Parkland High School senior Collin Duff and Allentown Central Catholic High School senior Shannon O’Neill of Orefield were chosen to receive the Travelers Protective Association of America’s Altruism Award at a recent banquet at Northampton Community Center.

The award honors those with a selfless concern for the well-being of others.

The staff at Parkland High School determined Duff was the most shining example of altruism at his high school and the staff at Allentown Central Catholic determined O’Neill was the most shining example of altruism at her high school.

Duff was chosen to receive the award for his leadership, accomplishments, and his caring and kind dedication to both his peers and the community.

Jennifer Young, senior class advisor at Parkland High School spoke on Duff’s behalf.

“Collin is constantly offering his time and abilities to help people who might never be able to return the favor,” Young said. “I can’t think of anyone who deserves the TPA Altruism Award more than Collin.”

Duff has been an integral part of many school activities including fundraisers, hosting the annual Mr. Parkland event, planning the senior prom and organizing homecoming activities.

He is also a very active member of the high school baseball team.

But most recently, Duff’s main focus has been leading a campaign in the wake of the school shooting tragedy in Parkland, Fla.

Duff, who, started a “Parkland for Parkland” movement, designed and purchased bracelets with his sister Kyleigh.

News of this movement traveled fast, and he was interviewed by many news outlets for his hard work.

As of June 19, he raised $20,000, to be donated to the Broward County Educational Fund to help both Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the victims’ families.

In addition to his hard work and commitment to others, he’s also very committed to achieving academic excellence in the classroom.

He has an outstanding grade-point average and continues to shine his positive outlook and light in everything he does.

O’Neill was chosen to receive the award for her dedication and commitment to her peers, as well as her accomplishments both academically and athletically.

Matthew Garza, a guidance counselor at Allentown Central Catholic High School, spoke on O’Neill’s behalf.

“When I started here, Shannon was 2 years old and her brother and sister were current students and her mother has been a long standing teacher in the science department,” Garza said. “I have literally watched Shannon grow and mature into an amazing young woman.”

O’Neill is the president of the Best Friends Forever Club, which mentors and works with a child from Mercy Special Learning Center.

She also participated in the Allentown Central Catholic High School Central City Project doing community service and providing year round services to the community.

O’Neill maintains a grade-point average over a 4.0 and is ranked in the top 5 percent of her graduating class.

She is also an Irish Step Dancer who competed in the world competition in Ireland this year.

O’Neill plans to attend Catholic University in Washington D.C. to study nursing in the fall.

Katrina Fritz, MA, BSN, RN was a guest speaker at the event and shared stories about her numerous years in the health industry as well as her personal journey through life and what she learned along the way.

Fritz thanked Duff and his fellow peers for their service and dedication to the community and for serving as an outstanding example for others to follow.

Fritz reminded recipients to always be the best version of themselves, and to accept that version will change as they learn and grow in life.

She also cautioned the seniors to not let labels define or limit them on their journey, and to find ways to use their talents and bright light to set themselves apart from others.

Fritz offered well wishes and career advice for the recipients in their future endeavors.

TPA Post L in the Lehigh Valley is a national nonprofit organization and the largest post of the state’s divisions.

TPA also has a Post L Deaf and Near Deaf Trust Fund and they offer “Children Have an Identity” stickers for placement on child safety seats to facilitate child identification in the event of emergencies.