Enumclaw High School student Austin Schuver earns award for water work

Enumclaw High School student Austin Schuver was presented with an engraved bronze medallion to recognize his selection as a Distinguished Finalist for Washington in the 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Enumclaw High School student Austin Schuver was presented with an engraved bronze medallion to recognize his selection as a Distinguished Finalist for Washington in the 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

The presentation was made June 16 during a meeting of the Enumclaw School Board.

Schuver, who will be a senior in the fall, founded “Spring to the Tap,” a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the environmental dangers of bottled water consumption and the benefits of tap water.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, represent the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. All middle and high schools in the U.S., along with all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award last November.

Two state honorees – one middle school student and one high school student – plus a select number of Distinguished Finalists from each state and the District of Columbia, were selected based on criteria like personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.