If future voters are to be well informed, knowledgeable on current events and in tune with the public, Bridget Nurre has a head start.

The 17-year-old senior at St. Ursula Academy, East Walnut Hills, was just named volunteer of the year for her work with Kids Voting, a group that teaches children about their duty to go to the polls.

"She is really a fantastic role model," said Jeanne Rolfes, executive director of Kids Voting. "She embodies what we hope future voters should be."

For her volunteer work, Bridget received the Gambow Heitkamp Award, established two years ago in honor of Marge Gambow and Dell Heitkamp, original trustees of Kids Voting.

She is the first student to receive the award.

"I was shocked," Bridget said. "I don't think I am doing enough to earn the award."

Bridget became a reporter for the group when she was in the seventh grade. She helps to organize polls set up for kids to vote on Election Day, in their separate mock elections.

She works at the polls during elections, and she organized a civic program in Kenwood Towne Centre in September.

Bridget is the daughter of Bill and Pam Nurre of Hyde Park.

She recently returned from a college tour in Washington, D.C.

"I am planning to major in broadcast journalism and possibly political science," she said. She is looking at George Washington, American and New York universities.

Kids Voting is a national organization. Bridget's award was given by the Southwest Ohio Chapter of Kids Voting at a ceremony last week.

A local Girl Scout troop that spent Make A Difference Day in October clearing out garbage, planting flowers and trees, painting benches, hanging bird feeders and spreading mulch will accept an award for their project in Columbus on Monday.

Katie Hein, troop co-leader of the Covedale Service Unit Girl Scouts, along with her sister, Teresa Heir, will accept the award at a VIP reception and awards luncheon.

The Girl Scouts project, one of 10 winners in Ohio, endured a setback, though, before reaching the final stage.

The scouts, parents and members of the Western Wildlife Corridor worked on the project in the Woodside Nature Preserve on Prosperity Avenue and Ashbrook Avenue in Price Hills on Oct. 26.

But overnight, vandals destroyed the work that had been done on the preserve.

"Bird feeders were torn down and many destroyed beyond repair," Hein said. "Trees had been uprooted, and our freshly painted green poles to blend in with the natural surroundings had been painted with different colors."

The troop collected the remains of the bird feeders and replanted trees.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News'' column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, call 768-8362, e-mail ahoward@enquirer.com or fax 768-8340.