Waukesha Girl’s Generosity Rewarded with Scholarship

An 11-year-old Waukesha girl recently was awarded a $1,000 scholarship through the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program for working to help others despite suffering serious health problems herself.

Hannah Smith was born with a cancerous tumor and has endured countless medical tests throughout her life, according to a news release from Kohl’s.

“Hannah was so touched by receiving a gift to console her after a procedure that she raised more than $3,000 in toys and new clothing to donate to Children’s Hospital to help comfort other children,” the release states.

More than 200 volunteers received the $1,000 scholarships to college, including four children from the southeastern Wisconsin area.

Other area scholarship winners include:

• Maureen Burke, 12, New Berlin– Maureen has volunteered with the TOPSoccer program for eight years at more than 120 events that teach soccer skills and a love for the game to kids with special needs.

• Elani Geinopolos, 16, New Berlin– Elani was instrumental in helping to pass Wisconsin’s first anti-bullying law and was recognized by the Wisconsin Legislature for speaking out and sharing her story of being emotionally and physically bullied with various audiences.

• Evilyn Pinnow, 10, Fort Atkinson – Evilyn started a club for area kids to pack shoeboxes with toys and necessities for children in need around the world through Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child program, resulting in the distribution of nearly 1,000 gift-filled shoeboxes.