Jun 19, 2008 2:15 pm US/Eastern
Shaler Grads Honored For Humanitarian Work
SHALER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) ―
Three recent graduates from Shaler High School have been named winners of one of the country's highest honors for humanitarian work.
Erin Drischler, Jackie Betz and Megan Neuf say they organized the service group called "M-Powerment" at their high school about two years ago with the goal to raise awareness about rape and sexual violence.
The girls say they found out on Tuesday night that they would be receiving the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Public Service.
They said receiving the award was a humbling experience.
"There were so many other awesome stories that were told and so many people that won that we just didn't think that we were going to be among them," said Betz. "I think we were all surprised. We all were crying."
The Onassis Award is a part of the Jefferson Award Program, which organizers say is a Nobel Prize equivalent for volunteer activism.
The teens were selected from among 12,000 nominees nationwide.
The girls graduated from Shaler High School this year, but they are continuing their project.
They say they are creating "M-Powerment" chapters in other school districts and they are also working on a website.
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