Megan Mannsman is dedicating her life to helping others.

The 17-year-old Freeport High School senior not only plans to pursue a career in the medical field, she donates her time with various nonprofit organizations.

As a Kiwanis Key Club officer, Megan organized an Awakeathon in which students stay up for 12 hours to raise money for a charity.

“We had a lot of fun with that,” she said.

Megan was able to draw more than 100 students to the Nov. 12 event, raising $2,470 for the Global Fund.

The organization educates people in less privileged countries about diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, as well as help those suffering from the diseases.

As a Key Club activity, Megan also is collecting books for the Freeport Library used book drive.

She does volunteer work as a member of the school chapter of the National Honor Society. Every first Tuesday of the month, the Freeport National Honor Society takes donated food to the Food Bank in Freeport.

Megan has been accepted into University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Her major will be biological basis for behavior because she wants to help people overcome their addictions.

“That's what I want to do,” she said.

But before Megan delves into the next phase of her education, she'll be busy at Freeport.

In addition to being class president, she is the editor of the school newspaper.

“I like to be in charge,” she said.

However, Megan stresses that doesn't mean she's bossy.

“I am pretty open to everybody's good ideas,” she said.

Her commitment to helping others was inspired by the semi-autobiographical book by James Frey, which is an account of a 23-year-old alcoholic and drug abuser.

The story covers the character coping with rehabilitation.

After reading an account of someone struggling with addictions, Megan was inspired

“I would make the world a better place as much as I could,” she said about her goal.

Along with her other efforts, Megan created a Facebook page for the Words to be Heard scholarship program, sponsored by the Pittsburgh law firm Edgar Snyder & Associates.

The firm created the scholarship to dissuade teenagers from drinking or texting when driving.

Megan plans to keep the Facebook page running even after the scholarship is awarded.

On top of her school activities and volunteerism, Megan has a job at the Dairy Queen on Route 356.

“I handle my own car payments,” she said.

<B>Age: </B>17<B>Residence: </B>Buffalo Township<B>Family:</B> Parents Jim and Joy Mannsman and brother Jimmy<B>Education: </B>Senior at Freeport High School<B>Employment: </B>Dairy Queen in Buffalo Township<B>Interests: </B>Key Club, National Honor Society, school newspaper