BHS's Molly Runner One of Two Youth Volunteers in State Honored Nationally for Community Service Work
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on February 12, 2021 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Molly Runner, 18, a senior at Bridgeport High School, has been named West Virginia’s top youth volunteers of 2021 by The Prudential Spirit 
of Community Awards, America’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer service.
of Community Awards, America’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer service.
Runner was one of two from West Virginia to be honored.
As State Honorees, Runner will each receive a $2,500 scholarship, a silver medallion and an invitation to the program’s virtual national recognition celebration in April, where 10 of the 102 State Honorees will be named America’s top youth volunteers of the year. Those 10 National Honorees will earn an additional $5,000 scholarship, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their nominating organization and a $5,000 grant for a nonprofit charitable organization of their choice.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, conducted annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), honors students in grades 5-12 for making meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service.
Runner helped to organize a suicide prevention club and program at BHS and to develop a free after-school mental health support group for teenagers. Runner's first experience with suicide occurred when her uncle took his own life in 2014. Mindful of the challenges of mental health issues like depression and anxiety, she was determined to find a way to help. After sharing her thoughts with her closest friends, they obtained permission to form their school’s first suicide prevention club.
As a club leader, Runner sought training to learn as much as possible about suicide prevention, and interviewed students and conducted research to set the club’s agenda. In 
weekly club meetings, she leads discussions on topics such as anxiety, depression, grief, stress, resilience and local agencies that offer support.
weekly club meetings, she leads discussions on topics such as anxiety, depression, grief, stress, resilience and local agencies that offer support.
In addition, the club partnered with a local mental health professional to develop a free after-school group counseling program for teens, and provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ and other youth dealing with difficult issues. Runner also was the key organizer of West Virginia’s first mental health fair, involving more than 100 agencies and vendors from across the state.
“It is difficult to describe what it feels like to save a life,” said Runner. “This organization has allowed me to experience that on a regular basis.”
Editor's Note: Top photo is of Molly Runner, while she's show in the middle of the second photo with friends Corinne Lalama, left, and Dakota Swiger. Bottom photo is of The Prudential Award. Photos courtesy of Trina Runner.
