2 Anne Arundel County Teens Win Spirit Of Community Award

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Two teens from Anne Arundel County have been recognized for spearheading projects that support their communities. Two state winners, including one from Annapolis, and a distinguished finalist from Hanover, were named Tuesday by The Prudential Spirit of Community award program. Across the country, two state winners and two from the District of Columbia were announced, along with those who are distinguished finalists.

Students in grades fifth through 12th who demonstrate outstanding volunteer service can apply. Led by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, it is the largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.

Each of the 102 state honorees will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2020.

The 234 students nationwide named distinguished finalists will receive an engraved bronze medallion. Almost 450 other applicants were awarded certificates of excellence for their volunteer work.

State Honorees
Jander Kugelman, New Market
Olivia West, Annapolis

Distinguished Finalists
Mackenzie Calloway, Hanover
Gabriella Chalker, Sparks
Isabelle Choi, Laurel
Dhruv Pai, Potomac
Karina Vasudeva, Chevy Chase
Arthur Wang, Columbia

Olivia West, 13, is a member of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and an eighth grader at Magothy River Middle School. She organized the planting of native grasses at a nearby beach to help prevent sand erosion, contain the spread of invasive species and reduce storm runoff pollution in the Magothy River.

“Ever since I can remember, I have gone to Lake Claire Beach to relax and be with family,” West told Prudential.

But eventually, the size of the beach shrunk and invasive plants were taking over. A community effort to replenish sand and replant native grasses had been unsuccessful, so when West learned that the Cape St. Claire Improvement Association was planning to replant vegetation in a 150-square-foot buffer zone at the beach, she volunteered to lead the project.

Mackenzie Calloway, 17, of Hanover, a senior at North County High School, regularly volunteers hours of her time at Hospice of Chesapeake. She voluntarily completed training to work directly with hospice patients, offering support and companionship during the last stage of their lives. Calloway intends to continue this volunteer project as a way to give back to her community and hopes to become a heart surgeon one day.