Carle Place High School senior Thomas Vestuto has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a certificate of excellence from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Granted by the program on behalf of President Barack Obama, Vestuto is being recognized with the organization’s highest honor, the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Presented annually by Prudential Financial, with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honors young people across America for outstanding volunteer service.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country. Award recipients are chosen based upon criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth. Vestuto was nominated for this award in part based upon his role and activities as president of the school’s Key Club.
Vestuto said that receiving this award was an incredible honor and that being the Key Club President has taught him how to be a more compassionate person.
“It has really showed me that no matter how bad I think my situation is, there is always someone out there who is in more need than myself. If I have the opportunity to help those people, I should take advantage of it. You never know how your life can be changed just by helping someone in need,” Vestuto said. “Being able to make a difference in the community is something I’m overjoyed that I had the ability to do within my time at Carle Place High School and I hope to continue to make a difference in the next community I go to next year.”
