Seeking student volunteers

The Alabama Department of Education is seeking nominees for the 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for student volunteers. In February, the state's top two candidates--one each from middle school and high school--will win $1,000 and an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in May.

From there, they could become one of 10 national honorees eligible for $5,000 cash, crystal trophies for their schools and $5,000 grants for the nonprofit or charity of their choice.

Alabama's 2007 winners were Zachary Woolley, now 17, from Shelby County, who raised money for cerebral palsy, and Lindsey Jones, now 11, from Madison County, who raised money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for life.

Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals have honored more than 75,000 youth volunteers since 1995.