(KNZA)--A Hiawatha seventh-grader has been honored for her volunteer efforts.

Mark Bigbee with Prudential Financial presented an engraved silver medallion to 13-year-old Sydney Smith Friday at the Hiawatha Middle School gym in recognition of her selection by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards as one of Kansas’ top two youth volunteers of 2017.

Smith raised nearly $1,800 for diabetes research by soliciting donations and selling homemade crafts in conjunction with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation annual fundraising walk in Kansas City.

Smith told MSC News that for her, the fundraising is very personal.  “ I’ve had Type 1 diabetes since I was 16 months old, and there are two more people in our middle school that have diabetes,” said Smith.

Two state honorees—one middle and one high school student—are selected for the award based on criteria such as personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.  This year’s high school honoree is from Olathe.

As a state honoree, Smith also will receive $1,000 and an all-expense paid trip in early May to Washington D.C. for several days of national recognition events.  During the trip, ten of the state honorees will be named America’s top youth volunteers