It has been an honor and privilege to be named as a Prudential Spirit of Community Distinguished Finalist. It is especially humbling to receive personal letters from Senator Steve Oelrich and the Florida Governor. Please take a minute and view the letters below. It is exciting to Google my name and discover how many great, powerful business partners have recognized me for this accomplishment. Take a peek:

http://www.caddo.k12.la.us/files/news/National%20Release%20FINAL%20w%20Letterhead.pdf

http://online.barrons.com/article/PR-CO-20110208-905851.html

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110208005166/en/Floridas-Top-Youth-Volunteers-Selected-16th-Annual

http://www.investorpoint.com/stock/PRU-PRUDENTIAL%20FINANCIAL%20INC./news/38283286/

http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=246661&type=newswires

http://hotpz.com/2011/02/top-youth-volunteers-in-each-state-selected-in-16th-annual-national-awards-program/

http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Top+Youth+Volunteers+in+Each+State+Selected+in+16th+Annual+National+Awards+Program/6267090.html

http://southflorida.citybizlist.com/6/2011/2/9/Floridas-Top-Two-Youth-Volunteers-Selected-In-16th-Annual-National-Awards-Program.aspx

http://blog.sabdesi.net/search/miss-nebraska-dress/

http://www.4-traders.com/PRUDENT-FINANCIAL-14113/news/PRUDENT-FINANCIAL-Top-Youth-Volunteers-in-Each-State-Selected-in-16th-Annual-National-Awards-Program-13555266/

http://financial.businessinsider.com/siliconalleymedia.clusterstock/news/read?GUID=17057535

http://www.stockhouse.com/News/USReleasesDetail.aspx?n=8046548

                                    
                            Special Recognition Letters:                   







Some of My Favorite Quotes:

"Belief creates the actual fact." -William James

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." -Theodore Roosevelt ''

"Change your thoughts and you change your world." -Norman Vincent Peale

I am so excited to be representing the State of Florida as the new International Junior Miss Teen Florida this July at the national pageant in Nashville, Tennessee.  I am also excited to document my experiences as I perform my job as IJM Teen Florida and follow the path to nationals.

I have performed over 1600 hours of community service over the past 3 ½ years. Creating Access to Stories (CATS) was a huge success and a project I have been very passionate about. In partnership with “Reach Out and Read Florida” I collected in excess of 2600 books and donated the books to Title I daycare programs in seven counties.  Additionally, it was a pleasure to spend time reading to kids and allowing them to expand their creativity and imagination.

I am a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. “Bless the Vets” is an organization that I founded to educate others about military service. One of the goals of the organization is to promote appreciation and support of our military personnel, veterans and their families. I have created “Thankerchiefs” to distribute to veterans all over our country.   I will soon be seeking publication of a book that contains actual military stories from various war eras.

It is an exciting time. Please continue to follow my blog and share the excitement and all the incredible opportunities that lie ahead!

Catherine Trisch,  IJM Teen Florida