World Vision is recognizing a 91原创 Secondary School student for her humanitarian efforts by awarding her one of eight 鈥�30 Hour Famine鈥� scholarships.

Kelsey Merritt is very excited about the award and couldn鈥檛 wait to tell her family.

鈥淚 never expected to win a scholarship of any kind; but so far I have this one, and hopefully a few more soon,鈥� she said.

Merritt and a group of friends will be participating in World Vision鈥檚 鈥�30 Hour Famine鈥� from April 8-9 by going without solid food for 30 hours.

The goal of the campaign is to raise funding and public awareness for global hunger, poverty and injustice.

鈥淪omething we鈥檝e seen through the 鈥�30 Hour Famine鈥� is how amazing Canadian students are,鈥� said TJ Grant, manager of youth marketing for World Vision Canada.

鈥淲e created the  30 Hour Famine scholarship contest to help celebrate the passion and dedication youth like Kelsey have for issues around the world.鈥�

According to World Vision, over 500,000 teens worldwide participated last year and raised over $30 million for the cause.

More than 60,000 Canadian students are said to be taking part in the event this year, and those interested can still apply for a 鈥�30 Hour Famine鈥� scholarship.

More information and applications are at studentawards.com. In order to qualify students need to participate in the 2011 鈥�30 Hour Famine鈥� and meet minimum fundraising goals.