Michaela Kowalewski – 2016 Utah Young Humanitarian Runner-up

 Michaela Kowalewski was our 2016 Utah Young Humanitarian Award Runner-up and won a $3,000 college scholarship last year. We wanted to check-in with her and see what she has been up to since winning the award!

Where do you go to school and what are you studying?

I am currently attending Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.  I plan to major in Biochemistry and double minor in Spanish and Heath Studies, while also following a pre-medical preparatory track.

Where have you been serving/working since winning the Award?

Since winning the Youthlinc Young Humanitarian Award, I have continued to be an active member of my community and have had the opportunity to redefine my role in my new community at Knox.  I have continued my passion for food security by working with the Knox Food Recovery Network, a student run organization that recovers the leftover food from the dining halls on campus, that would otherwise be thrown away, and transports the food to local community partners where food is served to in need members of the community.   I am also involved with Best Buddies and am an active member of Alpha Phi Omega, a service based co-ed fraternity on campus.

In your opinion, what is the difference between a volunteer and a humanitarian?

Volunteerism is the act of donating one’s time momentarily to address an issue at hand, whereas, humanitarianism is a way of life.  A humanitarian is an individual who immerses themselves in service with a long-term vision to better society through the empowerment of others.  Thus humanitarians engage themselves in focused service that provides for sustained progress rather than momentary relief as in the case of volunteerism.

…YOU could be Utah’s next Young Humanitarian! Apply before March 15^th for this $5,000 college scholarship and $8,500 in runner-up awards! Learn more here.