Thirty-three Centre County high school students awarded $8,098 to six local nonprofits at the conclusion of their year-long participation in Centre PACT (Philanthropic Actions Created by Teens), a program facilitated by Centre Foundation. Recipient organizations included: Dads’ Resource Center, Mid-State Literacy Council, Centre County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, Centre County Breast Cancer Coalition, Centre Helps, and Penns Valley Youth Center.

In October, the students met for the first time and selected the theme of “Fostering Stability and Wellness throughout the Community.” Over the course of the program, they created their own grant application, sent out a request for proposal, reviewed thirty-eight competitive applications, and secured donations—all of which guided their granting decisions in May. 

The students began the year with $2,308, which was provided by Centre Foundation’s Centre PACT Fund. They then raised $5,790 from 50 community supporters.

On Sunday, May 19, students, parents, donors, and nonprofit representatives and Centre Foundation staff gathered in the auditorium of the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau.

To commence the program, Centre Foundation staff introduced Hope Bodenschatz, Centre PACT Coordinator, who was a member of the first Centre PACT class and is now a junior at Penn State University.

Next, Centre PACT students Joy Zhu and Abbie La Porta explained the program’s mission to the audience. Check presentations followed.

Roshan Haque and Saoirse Hopp presented $450 to Jeff Steiner of Dads’ Resource Center to help them obtain a new wireless, laser multi-purpose printer.

Iris Li and Emma Neely presented $1,010 to Amy Wilson of Mid-State Literacy Council to assist low literate adults in navigating the workplace.

Ezra Paul and Evan Jones presented $1,325 to Connie Martin of the Centre County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Prison Society for their Parenting Inside-Out Program, which aims to improve communication skills between incarcerated adults and their children.

George Bodenschatz and Jackie Li presented $1,500 to Linda Kilareski of the Centre County Breast Cancer Coalition to increase early breast cancer screenings and detection activities.

Rohith Kuchipudi presented $1,700 to Leanne Lenz of Centre Helps to strengthen Centre County’s suicide prevention lifeline.

Claire Jin and Emma Butler presented $2,113 to Josh Hull and Jason Dunkle of Penns Valley Youth Center to raise awareness of social media dangers for parents and students.

Perfect attendance awards were presented to George Bodenschatz, Tanisha Mal, Ella Simpson, and Joy Zhu.

The following graduating high school seniors were also recognized: Emma Butler, Baron Cao, Jasmine Cao, Amelia Dodoo, Roshan Haque, Sanjana Kuchipudi, Abbie La Porta, Woojin Lee, and Maya Urbanski.

Centre County high school students may apply to join the Centre PACT Class of 2019-20 during fall recruitment, which will open in August. For more information, please call (814) 237-6229.

Centre Foundation’s mission is to inspire and facilitate a culture of giving to create a more vibrant community.