Elizabeth Ryan is Kingsford High School’s nominee for the Prudential Spirit of Community state award.

KINGSFORD – Elizabeth Ryan was named the Kingsford High School Volunteer of the Year in the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.

She is the daughter of Adam and Kristy Ryan of Breitung Township.

The honor was granted as part of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide youth volunteer recognition program sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

By selecting Ryan as its top youth volunteer, Kingsford High School has advanced her application for state-level judging in the 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Prudential will announce Michigan’s top youth volunteers of the year in February.

Ryan has logged more than 400 hours of community service during her time in high school. She has spent much of this time volunteering at a local homeless shelter, the Light at the Inn.

KHS students Leah Hunter, left, and Kane Driscoll received Prudential Spirit of Community certificates of merit.

” I have seen how poverty has affected families and wanted nothing more than to help,” she said. “Just seeing what it does to families and the surrounding community was enough for me to want to have a place in this great organization.”

Ryan has been recognized for her superb academics by consistently being listed on the honor roll. She is a member of the Kingsford High School Band, National Honor Society, and has been named AP Student of the Month in computer science principles. She spends a great deal of time outside of school volunteering on mission trips and helping out at her church.

After graduation, Elizabeth plans to attend either Albion College or Michigan State University to study computer science.

“We are pleased to recognize and honor Elizabeth Ryan as the Kingsford High School nominee for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award for the 2019-2020 school year,” Principal David Holmes said.

“Elizabeth exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism and service to our community through her efforts as a volunteer at a local rotating homeless shelter, A Light at the Inn,” he said. “Elizabeth’s efforts along with her family and other volunteers have been an essential part of this program continuing in our community. In addition, Elizabeth is a model student at school. She is well respected by her classmates, and highly regarded by her teachers.”

Kingsford High School also recognized Leah Hunter and Kane Driscoll for their exemplary volunteer services with Prudential Spirit of Community certificates of merit. “Thank you to all students who applied; we are proud of your accomplishments,” Holmes said.

As a local honoree, Ryan now is in the running to be named one of two Prudential Spirit of Community State Honorees for Michigan. State honorees receive a $1,000 award and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for several days of special recognition events.