[quote]By Drew Danko
Online Editor
Photo by Jack Heerhold[/quote]

What did you win an award for?

It’s the Prudential spirit of community award, sponsored by Prudential, and it recognizes top youth volunteers at the high school and middle school level. There is one high schooler and one middle schooler from each state that wins.

How have you contributed to the community?

My friend Kyra Scadden and I started an organization called Angie’s Hope, which aims to raise funds to find a cure for spinal muscular atrophy. I was diagnosed with SMA at 15 months old, so we’ve had a bunch of fun events over the past nine years, most recently the big ball soccer tournament. We raised nearly $200,000 towards the cure.

How does it feel supporting a cause that is so close to you?

It’s really special because it’s so personal. What I like to say is raising awareness for this disease is almost more important than raising funds. It’s a rare disease, so not many people know about it. Raising awareness can help people be more accepting.

What is the big ball tournament and why did you choose it as a fundraiser?

The big ball soccer tournament is a tournament where we play with a 42 inch soccer ball, so people in wheelchairs and those who can run can both play. In the past, we’ve done garage sales and pasta parties, but recently we wanted to switch it up, so we went with the soccer tournament. I played soccer with a big ball in middle school, so we thought it would be a fun fundraiser.

How did it feel winning that award?

It was really exciting and shocking. I wasn’t expecting to win it and I feel kind of awkward because so many people have helped out with it.  It’s not just me that did all the work, I want to recognize everyone and accept the award on behalf of everyone that helped out.

How was it being on Good Day Chicago?

I was really nervous, but when I got to the studio everyone was so welcoming and it was a lot less intimidating than I thought it would be.

What are your hopes for the future of SMA?

When I was born, there was only one program researching for a cure. Now, there are 17 programs. So that just shows the progress in the short time I’ve been alive, so that shows the hope for a cure in the near future. I just want to raise awareness for the disease.