Rachel Roos

CRANBERRY TWP — A senior at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School recently earned two distinctions.

Rachel Roos is this year’s VFW Post 879 Voice of Democracy winner and also a recipient of the Rotary of Pittsburgh’s Student of Distinction Award.

For the Voice of Democracy award, Rachel, 17, recorded and sent a speech to the VFW Post about imagining a world without violence and focusing on curing diseases.

She won $150 that will go toward her college education, an award and a pin.

This year’s theme for the contest was “My Vision for America.”

“I just think we need to resolve our conflicts with a more peaceful message,” Rachel said. “It would be easier to focus on what we can do for generations ahead of us.”

Rachel was given the Rotary award because of a teacher recommendation and her activities in and out of school. She was given a plaque.

“Rachel is one our most outstanding students academically as she has taken or is currently enrolled in almost all of the Advanced Placement courses offered,” Spanish teacher Michael Flecker said.

At a luncheon last month, Rachel spoke about her mission trips and in-school opportunities.

She is involved in volleyball, Envirothon, student government, National Honor Society and mission trips. She also belongs to Holy Sepulcher Catholic Church’s youth group.

Rachel is interested in attending Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to study bioengineering. She was accepted in February into the university’s honors program.