Henderson teen honored for volunteer work

Monday, May 14, 2001 | 9:38 a.m.

A Henderson teenager was one of two Nevadas honored last week for their volunteer efforts.

Holly Walker, 14, of Henderson, was named one of America's top 10 youth volunteers for 2001 in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., at the International Trade Center.

She received a national Prudential Spirit of Community Award for her outstanding volunteer community service. She was one of nearly 23,000 nominees nationwide.

She received $5,000, an engraved gold medallion and a crystal trophy for her school. In addition, she will have $25,000 in toys, clothing and other juvenile products donated in her name to needy children in her area by Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc., the national charity of the children's products industry.

Walker and Amanda Hendryx, 16, of Round Mountain, also were honored last week as the top middle level and high school youth volunteers in Nevada during a ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, with special tributes from former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Miss America 2001 Angela Perez Baraquio.

At that event, the top two youth volunteers from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were presented with $1,000 awards by Prudential Chairman Art Ryan and National Association of Secondary School Principals President William Grobe. They also received silver medallions and an all-expenses-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for the recognition events.

Walker, an eighth-grader at Thurman White Middle School, launched "Generation Hope," an organization designed to help all children in Nevada who are diagnosed with cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia and other diseases.

After researching factors that make a difference in a child's recovery, Walker began conducting a fund-raising campaign in her school district to buy stuffed teddy bears equipped with taped messages of encouragement for kids diagnosed with a critical illness. She then used her earnings from a summer job to buy materials for 215 handmade gift bags, and recruited friends to decorate and distribute them to treatment centers throughout the state.

Walker also has volunteered at a summer camp for young cancer patients and their siblings.