Yuma youth one of two from Arizona to win volunteer award

Kaycee McNutt of Yuma will get to show off a new medallion and take a free trip to Washington, D.C., as one of two Arizona recipients of Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for volunteerism.

The seventh-grader was cited in the nationwide program that honors young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. She devoted more than a year to training a puppy to be a guide dog for a blind person and volunteers each week at an area veterinary clinic.

"I'm really thrilled that Kaycee was chosen," said her mother, Kip McNutt. "We were very shocked because I'm sure that there was a lot of kids that do a lot of great things for their community. When she got recognized for her efforts, it was just a thrill and we're very proud of her."

Kaycee was nominated by her school, Castle Dome Middle School in Yuma.

As a 2008 state honoree, she will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where she will join the top two honorees - one middle level and one high school youth - from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for several days of national recognition events.

"We think the world of her" said her mother. "We couldn't be more proud."

Kaycee will be accompanied to Washington by her mother and her father, William McNutt.

"If the good Lord sees it, she may take the national title as well," her mother said.

Kaycee, an animal lover and pet owner, decided to become a guide dog trainer after a teacher at her school brought his puppy to class and talked about the organization, Guide Dogs for the Blind.

"I really enjoyed working with the pup, and later in the year I decided to attend some monthly meetings with our local guide dog group," Kaycee said in a news release. "The more meetings I made, the more I realized what a great program it was."

Kaycee, who was not available Tuesday for an interview with The Sun, received a puppy to train in October 2006. She has since spent almost every waking hour with Blaze, teaching him to walk on a leash and obey nine verbal commands.

In addition, Kaycee takes Blaze wherever she goes, including public places, to socialize him at a young age.

"Although raising a guide dog takes a lot of time and effort, I feel like I am doing something that can change the life of a blind person for the better," she said.

Kaycee also enjoys working at the Desert Veterinary Clinic every Friday after school, where she cleans floors, kennels and treatment rooms, calms scared animals, helps with paperwork and pitches in wherever else she's needed.

"Over the past 13 years, we've seen an incredible number of young Americans who have selflessly devoted their time and energy to helping others in their communities," said Arthur F. Ryan, chairman of Prudential Financial. "The volunteer work of this year's honorees is as inspiring as any we've seen, and we are honored to recognize the amazing contributions they've made to their neighborhoods, cities and nation."

Kaitlyn Mulhollan, 18, of Chandler, was also awarded the Arizona honor for her volunteer efforts with Habitat for Humanity.

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Stefani Guerrero Soucy can be reached at ssoucy@yumasun.com or 539-6857.