Yuma youth honored in Washington, D.C.

  A Yuma youth was among 100 nationwide honored for their volunteerism at an awards ceremony and dinner reception Sunday in Washington, D.C.

  Kaycee McNutt, 13, a student at Castle Dome Middle School, was presented a 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Award in the 13th annual award ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

  Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards were established 13 years ago by Prudential Financial Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models.

  McNutt devoted more than a year to training a puppy to be a guide dog for a blind person and also has volunteered each week at Desert Veterinary Clinic. A longtime animal lover and pet owner, she said she decided to become a guide dog trainer after a teacher at her school brought his puppy to class and talked about the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization.

  Prudential Financial announced earlier this year that McNutt had been chosen for the honor. She traveled to the nation's capital last weekend with her parents for the ceremony, at which she and other recipients received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

  In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions.

  One other Arizonan, Kaitlyn Mulhollan of Chandler, received the award for 2008.

  "Kaitlyn and Kaycee are inspiring examples of young Americans who care deeply about the needs of others and who have taken the initiative to help meet those needs," Prudential chairman Arthur F. Ryan said in a news release. "By honoring them, we hope not only to give them the recognition they so richly deserve, but also to inspire others to follow their example."