Two South Elgin High students get volunteer awards

Two South Elgin High School students have been recognized for their exemplary volunteer services with a President's Volunteer Service Award. The award was presented by the Prudential Spirit of Community awards program on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Bianca Favia of Bartlett went on a mission trip to Nicaragua to work at an orphanage, install a water line to a small village and deliver food to a refugee community of people who were displaced 10 years ago by Hurricane Mitch. Bianca said the most difficult part of the trip was visiting that refugee community with 500 children, and there was only enough food to feed 100 of the children. Watching the kids who were fenced off from eating was "the saddest most desperate thing I had ever seen." She pledges to return, raising money to bring more aid to the children she met in orphanages in Nicaragua.

Bolatito Soetan of South Elgin was recognized for her volunteer efforts to help a neighbor in need. Her neighbor was left a widow after a tragic car accident. The neighbor was going to have to cut back on her job as a night shift nursing assistant to care for her daughter and mother, which meant she may not be able to afford her home. Bolatito learned how to care for the elderly woman, who had suffered a stroke, and assist the young daughter with homework. Staying overnight allowed her neighbor to keep her night shift job, which paid more than the day shifts. It also helped Bolatito decide that she wants to pursue a nursing career.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Prudential Spirit of Community awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities. Volunteer activities are judged on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.