Prudential Spirit names two top youth volunteers

By Rebecca Keister
PBN Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE – The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a national program honoring middle level and high school students for outstanding volunteer service, has named Marina Palumbo, 17, of East Greenwich, and Cody Clarkin, 14, of Charlestown, the 2013 Rhode Island top youth volunteers.

Palumbo and Clarkin each received a $1,000 engraved silver medallions and a trip to Washington, D.C. where they will join 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country for four days of national recognition events.

Palumbo was honored for making and selling homemade necklaces to support a Haiti school for children and need and for founding a club at her school to increase awareness for those children. Clarkin was recognized for starting a project to restore a flagpole and the area around it in Charlestown’s Ninigret Park.

The awards program is sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals.