OTHELLO — A Wahitis Elementary second grader received an Othello School District challenge coin for his efforts to collect food for the annual Othello Christmas Basket project.

Othello Superintendent Pete Perez awarded Dmitrius Tzemos the coin at the regular meeting of the Othello School Board on Jan. 8. 

“I think he’s an excellent example of what we want for all of our kids,” Perez said. “We want them to think about others, we want them to think about our role in the community, and we want them to have a giving heart. And he’s an excellent example of all of that.”

Tzemos collected almost 1,500 boxes, cans and bags of non-perishable food for the Wahitis food drive. The food was donated to the Christmas basket project, which provides food, gifts and other things to families in need in the Othello area during the holiday season. 

“He reached out to family and friends for donations,” according to a post on OSD social media. “Some people donated food and others donated money so he could go to the store and purchase the items. He was so excited to purchase food for families that are in need.”

Tzemos talked to people who live in Othello and people that live outside the area, and raised $400 to buy food. 

Along with the coin Tzemos got his picture taken with the school board members.