Whitehall High School senior Vanessa Pedraza was selected to receive the Travelers Protective Association of America’s Altruism Award for her dedication to her peers and those in her community. Patricia Lorenz, a guidance counselor at Whitehall High School, spoke on her behalf.

A ceremony was held April 7 at Northampton Banquet & Event Center.

Pedraza was chosen because of her leadership, commitment, perseverance and, especially, her concern for others, according to Lorenz.

Pedraza enrolled in the most demanding courses throughout her high school career and yet, even with her classroom demands, she still found time to volunteer helping others, Lorenz added.

Pedraza is a member of the Debate Team, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars.

She spent her summers volunteering with Whitehall Township Public Library’s summer reading program as well as Camelot for Children, a nonprofit organization for terminally ill and disabled children.

Pedraza has helped both the young and old in her community as a volunteer with the Big Sisters/Big Brothers program and at Phoebe Home in Allentown.

A volunteer soccer coach, she also has donated her time at local food banks, animal shelters and the Special Olympics.

Pedraza said by giving to others in the community and dedicating her time as a volunteer, she’s “become more well-rounded and less selfish of a person.”

She has learned “people do appreciate caring gestures toward others,” she said.

The TPA Altruism Award honors those with a selfless concern for the well-being of others, and the staff at Whitehall High School determined Pedraza was the best example of altruism for her peers.

Guest speaker Scott Hovan shared his story about how TPA positively impacted the life of his son, Cole Hovan, who was born deaf and who was a recipient of a grant from TPA.

Additionally, guest speaker John B. Reilly, J.D., CPA, founder and CEO of City Center, thanked Pedraza and her fellow TPA award recipients from other high schools for their service and dedication and offered some wisdom and well wishes for their future endeavors.