NYLC and State Farm Companies Foundation to Honor the Red Cross Club of Springfield High School

The National Youth Leadership Council and State Farm Companies Foundation have announced the winner of the 2008 State Farm Youth Leadership for Service-Learning Award.

The Red Cross Club of Springfield High School in Springfield, Penn. was started in response to the events of 9/11 and in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. After several bomb threats to the school, teacher Denise Mroz and a crew of students decided to turn their fears into action. The local branch of the Red Cross trained the students in disaster preparedness, terrorism response, and service. The extra-curricular club has offered both direct and informational services to students in the elementary school and to their larger community, from creating and distributing disaster bags to conducting blood drives. Among the causes they have supported are cancer research, autism awareness, and flood and fire relief. Students of a range of abilities and ages are involved and have presented at past Annual National Service-Learning Conferences. As one of the students involved says, "Our goal is to have as many activities service our community in as positive a way as we can." Their future plans include expanding their efforts to neighboring communities.

The State Farm Youth Leadership for Service-Learning Excellence Award
recognizes kindergarten-through-12th-grade service-learning programs
and projects that demonstrate outstanding youth leadership. This year's awards will be presented on April 10th at The 19th Annual National Service-Learning Conference in Minneapolis.

Past Winners:

• Youth Dreamers, 2007
  Baltimore, Md.
• LaBranche Wetland Watchers, 2006
  Destrehan, La.
• Fulton Academy, 2005
  Fulton, Mo.
• P.A.C.T., 2004
  Grand Junction, Colo.
• TraverseNet, 2003
  Wheaton, Minn.
• The Honduras Project (honorable mention), 2003
  Grantsburg, Wis.