WESTBROOK – For her Mitten Tree Project, Marissa Bates, a 10-year-old Westbrook fifth-grade Middle School student, won the statewide Prudential Spirit of Community Award at the middle-school level. It is the largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service, and honors middle and high school students for outstanding community service. Bates and high school winner Katherine Elliott, 18, of Scarborough, represented the state at the Community Award ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 5 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

Bates was among the other 102 winners from across the country, and met with some of the notable speakers at the event, including actor Kevin Spacey. Bates won a silver medal and $1,000.

During the winter, Bates and her Girl Scout troop placed trees in all the elementary schools and the middle school in Westbrook and stocked them with donated hats, mittens, gloves and scarves that children who had none could take without any social stigma.

According to her mother, Westbrook School Committee member Veronica Bates, Marissa wants to expand the project next year and put up trees at 20 schools in the area. Just before her trip to Washington, Bates talked to the American Journal about her inspiration, school and her favorite activities.

Q: What inspired the Mitten Tree?

A: When I was going to Canal School, I was out at recess and a girl was standing against the wall with no hat or mittens. I could tell she was cold. I offered her mine, but she would not take them. I found out later it was because she did not want anyone to know she needed them. I wanted to help. I told my mom about it. She and I talked about how to help. I thought a tree in the hall where anyone could take what they needed with no stigma was a good idea. My mom thought so, too.

Q: What did you like most about doing the project?

A: Knowing that kids were staying warm.

Q: What has it been like to receive your medal and be recognized for the Mitten Trees?

A: Awesome! It was a big surprise, but a nice one.

Q: Earlier this month you went to Washington, D.C., to compete for a gold medal and $5,000 toward the project. Have you ever been to Washington before?

A: Yes. I went last year. I was the Youth Art Month Winner for the state of Maine. My parents took me down for the recognition ceremony.

Q: What are you most looking forward to seeing or doing this time in Washington?

A: I am really looking forward to meeting the other winners and talking to them about their projects. I am also looking forward to seeing who wins the gold medal.

Q: What is your favorite school subject?

A: Art is my favorite. But I like math, too. And creative writing.

Q: Do you have any more community project ideas for the future?

A: Not right now. I really want to keep this one going. I am already collecting hats and mittens for this winter.

Q: What activities are you involved in?

A: I am in Girl Scouts, I sing with Musica d’Filia (a girls choir). I like Odyssey of the Mind – our team came in third in division one for the state – and I really like art club. Next year I want to be on the math team.

Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey congratulates Katherine Elliott, 18, of Scarborough, right, and Marissa Bates, 10, of Westbrook, on being named Maine’s top two youth volunteers for 2013 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The two Maine students were honored at a ceremony on May 5 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, where they each received a $1,000 award. Bates, a Girl Scout and a fifth-grader at Westbrook Middle School, came up with the idea of a mitten tree to distribute mittens and warm hats to students who need them. Courtesy photo