The Wheatley School is proud to announce that Viraj Jayam was named as one of the top runners-up in the 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. This is an important recognition of Viraj’s impressive work.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Points of Light Global Network members, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award.
These Local Honorees were then reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, effort, impact, and personal growth.
Viraj, a Wheatley junior, founded “Helping Hands Long Island,” through which he uses 3-D printing to create tailored prosthetics for people in need. Viraj learned how to operate the technology and partnered with another prosthetics charity organization to provide prosthetics to people in India, Nepal, and Mexico. Viraj was inspired to start this project after his childhood friend from India lost an arm in a factory accident.
Congratulations to Viraj for this important recognition who will receive an engraved bronze Distinguished Finalist medallion at an upcoming Board of Education meeting.
Submitted by the East Williston School District
