CFA Student Named Finalist in National Youth Volunteer Program

Fourteen-year-old Riley Strube has been named one of the top runners-up in the 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in AR. Riley is a student at the Cabot Freshman Academy. This prestigious award is part of a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Riley is one of four Arkansas students named as a Distinguished Finalist for her impressive community service activities. Riley started her "Rock and Rollin' Library" last spring. Riley's creation is based on her love of all things from the 1950's and the library that she “rolls” to children. She has collected more than 300 books to create her traveling library and is focused on promoting early literacy at daycares and children's programs. So far, she's reached more than 100 children with her visits.

Donations from family and friends helped create her collection and she's used her own money from birthday gifts and allowances to purchase books. She's also taught several other teenagers how to start similar initiatives. Riley is currently raising money to establish a mobile book trailer. She hopes one day it will become as popular as the summer ice cream truck.

Riley also volunteers for several organizations. Since the first grade, she's volunteered over 100 hours each year to help organizations including, I CAN! dance classes for children with special needs, Youth Corps, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Arkansas Children's Hospital. She'll also be volunteering at the upcoming Cabot Panther Foundation Father/Daughter Ball.

Riley will soon be presented with an engraved bronze Distinguished Finalist Medallion. Due to the number of hours she volunteers, Riley also qualifed for the President's Volunteer Service Award. This award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered signficant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country. Riley received an award certificate and a letter from President Donald J. Trump.

Riley's mom, Andrea Strube, and Cabot Freshman Academy Principal Tanya Spillane, surprised Riley with the awards. We are so proud of you Riley for making a difference every day!

To read the full press release, click HERE.

Congratulations to @CabotFA Riley Strube for being a Distinguished Finalist in The 2018 @Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in AR for her community service. Riley started a traveling library to promote literacy & reading. She even received a letter from @POTUS. @ArkansasEd pic.twitter.com/BReNvf1u4T

— Cabot Public Schools (@cabotsd) February 6, 2018

@CabotFA student Riley Strube started the “Rock and Rollin’ Library to promote early literacy at daycares & children’s programs. She volunteers over 100 hours each year & was just named a Distinguished Finalist in the 2018 @Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in AR. @ArkansasEd pic.twitter.com/vt874bNs8X

— Cabot Public Schools (@cabotsd) February 6, 2018