Sarah Laible, 17, of Lehighton has been named as a distinguished finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, now in its 24th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Laible, a member of the American Red Cross of Eastern Pennsylvania and a home-schooled senior, is the founder of “Kids Gone M.A.D.,” an organization that helps teenagers get involved in their local community through volunteering. Completing more than 1,800 volunteer hours in the past six years, Sarah has organized three 5K fundraising races and nine blood drives, and has helped distribute Operation Christmas Child boxes to children in Madagascar. Laible will receive an engraved bronze medallion for her community service activities.

Laible joins seven other distinguished finalists from the state as well as the high school and middle level state honorees.

“These young volunteers learned and demonstrated that they can make meaningful contributions to individuals and communities through their service,” said Prudential CEO Charles Lowrey.

“It’s an honor to recognize their great work, and we hope that shining a spotlight on their service inspires others to consider how they might make a difference.”

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of Points of Light’s HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award. These local honorees were then reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected state honorees and distinguished finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.

“Each of these honorees is proof that students have the energy, creativity and unique perspectives to create positive change,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. “We commend each of the 2019 honorees for their outstanding volunteer service, and for the invaluable example they’ve set for their peers.”