Student honored by the Soroptimist International of Somerset County

Emma Kretchman

Emma Kretchman, a junior at Meyersdale Area High School, was recently honored by the Soroptimist International of Somerset County for her outstanding volunteerism and commitment to her community. Emma is the daughter of Jennifer and Joe Kretchman.

The Soroptimist International of Somerset County organization has a program called Soroptimist Junior where each year they recognize a girl in her junior year of high school who excels in volunteerism in her community. One girl is chosen from each school district in the county, and she is selected by her guidance counselor. At the April meeting, the organization will honor all of the honorees at a recognition dinner and they will present to the group about how they volunteer in the community and how they will continue to volunteer in the future.

Emma’s school and extracurricular activities include: Rader Review, SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Student Council, Science Club and Prom Committee. She is a member of the High School Chorus and Concert Band and serves as Drum Major of the Red Raider Marching Band. She is a member of the Lady Raider Basketball, Cross Country and Track and Field teams.

Her community service activities include participating in Community Clean-up Days, maintenance at a local cemetery, and she also volunteers at the Somerset County Fair and the Pennsylvania Maple Festival.
Emma recently became involved in a school organization whose mission is to normalize the challenges teen girls face and provide essential hygiene products.

“This group is to teach the younger growing girls about menstrual cycles and how every girl goes through experiences like this. Our goal is to educate every girl about the things we go through as women and that there is no need to be embarrassed. Another goal is to teach them how to use certain products and to keep up with hygiene. Body positivity is another big aspect of our group,” Emma explained. “Confidence is key and every body and heart is beautiful and it’s important for developing women to remember that. What they were born with is special in its own way.”

Through grant funding, this organization is able to provide each bathroom at the Meyersdale Middle and High Schools with the free hygiene supplies. Emma said volunteering in her school and community is an important aspect of her life. “Volunteering is important to me because it helps the community and helps me grow as a person and learn from these experiences,” she said.