Brampton Centennial Secondary School's Shivanni Sankar is a student leader with an extraordinary commitment to making a difference in her school, community and world.

That commitment has rubbed off on her peers and was recently recognized during Zonta Club award ceremonies in New York.

The local high school's Zonta Club has organized fundraising activities for various events and donated money and supplies to the victims of the tsunami, hurricane survivors in New Orleans, United Way, Interim Place, Salvation Army, Relay For Life, and many more organizations offering help to needy in the local community and around the world.

The club has also sponsored special events such as Pink Day supporting breast cancer awareness, Veterans' Week honouring Canadian armed forces war veterans and peacekeepers, the 30 Hour Famine and annual Food Drive and Peel's Toys For Tots. "The club makes a significant contribution to the school and I am proud of their involvement in the community," said Principal Robin Bradley.

None of these events could happen without excellent student leadership. Sankar, currently in the position of Past President, is a student leader who goes beyond the call of duty.

She recently received the Zonta District 4 Club Member of the Year Award in Jamestown, New York. The award recognizes the Z-club member who has made a significant contribution to her club. "Shivanni is a role model for other members of our club and the entire student body," said Judi Norris, club advisor.

This year 100 students are registered as members of the B.C.S.S. Zonta Club because they have seen what people like Sankar can do to help make the world a better place, Norris believes.

The Brampton Centennial Zonta Club is affiliated with the Brampton/Caledon Zonta Club. Liaison officers Shirley Ellison and Elizabeth Bindon have been very impressed with Sankar and the rest of the school's club members.

"That is why they have placed in the top three positions for the International Emma Conlon Award over the past four years," said Ellison. Clubs from Australia, the United States, the Philippines and other parts of the world compete for the special award.

The club is currently looking for businesses in the Brampton community to donate empty printer cartridges for a Recycling program. Money raised through the program will be used to fund activities planned for 2008. Business owners interested in participating in the project may contact the school at 905-451-3232.