Bethel's Connor Williams receives President’s Volunteer Service Award
Connor is seen here with 1040i President, Mike Cousineau, and his Ivorian friend, Moses, in Côte d'Ivoire. Submitted photo.
Connor Williams, 17, of Kinston, a student at Bethel Christian Academy, has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a 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 granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Bethel Christian Academy nominated Connor for national honors this fall in recognition of his volunteer service.
Connor was recognized for his mission work in Côte d'Ivoire of Africa along with significant volunteer and service hours in his hometown of Kinston, NC, and surrounding community through opportunities made available to him by his school, Bethel Christian Academy, and his church, Bethel FWB Church, in Kinston, NC.
BCA’s Principal Doug Phillips says, “We are proud of Connor being recognized for his service to others and to the Lord Jesus Christ.”
In its 25th year, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.
Connor is seen here escorting children from a village after Kids Fest in Côte d'Ivoire. Submitted photo.
“Across the United States, young volunteers are doing remarkable things to contribute to the well-being of the people and communities around them,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO Charles Lowrey. “Prudential is honored to celebrate the contributions of these students, and we hope their stories inspire others to volunteer, too.”
“Demonstrating civic responsibility through 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.”
Prudential Spirit of Community Award application details were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Points of Light Global Network members. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging. In addition to granting President’s Volunteer Service Awards, The Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including initiative, effort, impact, and personal growth.
