Weber High School student fights child hunger
& becomes Utah Young Humanitarian finalist
Ogden, Utah – May 24, 2016 – After learning that 48% of the students in Weber School District were on free and reduced lunch, Michaela Kowalewski took action and played an integral role in starting the Weekend Warrior Food Pack Program, which provides 89 elementary students with a pack of food to sustain them over the weekend every week.
Sean Crossland, Thayne Center for Service & Learning Assistant Director and Interview Judge, states, “Michaela’s community impact is outstanding, especially considering her young age.” Kowalewski’s recommender agrees, “The impact the Weekend Warrior Food Pack Program has had on our community is tremendous. Michaela’s leadership and collaboration with her peers and community members has allowed this program to continue long after she graduates.”
On Saturday, May 21st Kowalewski was named the 2016 Utah Young Humanitarian runner-up and received a $3,000 scholarship. She was the only high school student to be recognized as a Top-5 finalist. The Youthlinc Utah Young Humanitarian Award, sponsored by the nonprofit Youthlinc, is the state’s largest service-based scholarship offering one $5,000, one $3,000, three $1,000, and five $500 scholarships.
Funding for these scholarships comes from the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Robert D. Kent Jr. Trust, and Michel Family. Youthlinc Local Service Director, Jerika Mays, believes this is a particularly important Award because “it celebrates young people who give back to their community, while inspiring more youth to volunteer.”
Visit the Youthlinc website for more details www.youthlinc.org.
For more information about this Award, please contact Jerika Mays, Youthlinc Local Service Director, at jerika@youthlinc.org.
