[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 151 (Monday, November 3, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11612-S11613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATIONS TO MEAGAN CORLIN AND ALIA SZOPA

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to 
congratulate two outstanding youths, Meagan Corlin and Alia Szopa, who 
are the 1997 honorees from New Hampshire for the Prudential Spirit of 
Community Awards. These awards, sponsored by the Prudential Insurance 
Co. of America in partnership with the National Association of 
Secondary School Principals, honor outstanding, self-initiated 
community service by young people in middle and high school grades.
  The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, the country's largest 
youth recognition program based solely on community service, were 
created in 1995 following a nationwide survey of high school students. 
The survey indicated that while 95 percent of teenagers believe 
community volunteer work is important, a large proportion don't know 
how to get involved and lack role models that could inspire them to 
seek out volunteer opportunities. As a former high school teacher, I am 
well aware of the importance of empowering students with volunteer 
opportunities.
  Meagan and Alia have both created innovative community service 
programs to serve various needs in their respective communities.
  Meagan Corlin, from Strafford School in Center Strafford, NH, created 
a reading program called Story-time on the Road to share her love of 
books with others. She uses her title as Miss New Hampshire Pre-Teen to 
promote her program to day care centers, libraries, elderly housing 
facilities, and homeless shelters. Each week, she and several of her 
schoolmates travel to these various locations in order to read stories 
to children or to the elderly.
  Alia Szopa, from Central High School in Manchester, NH, created a 
dance program called Legato for pre-teen

[[Page S11613]]

girls with developmental disabilities. Her program works in conjunction 
with the Moore Center, an agency serving the disabled, to provide 
training for dance instructors who will teach the children at the 
center. One hour each week, from November to June, Szopa and five other 
instructors teach basic dance to five students.
  School honorees are judged by State selection committees, which name 
the top middle-level and high school volunteer in each State. These 
State-level honorees receive a silver medallion, $1,000 and a trip to 
Washington, DC with a parent or guardian, for several days of national 
recognition events in May. Also, in May, America's top 10 youth 
volunteers for 1998 are chosen from the State-level honorees by a blue-
ribbon national selection panel. These 10 national honorees will be 
announced at a special ceremony at the National Press Club in 
Washington, where they each will receive an additional $5,000, a gold 
medallion and a crystal trophy for his or her school.
  Meagan and Alia have made significant contributions to their 
communities and to the State of New Hampshire. Not only have they 
served their community selflessly, but they have also served as 
inspirational role models to other students. Volunteerism strengthens 
community life as well as enhances the lives of people. I applaud 
Meagan and Alia's dedication and innovation in creating programs to 
serve the needs of citizens in their community. Without these young 
leaders, our country would be lost. It takes a special person to make a 
difference in someone's life. Meagan and Alia are indeed special and 
treasures to their school, the State of New Hampshire and to our 
country.

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