Whitehall High School senior Caterine Yunez-Cosme was chosen to receive the Travelers Protective Association of America’s Altruism Award April 11 because of her eagerness to volunteer her time to helping others.

The Altruism Award honors those with a selfless concern for the well-being of others. The staff at WHS determined Yunez-Cosme was the most shining example of altruism at the school.

Richard LaDuke, guidance counselor at WHS, spoke on Yunez-Cosme’s behalf, saying, “Cat has truly distinguished herself through her volunteer work and initiative throughout the community.”

Yunez-Cosme participated in multiple clubs and sports and currently serves as president of the Science National Honor Society and the Art Club. She served as team leader for the mini-thon, and she was recently voted as the recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Award by the school faculty.

She volunteers regularly with her church, the food bank and Whitehall Township Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board. She has also graduated from the National Hispanic Institute and has completed the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. She has already engaged in shadowing at Lutron and Air Products to learn more about a career in engineering. Yunez-Cosme plans to attend either Johns Hopkins University or The Pennsylvania State University in the fall.

E. Robert Fritz, manager of pricing at Knoll Inc., was a guest speaker at the event and shared stories about his successful career in business, as well as some of his personal journey through life’s ups and downs. Fritz is a Louis E. Dieruff High School graduate and went on to graduate from Kutztown University with a degree in finance.

Fritz commended and thanked Yunez-Cosme and her peers at the event for their service and dedication to the community and for serving as an outstanding example for others to follow. Fritz offered advice to the senior student award recipients: “While life is always on the go, remember to slow down and appreciate life.”

He also reminded them they will make mistakes, and when they do, they should hold themselves accountable, but also be willing to forgive themselves. He shared how a positive attitude is everything, and they should always use their talents to make a difference. Fritz wished the seniors well in all their future endeavors.

The TPA Post L in the Lehigh Valley is a national nonprofit organization and the largest post of the Pennsylvania division. TPA has been around for well over 100 years and is known for their dedication to safety. The organization offers Children Have An Identity (CHAD) stickers for placement on child safety seats to assist in child identification in the event of automobile accidents and emergencies, and it implemented the painting of white lines on highways.

TPA also has a Post L Deaf and Near Deaf Trust Fund. At this year’s altruism award event, a check was presented to Parkland High School senior Alex Ocasio.