Community Corner

Two Hamilton Students Named some of Wisconsin's Top Youth Volunteers

The volunteers are two of only eight young people recognized by the program.

Two Sussex students were recognized as Distinguished Finalists in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.

Adam Hastings, 17, a junior at , has helped to raise funds through annual haunted house events that benefit his former elementary school, St. Gabriel Catholic School.

Hastings, the only young person on the planning group, helps build and construct rooms in the haunted house, and also supervises a crew of 70 actors.

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In addition, 17-year-old Makenzie Muehler, a senior at Hamilton High School, is an active member of her youth group, "Student Life," and has helped raise $2,000 to benefit Project Rescue, a group that fights human trafficking.

Muehler has also gone to Nicaragua on four separate mission trips where she and her fellow youth group members entertain children at a local church.

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"Through their selfless acts of service, these award recipients have greatly improved the lives of others," said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. "We hope their stories and their dedication inspire other young people to do the same."

More than 5,000 Local Honorees were reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.

Both Hastings and Muehler will receive an engraved bronze medallion.


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