Bellarmine College Prep Student Recognized for Volunteer Service; Prudential Financial Honors T.J. Won with Scholarship.

News Editors/Education Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2004

Bellarmine College Preparatory today announced that T.J. Won, 17, of Milpitas and a senior at Bellarmine has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a state-level Certificate of Excellence from the 2004 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Bellarmine nominated him for this award for his involvement and dedication in not only his academic career but also the San Jose community. Presented annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people across America for outstanding community service activities.

T.J. Won earned his award by organizing an after school tutoring program at Plaza Maria Housing Complex. In over 130 service hours since last December, T.J. has improved the structure of the tutoring and activities program and continues to recruit volunteers on a regular basis. He also solicits and has acquired computers and books for the program and coordinated a Christmas toy drive for children at Plaza Maria.

"T.J. has been a model student since he entered Bellarmine as a junior in 2002. Academically he has worked extremely hard and now maintains a 3.96 GPA while taking five AP classes. While his grades and academic prowess are impressive, it is T.J.'s developing character that excites me," said Steve Pinkston, Community Service Director at Bellarmine. "When he came to Bellarmine he jumped in with both feet, involving himself in our theatre productions and community service. He is a caring and giving young man and I support him enthusiastically and without reservation."

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, now in its ninth year, also recognizes the top middle-level and high school volunteer in each state, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia and will name America's top ten youth volunteers in May. Nearly 175,000 young people across America have been considered for these awards since the program began in 1995.

"All of these extraordinary young people exemplify the spirit of community that is so important to the future of our cities, towns and neighborhoods," said Art Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "By honoring them, we hope to not only give them the recognition they so richly deserve but also to inspire others to follow their example."

Program applications were distributed through all public and private middle-level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, Camp Fire USA councils and volunteer centers last September. After local honorees were named, state-level judges selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.

"We believe a thorough education includes many activities that occur outside the classroom," said NASSP Executive Director Gerald Tirozzi. "We're proud of these students because they recognize how important it is to play an active role in their communities by using their skills and talents to benefit others."

About Bellarmine College Preparatory

Bellarmine College Preparatory has been educating young men since 1851, when it was originally founded on the same campus as Santa Clara University. The school has been at its current location on West Hedding in San Jose's College Park district for 78 years. Bellarmine students are educated in the Jesuit tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, and are encouraged to become "men for others." While Bellarmine strives for academic excellence, the school also seeks to instill a sense of responsibility through a variety of community ministry and Christian Service Programs. Bellarmine has a current enrollment of 1450 and a faculty/staff of 150.