West Seattle-raised Zachary Odegard, 14, now of Dallas, Oregon, became the "middle level youth volunteer" in that state for The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Just two students are awarded per state, one from middle-school and one from high school.

He is an eighth-grader at La Creole Middle School and a member of the Polk County 4-H, started “Links of Love to Chains of Hope,” a service club that raised money for needy families, donated items for local troops deployed to Afghanistan, and participated in the national “Pay It Forward Day.” As a leader in his 4-H club, Odegard’s job was to make sure the club completed a monthly community service project. He was Inspired by his mother and grandfather. He asked the West Seattle Herald if he could tell his story, and how his award was due in large part to his grandparents who still live in West Seattle.

By Zachary Odegard

My name is Zachary Odegard. Five years ago I moved from West Seattle to Oregon. My grandparents Duane and Sue Odegard and sister Katie still live in West Seattle. On Feb 8th I was awarded The Prudential Spirit Of Community award for outstanding youth volunteer in Oregon.

I won a silver medal, a thousand dollars and a trip to Washington, D.C. for me and a chaperone. I am taking my Grandpa Duane. My mom, Laura Odegard Smith, has helped me in many ways running me around to all my volunteer activities and she helps me in every way she can. But it was because of her parents, my grandparents, that I have the drive to volunteer within my community.

From stories my mom told me when she was growing up, my grandparents have let their friends stay at their house when they had no place to go. They even let a boy stay with them that they hardly knew. He came to dinner this Thanksgiving and he even said if it wasn't for my grandparents he doesn't know what would have become of him.

My grandfather has cared for a friend that was dying of cancer. They have helped their neighbors and friends in many ways, mowing lawns, helping them move, taking them places, etc. They were especially good caregivers for their parents when they became ill, teaching me about love and respect, and that sometimes carrying for your parents can be quite a challenge. They have taught me compassaion, and it should be recognized because if it was not for them teaching their children compassion then I would have never learned it.

They still teach me many things when I visit. The whole point of the award is selfless, giving and compassion, and that is my grandparents to a T. So because I won this award I think my grandparents should be recognized for their commitment to my mom and her sisters and their dedication to all their grandchildren, teaching us that it's about the giving rather then the receiving that makes your life worth while.

I also would like to regonize my great-grandma Jenny who passed away in March of 2010, because she taught me about love, and to love anyone no matter what. While I will be regonized in Washington, D.C. for my volunteer achievements, it's my grandparents who deserve the award.

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The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level.

The program's goals are to applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. Over the past 15 years, more than 280,000 young Americans have participated in the program, and more than 90,000 of them have been officially recognized for their volunteer work.