Russell’s Knupp named a top runner up.

Richie Knupp, a senior at Russell High School, has been named one of the top runners-up in the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in Kentucky.

Knupp is the son of Ellen and Matt Knupp.

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 Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCA's and affiliates of Points of Light's HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student 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.

While in Washington, D.C. the 102 State Honorees-one middle level and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia-will tour the capital's landmarks, meet top youth volunteers from other parts of the world, attend a gala awards ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. 

On May 6, 10 of the State Honorees-five middle level and five high school students-will be named America's top youth volunteers of 2019. These National Honorees will receive additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies and $5,000 grants from the Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice. 

Since the program began in 1995, more than 125,000 young volunteers have been honored at the local, state and national level.

The program also is conducted by Prudential subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India, China, and Brazil.  In addition to granting its own awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program also distributes President's Volunteer Service Awards to qualifying Local Honorees