consider

how they can also contribute to their community.”

  “Demonstrating civic responsibility through community 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”.

  Program applications were distributed last September through all public and private middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, and affiliates of HandsOn Network. After local honorees were named, state-level judges selected state honorees, distinguished finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.

  NASSP, based in Reston, Va., is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. Prudential Financial, based in Newark, N.J., provides more than 50 million individual and institutional customers worldwide with life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services.