Distinguished Finalist

Sebastian von Zerneck, 18, of Peoria, Ill., a senior at Peoria Notre Dame High School, has collected and distributed nearly 4,000 books to organizations serving underprivileged children through his program "Project Bright Bookcases." Sebastian, motivated by his own love of reading and the realization that needy children go without books, solicited donations of books and bookshelves and has provided libraries in 10 community organizations.