Nazareth Student Honored for Work with Make-A-Wish

A senior who, along with her brother, has graced the pages of Nazareth Patch on more than one occasion, has again been honored for her work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Kendall Ohrwashel, 18, was named a 2012 "Distinguished Finalist" in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, "the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service," according to a press release.

Each of the eight finalists will receive an engraved bronze medallion.

Ohrwashel has raised $23,000 through used book sales to provide six children with “wishes” through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In total, she has donated more than 40,000 books to various children’s charities since she started collecting and selling used books in 2007, according to the release.

This isn't Ohrwashel's first go-around. She was named a Prudential Spirit of Community Award finalist in 2008, local award recipient in 2009, and state-level "Distinguished Finalist" in 2010.

A few of Ohrwashel's other awards include:

• Wish Maker Award from the Make-A-Wish Foundation
• Who’s Who Among Outstanding Students in America
• Kiwanis Club Award
• President’s Volunteer Service Award
• Build-A-Bear Huggable Heroes Semi-Finalist

For more news about Ohrwashel and her brother, Cameron, make sure to read:

The Pennsylvania State Honorees are:

High School -- Neha Gupta, 15, of Yardley

• Neha, a sophomore at Pennsbury High School, founded a non-profit organization that has raised more than $240,000 to provide educational and other resources to disadvantaged children in India and the United States.

Middle Level -- Calista Pierce, 12, of Guys Mills

• Calista, a sixth-grader at Maplewood Elementary School, has raised nearly $12,000 so that local Special Olympics athletes can continue to take part in regional and state competitions, and more than $8,000 to grant wishes to two gravely ill children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The 102 state honorees -- one middle level and one high school student from each state and the District of Columbia -- will tour the capital’s landmarks, attend a gala awards ceremony, and visit their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill.

Ten of the state honorees -- five middle level and five high school students -- will be named national honorees on May 7. These honorees will receive additional $5,000 awards, gold medallions, crystal trophies and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for non-profit charitable organizations of their choice.