Bryan County High School student William Anthony Clark, 16, of Pembroke has been recognized with a President’s Volunteer Service Award for his exemplary volunteer service in Bryan County.
"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 Arthur F. Ryan, chairman of Prudential Financial who sponsors the awards. "They truly deserve all of the praise and encouragement we can give them."
Clark participated in the Spirit of Community program this year as a representative of BCHS. He earned his award by helping feed the hungry through the Coalition of Churches Food Bank.
Pembroke First Baptist Church Pastor Brad Butler said Clark has been helping out for somewhere around five years.
"The food bank is not just with our church, but our church is the major player in it," Butler said, noting the bank is open for service on Wednesdays.
"Tony will come up here on Tuesday evenings or early Wednesday mornings, helping out before school starts. He helps prepare bags for the families when they come in."
Butler said Clark’s grandparents are two of the key volunteers who help at the local food bank and Clark, along with his sister and some of their cousins make up the majority of youth volunteers who help out.
Clark has volunteered more than 200 hours.
The award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of time to serve their communities and their country. Clark was presented with the award by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.
"The young people recognized by the Spirit of Community Awards demonstrate an enormous capacity for giving and reaching out to those in need," said Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. "NASSP is proud to honor them as they are wonderful examples of the high caliber of young people in our nation’s schools today."
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 American for outstanding community service activities.
Volunteer activities were judged on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.