Barrington High student dress designer wins volunteerism award

Barrington High School senior Medha Verma is one of eight Distinguished Finalists for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in Illinois for her work selling dresses of her own design and donating the money to children's hospitals.

Her mother, Ritam Priya, said Medha learned to stitch from her grandmother and has been doodling designs since she was very young. Priya said Medha started volunteering in 2011 at the Benioff Children's Hospital of Oakland before the family's move to Inverness in 2013. She now volunteers at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Lake Barrington.

At the Barrington Area Unit School District 220 board of education meeting Tuesday, Medha was presented with a medal and received kudos from the board on her work, along with a compliment on her outfit.

"This isn't one that I made, but you can buy it at Forever 21," Medha said, drawing a big laugh from the audience.

To buy her dresses, which go for $45, visit www.thevermadesigns.com. Medha said she wants to study science in college but plans to continue designing on the side.