CORNELIUS – A Hough High School student is raising money for Pencils of Promise, a nonprofit organization that builds schools in developing countries.

Tessa Young, of Cornelius, will sell cookies and dog treats for $1 each around the Lake Norman area, with the proceeds going to the organization’s Schools4All campaign, until the fundraising drive ends June 30. Those who want to contribute directly may go to Tessa’s fundraising website, www.stayclassy.org/fundraise/pop?fcid=92319, and following the donation instructions.

Brown University alumnus Adam Braun founded Pencils of Promise in 2008. The organization has established three schools in Laos, Guatemala and Nicaragua and plans to build 30 schools by the end of 2011. According to the organization, only one in five children throughout the world can read or write and 75 million children do not have access to preschool education.

The organization’s top national fundraiser wins a school visit from recording superstar Justin Bieber and Braun. So far, Tessa has raised more than $253 and hopes to meet her goal of $5,000.