Holy Ghost Catholic School Student Earns Top Middle Level State Volunteer Designation

Tina Walsh, an eighth grader at Holy Ghost Catholic School, has volunteered for three years as an assistant to several therapists at a clinic in Albuquerque specializing in the treatment of children. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, Tina spent several years in her early childhood performing different kinds of therapy. “I came out of all this thinking that I can help children with the challenges they face,” she said. So she offered to volunteer at the clinic that had provided some of her therapy. “I love young children, and wanted to do something where I knew the environment,” said Tina.

At the clinic, Tina gathers items needed for sessions, helps clients with their tasks, and sometimes creates new activities. She is particularly helpful in keeping young children interested and focused during their therapy, encouraging them to work hard and never give up. “I have to make sure tasks and activities are fun and enjoyable,” she said. After each session ends, Tina is responsible for straightening up and getting ready for the next one. “Volunteering has helped me remember how much I had to work to overcome the challenges I faced when I was a child,” she said, and how important is it to “continue trying and not give up.”

State Honorees in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Class of 2021 - the top middle level and high school volunteers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia - were selected for service initiatives completed, at least in part, between the fall of 2019 and the fall of 2020. Selection was based on criteria including impact, effort, initiative and the personal growth demonstrated over the course of the project. Several Distinguished Finalists and runner-ups were also selected in each state, and all qualifying applicants received President’s Volunteer Service Awards.

“It speaks volumes about the character of today’s secondary school students that the Spirit of Community program heard from more than 21,000 applicants this fall - most of them stories of young volunteers overcoming the hardships of a global pandemic to support those in need,” said Ronn Nozoe, Chief Executive Officer, NASSP. “While we’re especially proud to celebrate this year’s 102 State Honorees, NASSP applauds every student who’s found a way to volunteer this past year. You inspire your peers and adults alike to remember that, even in times of crisis, we all have something to give.”

To read the names and stories of all of this year’s State Honorees, visit ​http://spirit.prudential.com

Holy Ghost Catholic School has had four students earn this award and is a small pre-k - 8 Catholic School in South East Albuquerque. Our staff consists of 35 teachers, support staff and our administrators. Our team works to provide our students with a quality academic curriculum that meets the needs of the whole child as individual learners. We do this by providing a strong faith-filled atmosphere and continuing our 65 year tradition of fostering faith, learning, and service through academic achievement, physical development, artistic expression and the demonstration of Catholic values through service.

Our Service Learning program supports one of the four goals of Catholic education: "to teach students to serve others as Jesus did." (​To Teach As Jesus Did,​ USCCB, 1972) Over the last ten years, our 220 students have averaged 7,200 total volunteer service hours per year, in a wide range of activities. Every family tracks their hours of home, school, parish and community service.