Katie Plott was named the recipient of the William P. Bloom Premier Award, which honors a junior who has improved relations between different groups on campus.

In 2011, Tuscaloosa native Katie Plott was told she could not help tornado victims because she was too young. Instead of giving up, she organized a donation drive that collected enough supplies to fill three cars.

Since then, she has strived to better her community through various service organizations.

Plott and a friend started Think Community at Northridge High School to help high school students learn about and become involved in local projects. Now as a junior majoring in finance and economics, Plott works for student-run Forza Financial to unite students and the small business community.

“My whole college career I’ve kind of worked on unifying my community of Tuscaloosa just because I’m from Tuscaloosa, and so I’ve had the unique experience of coming to college in my hometown,” she said.

The award came with a $3,000 scholarship, which she said she plans to save for law school. She said she almost did not apply for the award because she never thought she was good enough for it.

“Katie displays a broad range of strengths, is open about her shortcomings, but is always willing to learn and grow from each situation, which is why she is a phenomenal leader and worthy of a premier award,” said Katherine McLarney, CEO of Forza Financial and a senior majoring in finance and economics.

Plott said she hopes everyone will consider applying next year for the Premier Award they feel most qualified for, and she said she is humbled to receive this award.

“Just because you’re young, you’re not disabled,” she said. “You have more power than anyone and can really change the community.”