When Hannah Mueller of Adams first started volunteering in kindergarten, she didn’t know she would receive an award for her efforts, especially not from President Barack Obama.

Hannah, 16, of Austin and a member of Mower County 4-H was honored for her large amount of volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

“Just knowing that I got that is pretty exciting,” Hannah said.

“It looks really good on resumes for colleges and jobs,” she added. “It’s cool just getting the letter because it’s from the president so it has the official White House stamp on it. It’s pretty cool to look at.”

The award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, and was granted by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of President Barack Obama for national honors this fall. Hannah filled out an application and was recognized for her volunteer service. She has over 100 hours of volunteer service with her school, Southland Public Schools, and 4-H and has volunteered with different summer camps as a counselor, activities with young children through 4-H, the blood drive at school, Toys for Tots, Relay for Life and the 4-H haunted house, to name a few.

She is also involved in student council at her school, the livestock superintendent with 4-H, the Mower County 4-H Ambassador program and some sports.

“[I volunteer] during my spring and summer and weekends,” she said.

Mower County 4-H Program Coordinator Kristin Krell said Hannah has always been into volunteering during 4-H and was excited to see Hannah receive this award.

“It was a great way for her to be recognized for all the work that she does in her community,” Krell said.

Although Krell said many awards are good and recognize good things students do, she was glad this award showcased Hannah’s hard work with helping others and giving up her time to help those she’s volunteering for.

“Hannah deserves the award beccause not only is she a team player in everything she does in 4-H, but she’s also a leader and knows how to work hard and encourage others in her team,” Krell said.

She hopes others will learn through this experience and see that volunteer hours do count and anyone can volunteer.

Hannah started volunteering in kindergarten with her family, and never stopped.

“I really liked helping out kids and just seeing people smile,” she said.

Hannah plans to go into law enforcement, following her father and brother’s footsteps, and hopes to continue helping people through that. She has learned a lot through her volunteer work, but one thing stuck out to her the most.

“That I do make a difference,” she said. “And no matter what there’s always that one person that’s influenced by something I did.”

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle-level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.

Prudential Spirit of Community Award applications were distributed nationwide last September through middle-level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and HandsOn Network affiliates. Besides the President’s Volunteer Service Awards, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.