'Tunes 4 Troops' Founder Honored
April 23, 2008

"Tunes 4 the Troops" founder Kaylee Radzyminski will receive a Spirit of Community Award from Prudential companies for sending CDs and DVDs to deployed military personnel.

Radzyminski will receive a silver medal Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Cleveland High School Library a week before attending the national finals and gold medal presentation in Washington, D.C.

"Kaylee was a 2007 Bronze Medal winner, but her program had just gotten under way," said Dave Whitaker of Prudential Realty Center. "She has since been featured on the Montel show as well as more local broadcastors, in addition to several appearances in our local newspapers."

There are two silver medals given in each state, one to a middle school student and one to a high school student.

In addition to the silver medal, Kaylee will receive $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., for herself and mother, Stephanie.

The Cleveland High School junior began "Tunes 4 the Troops" as a freshman. Her goal is to send 500,000 CDs and DVDs overseas. To date, she has shipped approximately 180,000 of the discs.

In addition to the Spirit of Community Award, Radzyminski has been accepted to a six-day Summer Seminar at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.

According to her mother, 8,000 to 15,000 prospective midshipmen apply for 1,800 billets. Attending the seminar guarantees her application to the Naval Academy.

"She still has to keep up her grades, score well enough on the SATs and get letters of recommendation from Congressman Wamp and Sen. Alexander."

Radzyminski's mother said she just tries to stay out of her daughter's way and not hinder her.

"That girl is capable of anything," she said. "I don't know why God gave her to me."

GOOD COMPANY — U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp, left, and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander have their picture taken with Cleveland High School junior Kaylee Radzyminski on Monday. Wamp and Alexander are expected to recommend Radzyminski for acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy. Banner photo, DAVID DAVIS

 

This page was last updated on Thu Apr 24, 2008.