The Communities That Care (CTC) organization has selected Jillian Kreglow, a Whitehall High School senior, as its first recipient of school and community excellence recognition.

CTC’s mission is to reach out to make a difference for families and recognizes young persons for their contributions to the community.

Phillips Armstrong Sr., Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners member representing CTC, congratulated Kreglow at the Nov. 9 commissioners meeting, where she received a commendation from Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. for her volunteer efforts and achievements within the school and the community.

Armstrong said CTC is a broad-based committee that has several faceted programs, such as strengthening families, food bank projects, educational programs and much more. The committee is a coalition of county agencies, elected officials, school administrators and community individuals.

Kreglow said, “I serve my community in different volunteering activities, including Miracle League, Special Olympics, pediatric cancer walks and different church organizations. Volunteering at these specific places has helped me to help change the lives of others, as well as my own.

“Working with special needs children at Special Olympics, Miracle League baseball games and pediatric cancer walks is a very humbling yet satisfying experience. The smiles on the boys’ and girls’ faces as I cheer them on or run alongside of them is a picture that will never leave my mind. Whether they know it or not, those children have truly impacted my life and made a difference in the way I view everything.

“I am appreciative of everything I have and am capable of doing and am grateful for the experiences those children have given me,” she said.

At Whitehall High School, Kreglow is a member of National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Leo Club, Key Club, Student Focus Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Core Leader, Envirothon, Biology Olympics and Zephyr Nation.

She has won many awards, including Zephyr Academy’s student of the month, ninth-grade overall art student, Hope and Healing art competition honoree and National Honor Society’s Daughters of the American Revolution.

Kreglow also has participated in varsity girls’ soccer, varsity girls’ basketball and varsity track and field for four years.