SNOQUALMIE — Mount Si High senior Paul Gordon was

recently honored with the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

The program recognizes young people for their outstanding acts

of volunteerism in their community. More than 20,000 high school

and middle school students were considered for the award, but only two

were chosen from each state to receive a $1,000 award, a silver medallion

and an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. in May.

“I’m just excited and ecstatic,” Gordon said. “I remember

walking into [Principal George] Ilgenfritz’s office and he read me my award. It

was unbelievable.”

Then, on May 8, ten of the 104 state honorees will be named

as America’s top ten youth volunteers of the year. These students will

receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion and a crystal trophy.

“It’s an honor to be selected for such an award,” Gordon said.

“It’s exciting to go with 104 other students to Washington D.C. and hear

what other students have done around the country.”

Gordon was chosen for his extraordinary efforts in raising funds for

local liver transplant patients. He has already helped two youths

receive their needed medical treatment and hopes that the Paul Gordon

Children’s Fund will be able to assist many more children in the future.

The teen’s involvement with the cause began several years ago

when he heard that Eric Graeves of Issaquah needed money for a liver

transplant. After that, Gordon joined a group that was working on Eric’s cause and

became heavily involved in the planning and preparation for

various fundraising events.

“Being a part of Eric’s life has really taught me the value of our

humanity and what a great joy it is to give to others,” Gordon said.

Gordon also travels across the country as the teen spokesman for

the National Transplant Assistance Fund where he tells teens about the

importance of organ donation.