Sarah Laible, a senior in Lehighton, recently was awarded as a U.S. Senate Youth Program finalist. The U.S. Senate Youth Program seeks to identify a “student’s outstanding abilities and demonstrated qualities of leadership.”

Laible was selected as one of 10 finalists in Pennsylvania competing for two spots to represent Pennsylvania in the spring of 2019 in Washington, D.C.

In addition, Laible was also selected as a Coca-Cola Scholars Program semifinalist. Students are “recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.”

Out of 95,715 submitted applications, the top 1,896 students were chosen to continue in the selection process.

Laible is the president of the Red Cross Club at Lehighton, and has coordinated nine blood drives since 2016. Raising 176 units of blood gives 528 lifesaving transfusions. In addition, four seniors have earned $4,000 in college scholarships through the Red Cross

Laible also volunteers with Operation Christmas Child, having served on their local, regional and National Youth Vision Trip Team to Madagascar. Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes filled with toys, soap, toothbrushes, socks, hairbrushes and more to children in Third World countries.

Laible has also started her own nonprofit called Kids Gone M.A.D. By hosting a 5K annually at Tuscarora State Park, Laible has been able to raise over $3,700 to donate to 24 organizations. Her mission is to “Go Make A Difference Here and Around the World.” See www.kidsgonemad.org for more information.