Staff report

Tess Smith, 18, a senior at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was presented by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Tess participated in the Spirit of Community program this year as a representative of her school. An honor student, she earned her award by volunteering her time for several projects.

She is president of NSA’s chapter of Operation Smile and through Helping Hands Club, she volunteers with the Habitat for Humanity and Head Start in Suffolk.

Smith is the president of the Leaders Club at the Suffolk YMCA and coaches the Gators, a swim team for children ages 5 to 13. She serves as an acolyte at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and also works part-time at the Gardener Store in Suffolk.

&uot;Tess is what I call a true NSA Saint,&uot; said NSA headmaster Shane Foster. &uot;As the headmaster of the Upper School, I am cognizant of the importance of having leaders in the community.

&uot;Tess Smith is a leader that every school wants and needs and she is a role model for the entire community.

Always one to step in and encourage her classmates, Tess willingly helps others in need.&uot;

Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities.

More than 170,000 young people across America have been considered for these awards since the program began awarding them in 1995.