[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S6850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMENDING THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD HONOREES

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I recognize Sonide Blanchard 
and Jeffrey Lawson for being selected as two of the Nation's top youth 
volunteers in the eighth annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. 
This is an extraordinary honor. More than 24,000 young people across 
the country were considered for this recognition this year.
  The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, created by Prudential 
Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary 
School Principals, NASSP, constitutes America's largest youth 
recognition program based exclusively on volunteerism. The awards are 
designed to emphasize the importance that our Nation places on service 
to others and to encourage young Americans of all backgrounds to 
contribute to their communities.
  Sonide Blanchard of Seaford and Jeffery Lawson of Newark have been 
selected as Delaware's top youth volunteers for 2003. As State 
Honorees, each received a $1,000 award, an engraved silver medallion 
and a trip to Washington, DC from May 3, 2003 to May 6, 2003 for the 
program's national recognition events. I am proud that they represented 
the State of Delaware.
  Seventeen-year-old Sonide, a senior at Seaford High School, devotes a 
significant amount of her time to tutoring Haitian students in the 
English as a Second Language, ESL, program at her school. She also 
serves as a translator for both students and adults. When she was 
younger, Sonide began translating for her mother and realized how much 
that helped her. She soon was translating for people throughout the 
Haitian community. ``I feel that I am helping the community rise, and I 
am helping the Haitian people adapt to a new culture,'' she said. 
Later, she was inspired by her French teacher not only to translate, 
but to tutor other students as well. She now spends 2 hours a day 
working with ESL students to help them succeed in school despite their 
limited English skills. Dedication and a strong sense of responsibility 
have been key to her accomplishments.
  Jeffrey Lawson, a 13-year-old seventh grader at St. Edmonds Academy 
in Wilmington, is a peer mentor to second-grade children who are in 
special education. He also volunteers with the Delaware Special 
Olympics. While attending elementary school, Jeffrey volunteered in a 
special education class by reading books to students and giving up his 
recess time to mentor the children. After Jeffrey transferred to a 
private school, he missed the kids with whom he had worked and decided 
to go back and volunteer. Jeffrey was able to volunteer 20 days last 
year. ``Volunteering is important because it teaches kindness and good 
citizenship,'' said Jeffrey. He receives much of his inspiration from 
the children he mentors.
  Today, I rise to congratulate Sonide and Jeffrey. These two 
youngsters are fine examples of community spirit and leadership. They 
serve as role models not only to their peers, but to all of us, as well 
as to the people they've touched through community service.

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