Bay High student recognized for clean water efforts
Mary Catherine Murtaugh, far left, will be recognized this month for her clean water efforts for Project Thirst.
Bay High School student Mary Catherine Murtaugh has been honored with the "Power of Youth Award" by Thirst Project, a nonprofit organization that works with young people to end the global water crisis by building freshwater wells in developing countries. Mary Catherine was chosen from hundreds of thousands of students internationally for her clean water efforts and fundraising through Bay High Key Club, where she has helped raise more than $46,000.
Thirst Project is flying this rising senior student to Los Angeles later this month to receive her award at the nonprofit's 14th annual Gala event, held in Hollywood on the backlot of Paramount Studios. Past Gala attendees include Adam Sandler and Jennifer Garner.
Following her return from California, Mary Catherine will fly to Eswatini in southern Africa – along with members of the Kiwanis Club of Bay Village and the Thirst Project team – so she can see her efforts and impact in person.
Karen Uthe Semancik
Karen Misciagna is the director of communications for Bay Village Schools.