Canyon High School senior Jordan Krestul was named a distinguished finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which annually recognizes the top youth volunteers across the nation, officials said Wednesday.

Krestul, a 17-year-old from Canyon Country, is one of nine students to be named a distinguished finalist from the state of California.

“It really means a lot to me because I’m being recognized for the hard work that I’ve put in Code Read,” said Krestul. “Being recognized allows me to hopefully inspire others in my community to also do good in the community.”

The high school student was recognized for his work running the nonprofit “Code Read,” which seeks to increase literacy and foster a lifetime passion for reading among elementary school students in low-income communities, according to Prudential officials.

Code Read was previously founded by Jordan’s older sister, McKenzie Krestul.

“Jordan is running Code Read this year since Mackenzie is away at college in New York,” said Krestul’s mother, Amanda Krestul.

Once Jordan also leaves for college in the fall, he plans to give his younger sister a chance to run the nonprofit.

“She’s quite a bit younger than me, but she’s learned quite a bit from myself and my older sister,” Krestul said. “We think she’s ready to take charge with the help of my parents.”

Krestul has hosted fundraisers, assemblies and book fairs, as well as recruited volunteers and managed book supplies. In doing so he was able to provide roughly 5,000 children with free books, according to Prudential officials.

“When I go to college, I’m hoping to start a new chapter there and hopefully have it spread across the country,” Krestul said. “My sister is also planning on starting a chapter at her school in New York.”

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognizes students across the nation for their exceptional commitment to volunteer work in their communities.

The program selects two students from each state and the District of Columbia as “State Honorees” and also acknowledges any number of distinguished finalists.

In total, 234 students were recognized as distinguished finalists across the nation, according to Prudential officials.

Each distinguished finalist is expected to receive an engraved bronze medal celebrating their accomplishment.

The state honorees from each state consist of one high school student and one middle level student.

Each of the state honorees is awarded with $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C in May.

While in Washington D.C., the honorees are scheduled to attend four days of national recognition events, one of which will feature the naming of 10 students as America’s top youth volunteers of 2019.

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