Apley ’12 Receives National Service Award; Meets Eli Manning

As one of Michigan’s top two youth volunteers of the year, senior Braeleigh Apley was honored Sunday night at the 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in Washington, D.C.

Apley and Shayna Wierenga (of Grand Haven) – along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country – received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from New York Giants quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning at the 17th annual award ceremony, held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

As part of the award, Apley and her parents spent four days in Washington, D.C. attending a variety of recognition events, including meeting with Michigan senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow.

“It is nice of Prudential to honor youth volunteers,” says Apley’s mom MariAnn.  “There are some amazing kids here that did outstanding efforts in their communities and internationally.”

Click here to read full story in The New York Times.