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| Superior Teen Honored for Radio Work |
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Superior teen honored on national level for radio work By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian 9 May 2006 Nicholas Schwaderer, a teenager from Superior with a fascination for the world of radio, was honored in Washington, D.C., on Monday and named one of America's top 10 youth volunteers. Schwaderer was stunned but exuberant after receiving the national Prudential Spirit Community Award in a swanky, star-studded ceremony at the International Trade Center. "I feel like I'm on top of the world," the 17-year-old joyfully shouted into the telephone moments after the event. "I just can't believe all of this." Schwaderer won the prestigious award for building an FM radio station at his St. Regis school, which has become an important source of news and entertainment for the rural community of St. Regis. Earlier in the year, Schwaderer won the state award for his effort and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to tour the nation's capital with the other 101 state winners from across the country. Among the state winners was another western Montanan, Ian Lacy, a 14-year-old from Hamilton who produces videos of local events and scenery to share with community members who are homebound or ill. While in D.C. for the recognition ceremony, the top 10 winners were announced. Schwaderer said he never expected he would be among the top honorees, and now, after meeting and traveling with all the state winners since Saturday, he's even more blown away by the distinguished honor. "There are kids here who raised over $10,000 for various projects, and there are so many different, totally awesome projects I can't believe mine was chosen," he said. "I mean these kids here are awesome, they are kids who are going to change the world and I can't believe I'm hanging out with these guys." Schwaderer and the other nine top volunteers will receive a personal award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a crystal trophy and a $5,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of his choice. "This program, this trip, is totally awesome," Schwaderer said. "It's amazingly well-organized and they treat us like royalty. "Last night, we had dinner in the Smithsonian - we had the entire museum to ourselves, the Hope Diamond and everything else. "I hung out with the CEO of Prudential, he's the coolest guy and he's so into this. Ted Danson the actor was there, so was Joey Cheek the Olympic speedskater - it was great." Aside from hobnobbing with the rich and famous, Schwaderer said he was struck by the quality of the events. Meals were unbelievably delicious, and the tables were elegantly adorned with fine linen and china. "You know, you can usually tell the quality of an outfit by how good the desserts are, that's where they usually drop the ball, you know. But the desserts were the tastiest things ever," Schwaderer said. "They handed out all these little glass bottles of Pepsi and Sprite along with wine glasses filled with ice, so you felt like you were at this really ritzy party, and that you were really important." During the awards banquet, Schwaderer said he was too busy eating and talking to think about the top 10 award, and besides, he didn't even think he was in the running. When his name was called, he thought he imagined it. He doesn't even remember what he said in his brief acceptance speech. The event was transformative, he said. "I never thought that highly of myself, but I guess other people think I'm pretty cool," he said. "It's been the greatest weekend of my life, definitely." After a quick stop to visit Montana Sen. Conrad Burns, Schwaderer will head home on Tuesday. He plans to stay in touch with the other young people he's met on the trip - "I'm so inspired by them, each of them is amazing," he said - and start plotting his future. He plans to attend the University of Montana in the fall, where he has earned a scholarship that covers all of his tuition for four years. His goal is to get a master's degree in business administration without any student loans or incurring any debt. "I think I can do it," he said, especially after the confidence boost from his adventure in D.C. "This experience has let me know I can go beyond Montana - that I can expand," he said. "Nothing is limiting me besides myself." The award is conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and was created 11 years ago by Prudential Financial Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since its inception, more than 70,000 young volunteers have been honored on the local, state and national level. Nominations for the 2006 awards programs were submitted last fall by school personnel, Girl Scout councils, 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and volunteer centers associated with the Points of Light Foundation. "Nicholas and Ian exemplify the spirit of community that is so important to the future of our neighborhoods, our towns and our nation," said Arthur Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential. "By honoring them, we hope not only to give them recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example." |
