Two Catholic school students have been named Hawaii’s top youth volunteers of 2018 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.
Mahealani Sims-Tulba, 17, a senior at Sacred Hearts Academy, and Grace Kennedy, 13, an eighth grader at St. Anthony School in Kailua each will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in late April to Washington, D.C., where they will join the top two honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events.
During the trip, 10 students will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2018.
Sims-Tulba, the high school state honoree, created a nonprofit foundation to address the problem of bullying in schools. After experiencing firsthand the hurtful effects of bullying in the fifth grade, Mahealani wrote the book “It’s Okay to Be Different,” which she used to reach out to other young people.
“I realized that there are many others in the same situation as me,” she said. “I wanted to spread my message of positivity, encouragement, kindness and respect for others.”
Sims-Tulba formed a foundation and started talking to children in schools and libraries about bullying. Her B.R.A.V.E. (Be Respectful and Value Everyone) campaign has reached more than 40,000 elementary, middle and high school students across Hawaii.
She distributes copies of her book and silicon bracelets, participates in numerous community events, created a music video on bullying, has appeared on a weekly television program, and has conducted an annual toy drive for children in need.
Middle school state honoree Kennedy has raised thousands of dollars to benefit sick and abused children as a board member of the Hawaii-based student philanthropic organization Kidz For A Cause. After being introduced to the organization in 2014, she was inspired to help with the group’s fundraising.
“I learned that there are many kids having a really hard time growing up,” she said. “I felt bad for the kids who are sick and abused.”
Kennedy, the daughter of David and Fiona Kennedy, started by selling tickets to a benefit theater show, raising $1,000 to help buy clothes, toys and school books for abused or neglected kids at the Children’s Justice Center on Oahu.
The following year, she recruited friends to help her organize a celebrity chef dinner, where some of Hawaii’s most famous chefs provided a gourmet meal for 100 people. That event generated more than $6,000 to help expand a local hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.
Last year, Kennedy led fellow volunteers in staging a variety concert featuring local singers, dancers and comedians, along with a silent auction, to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House charity.
“It feels great to know I helped the kids in my community,” said Kennedy.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth volunteer service recognition program. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as youth-centered organizations, may nominate a student or member for the honor.
While in Washington, D.C., the 102 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 April 30, 10 state honorees will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2018. Each will receive an additional $5,000, gold medallions, crystal trophies and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice.
