Barrington High student honored for community service work

A Barrington High School senior who led a school organization dedicated to helping peers in need was named a distinguished finalist in the 2015 Illinois Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Katherine Andraschko, 18, of Deer Park, was awarded a bronze medallion through the national competition which seeks to honor young people who give back to their community. She was one of 10 Illinois residents so honored.

Katherine earned the recognition through her work with Go Beyond Barrington, a BHS student organization. With Katherine as president, the group raised $52,000 to support youths in need. She has been involved in the organization since it was founded in 2011 to raise money for victims of the tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Since then, the group has expanded their charitable scope to include teen runaways and local Boys and Girls clubs.

Katherine, who was a member of the Daily Herald's 2014-15 Northwest Suburban Leadership Team, also serves on the Operation Snowflake leadership team, promoting drug awareness; is a student affiliate to Barrington Youth and Family Services; and is a mentor for Best Buddies Lunch Buddy program.

It's not the first time her many hours of service to others has earned her national recognition. She has also been granted the President's Volunteer Service Award.