Samantha Cunha, a senior in Health Careers, was nominated as the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District Volunteer of the Year in the 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program. Samantha was recognized for making and donating 300 hats for newborns at St. Luke’s Hospital. She has earned the Prudential Spirit of Community Achievement Certificate.

Also recognized for their community service were Jonathan Rabelo, a senior in Electronics, for creating a memorial for children at St. Bernard’s Church in Assonet; and Travis Ouellette, a junior in Computer Information Systems, for working with the Best Buddies Challenge, Special Olympics Braveheart Awards and Walk to End Alzheimers Organization. Rabelo and Ouellete have earned the Prudential Spirit of Community Merit Certificate.

The certificates were awarded to the students at the District School Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards recognize outstanding community service by young Americans. Cunha is now eligible for the Massachusetts Youth Volunteer of the Year awards. Two state honorees, one middle level and one high school student will be named in February. Each will receive a $1,000 award, a silver medallion and a trip to Washington, D.C. for recognition ceremonies in May. Other honorees will receive bronze medallions or certificates of excellence.

At the Washington event, ten national honorees will be named and each will receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for his or her school or organization and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of his or her choice.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, Hands On Network (generated by the Points of Light Institute) and many other national youth, service and education organizations.