Distinguished Finalist

Kaylin Fanta, 15, of St. John, Ind., a volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and a freshman at Hanover Central High School in Cedar Lake, has collected and distributed nearly 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for needy children. Kaylin, who began her project when she was only 8 years old, organized a group of 40 volunteers to help distribute collection boxes in local schools while also raising money for school supplies through lemonade stands, car washes, and babysitting.