Crestwood High School student wins national award for leadership, volunteerism

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans has named local student Derrick Prince of Crestwood High School as a 2021 Billy Michal Student Leadership Award recipient.

The national honor is awarded annually to one student in every state who has maintained a strong record of volunteerism, demonstrates school and community activism and helps implement creative solutions to recognized problems.

Each honoree will be virtually recognized at the Museum's American Spirit Awards program June 18. This is the third time a Crestwood High School student has claimed this prestigious award (Travis Johnson, 2018, and Tayvon Givens, 2019).

The leadership award, which the museum first presented in 2017, was created in honor of Billy Michal, who was a child living in Louisiana during World War II. At only 6 years old, Michal helped his one-room school win a statewide scrap metal-collection contest during the war, proving that every citizen could contribute to victory. Michal's achievement demonstrated the positive impact the American spirit could have on the Home Front war efforts, and he continues to inspire students across America today.

"It's extremely gratifying to recognize students throughout the nation for the wonderful contributions they make to their local communities," said Stephen J. Watson, president and CEO at The National WWII Museum. "During World War II, our country needed everyone to come together for a common goal of securing freedom and democracy around the world. Much like Billy Michal's contribution over 75 years ago, our student honorees prove that their positive actions, no matter how big or small, can make a difference in their communities. We are proud to honor their accomplishments."

Determination, community, compassion: three words which impeccably describe Derrick Prince in all aspects of his life. Derrick hails from a military family, his mom currently serving in the United States Air Force.

As a junior, he was a third-year starting linebacker for his school's varsity football team. Similar to many things in life, this school year's football season was thrown for a loop due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the local school system had indefinitely postponed all official workouts and practices due to virus and safety concerns, Derrick helped to organize a voluntary workout with peers from his own school as well as rival schools across the county. Complete with social distancing, facial coverings and community-donated food and materials, several dozen high school athletes came together for an afternoon of athletic camaraderie. This was an afternoon that was in the spirit of Billy Michal's efforts to implement creative solutions to recognized problems in advocating for his school and community.

This same style of leadership earned Derrick game captain status for nearly half of his team's matchups this season. His focus on making his world a better place also consumes his work in the classroom and across his community. What began with a class project "to help others stand up against violence and stay clear of bad situations," Derrick has since created his own clothing brand that reminds his peers to be BRAVE (Be Resilient Against Visual Enemies). Through this work, he exhibits the traits of tolerance, activism and support of each other.

The National WWII Museum's American Spirit Awards - presented by Hancock Whitney - is a multiday event consisting of a patron reception, premier gala and awards luncheon and leadership forum, which is where the Billy Michal students will receive their awards.

In addition to the Billy Michal winners, the recipients of the museum's American Spirit Award, American Spirit Medallion and Silver Service Medallion will be honored throughout the event. The 2021 American Spirit Award honorees include World War II veteran Richard Duchossois, world-renowned presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., PhD., military historian Victor Davis Hanson, PhD., and former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor the Honorable Henry Kissinger.

Proceeds from the American Spirit Awards will support educational programming at The National WWII Museum, including the ongoing development of classroom materials and professional development opportunities for teachers in schools across the country, as well as online experiences that bring the museum and its resources to students around the world.

For American Spirit Awards ticket information and additional event details, visit americanspiritawards.org or call (504) 528-1944, extension 334.