Distinguished Finalist

Sanya Pirani, 12, of Prior Lake, Minn., a seventh-grader at Hidden Oaks Middle School, manages her own nonprofit organization, “Sanya’s Hope For Children,” which aims to assist children in her school with basic necessities. She has led hundreds of her peers to participate in projects including clothing, diaper and book drives; her “Christmas Bag Project” unites volunteers to sew and stuff bags full of toys, school supplies and books for homeless children.