On Thursday May 5, Erin McCarthy, Grade 7, Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Hewitt,NJ was recognized as a 2005 finalist in Summit High School for the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. The foundation recognizes extraordinary acts of young people who also hold a vision of a better world, as Raoul Wallenberg did. Wallenberg is credited with leading the rescue of 100,000 innocent Jews from certain death in 1944. It was not simply his leadership which resulted in his daring feat, but his great courage, compassion for his fellow man, and his vision of a better future for the young people of his day. Erin McCarthy was nominated because she also displays courage and compassion. Erin stands up for what she believes is right, not what is necessarily popular. She is a peacemaker and a compassionate young woman. According to Abraham M. Akselrad, Co-Chair for the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation of New Jersey, middle school students have a one in 4,000 chance of being recognized.