A senior at Northwestern High School is being honored for his role in and out of the classroom. Greg Gruda is this month's Northwest Pennsylvania C.L.A.S.S. Act Emerging Leader Award Recipient.

The wrestler and football player, also works with special education students through the Unified Sports track team.

Gruda was nominated by his high school, principal and school guidance counselor, who have watched him grow, through the years.

"I have known Greg since he was in first grade and he has grown using his own experiences to make, to use that as empathy and compassion for others," said Nikki Campbell, School Counselor. 

"It's always really important to just stay grounded, having, just taking each experience one at a time and not overwhelming yourself with it," said Gruda. 

Gruda has also been instrumental in helping with an elementary school playground project in the northwestern school district.

Gruda was awarded with a $1,000 scholarship and will be entered for a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship later this year.