Port of Los Angeles High School nominated Riley for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service.
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 level students across America for outstanding volunteer service.
"These recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities," said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "By recognizing these student and placing a spotlight on their volunteer activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community."
"Demonstrating civic responsibilty 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 applications were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girls Scouts councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and HandsOn Network affiliates. 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 on behalf of President Barack Obama, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.