Santa Rosa’s Gabe Ferrick was one of five young Californians to each win $36,000 after being selected for the 2011 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award. Ferrick’s interview ran Monday and can be seen by clicking here.

Here is a brief bio on another young person to receive one of this year’s awards: Daniel Sobajian of Venice High School in Los Angeles.

Daniel Sobajian has helped distribute $8,000 worth of art supplies to needy students in Los Angeles.

When Daniel began attending a public high school, he learned that 60 percent of his classmates’ families lived at or below the poverty line. While working at Los Angeles Councilman Bill Rosendahl’s office, he began the 11th District Los Angeles Youth Council and a non-profit called StudentsDo.org. His first project was a back-to-school supply drive. During the last three years, he has coordinated multiple school and art supply drives that have distributed pencils, crayons, paper, notebooks, backpacks and other items to students. The last drive included the participation of seven schools, two youth councils, two libraries and one church.

His award recognizes the impact on his local community, including donations to the Westside Children’s Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica and the Mar Vista Family Center.

“It’s not glamorous like doing something for a foreign country,” Daniel said, “but I see firsthand what a difference I am making.”

High School: Venice High School, Los Angeles

Favorite Sport to Watch: College Basketball

Favorite Sport to Play: Basketball

Favorite Movie: National Treasure

Favorite Book: The World is Flat

Favorite School Subject: History

Favorite Place: New York City

Favorite Activity: Traveling

Hero: Coach John Wooden

Dream Job: Division 1 College Basketball Coach