February 24, 2016
JACKSON, Miss. – Two Mississippi students are among a select group of students nationwide who have been recognized as top youth volunteers for 2016 in the 21st annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. More than 29,000 young people across the country participated in this year’s program.
Lindsey Meyer, 17, of Pass Christian High School, and Jameshia Attaway, 12, of Carver Elementary School in Indianola, have been selected as Mississippi’s top youth volunteers this year. As state honorees, each will receive a $1,000 award, an engraved silver medallion, and a trip to Washington, D.C., for the program’s national recognition events April 30-May 3.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, are designed to emphasize the importance of service to others and to encourage all young Americans to contribute to their communities.
Lindsey planned a “sensory friendly” movie presentation at a local theater for people with autism or other special needs, after learning that most people with these disabilities are denied this simple pleasure because they may not be able to sit still or stay quiet for an entire movie. "Working at a summer camp for children with special needs broadened my perspective on the limitations society sets for these people," said Lindsey.
When she read on social media about a child with autism and his family being removed from a movie theater after he had an excited outburst, she wanted to do something. "A dark theater flooded with booming sound, over-stimulating advertisements, and the overwhelming struggle to remain still and silent can result in pain and anxiety for people with special needs," she said.
She first contacted several local theaters to propose a special showing of a family-friendly film. To be sensory friendly, she explained, there could be no commercials or previews beforehand, the lights must be left on, the sound turned down, and the audience allowed to move about, talk, clap, and even sing. Only one theater would even consider her idea. After several meetings with the theater's management, her persistence paid off. Lindsey then trained a team of volunteers to help monitor the event, posted a movie flier on social media, and reached out to the special needs community for support. It wasn't long before she heard from organizations, schools, and homes for special needs individuals eager to reserve seats. The theater's management has now agreed to host a sensory friendly movie each month.
Jameshia celebrates her birthday each year by throwing a party for children in need and giving them gifts she collects from businesses, local organizations and community members. When Jameshia was 8 years old, she noticed that a girl in her school wore shoes with holes in them.
"Children made fun of her," said Jameshia. "I told my mother that I wanted to buy her a pair of new shoes."
She then realized that many other kids were in need of help, too, while every year she was "overwhelmed" with birthday gifts. So she decided that she could "put on a smile on my face and theirs" by giving her gifts away.
Since then, Jameshia starts preparing every November for a birthday party to which she invites children in need. She writes letters to local businesses and civic groups to garner donations of toys and food, and contacts agencies that provide services for people in need. She also asks family and friends to make gift boxes, teachers to read to children who attend the party, and her mother's friend to dress up as a princess.
The hardest part, Jameshia said, used to be finding a place large enough to hold the party, but the mayor of her town now allows her to host the event in a city-owned building. She estimates that about 40 local families benefit from her project every year. In addition to her annual party, Jameshia participates in a wide variety of community service projects with her school's PTA, the Indianola Youth Council and a mayor's diversity council.
“I congratulate the students who earned this national recognition. The parents, schools and communities should be proud of these young people and the heart and hard work they put into these projects,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education.
Four other students from Mississippi have been named distinguished finalists for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and will receive bronze medallions:
- Cara Barker, 17, of Petal High School
- Katherine Clay, 17, of Madison Central High School
- Pranav Jaligam, 14, of Rosa Scott School
- Liz Sprabery, 16, of Southeast Lauderdale High Schoo
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519