Young Achiever: Ryan Balog

Noteworthy: Balog was named one of the North Hills High School Volunteers of the Year as part of the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. He's up for state and national honors.

Age: 17

School: Senior at North Hills High School

Residence: Ross

Family: Parents, Glenn and Linda Balog, sister, Julie, 21

Background: For the past four years, Balog has organized “Team Balog” in the Western Pennsylvania Epilepsy Walk/Run and raised more than $6,000. His community service is a year-round endeavor, which includes managing bingo games at Cumberland Crossing Assisted Living Facility and helping with other activities for residents there. In the summer, Balog volunteers at church festivals at St. Teresa of Avila and St. Sebastian, where he helps out at vacation Bible school. Balog plays the cello in the high school orchestra, is on the school's baseball and tennis teams and works at OfficeMax.

Quote: “My sister has been severely affected by epilepsy, and my efforts with Team Balog are dedicated to finding a cure.”

— Melissa Daniels