Video: Tupelo Teen Gets Honored For Acts Of Kindness

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Tupelo teenager is named one of the top youth volunteers in the nation and now, as WCBI’s Allie Martin reports,  he has been nominated to represent the city as it is in the running for a national honor.

On Monday, Shields Haire was called to the office at Tupelo Middle School for a great reason as Principal Kristy Luse recognized the eighth grader as one of two winners in Mississippi of the “Prudential Spirit of Community Award.”

“I just thought it was amazing,” Haire said.

The 14 year old star student was nominated because of his efforts to help the community a tornado tore through his neighborhood on April 28, 2014.

Shields designed and sold t shirts to raise money for four churches damaged or destroyed in the tornado.  The shirts raised nearly $8,000 for the houses of worship.

Principal Luse says she was not surprised Shields took top honors.

“He’s a leader among his peers , he’s a member of a lot of student groups, he’s a very very driven academic student and so something he did for the community above and beyond what he has for his responsibilities is kind of a thing that speaks to who he is,” Dr. Luse said.

During Monday’s brief ceremony,  Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton had another honor for Shields.  He has been nominated for the All America City Youth Award.  Tupelo is in the running for its fifth All America City title, and Shields was the choice to represent the city’s young people.

“What set Shields apart is the community spirit and taking the initiative to raise money for the city of Tupelo for churches , charitable causes after the tornado, then went himself and donated 2 thousand dollars to each of the different charities,” Mayor Shelton said.

Shields is excited about the new honor but he is even more excited when he hears how his actions have motivated his friends.

“They’re planning on selling shirts to give money to St Jude. I think it’s awesome I’m able to be a model to somebody,” he said.

And his peers in 8th grade math class are cheering on their friend.

In all, 102 teenagers won the Prudential Award.  A group from Tupelo will compete for All America City honors in June and that’s when we will also know how Shields did in the youth competition.