2008 Gold Winners 
MYSEE CHANG
BUFFALO HIGH SCHOOL | CORCORAN, MINNESOTA Everything Mysee does, she does with passion and vigor. At the beginning of her junior year, she chose to simply ignore whatever hesitations or insecurities she held about being involved in her school and her community. “I decided I wanted to be more. I wanted to be a leader in my school. I felt I could really impact others,” said Mysee. That is exactly what she did. In addition to being ranked second in her class, Mysee now holds a variety of leadership positions in her school. She is a member of student council, an executive member of the National Honor Society organization, founder of the Cultures United Club, vice president of the Future Educators Club and president of the newly-founded Asian Culture Club. Mysee's Hmong heritage is central to her life. She is the editor of Hmoob Teen Magazine, which targets Hmong teens and tackles issues that presently affect them. The magazine is a venue where “teens can speak and be heard.” Mysee is particularly proud of her position as editor because it allows her to get experience in writing and editing, while also helping herself and her peers gain perspective on their community and shared heritage. “I consider my participation in programs one of my greatest accomplishments because, from these experiences, I've improved myself completely—in attitude, character, skills and perspective,” said Mysee. The benefits Mysee has gained from her dedication to self-improvement inspire her to devote herself to helping others. Whether she is tutoring ESL students, volunteering for Ready 4K, mentoring younger girls in her family or just smiling as she walks through the hall, Mysee finds joy in motivating others to achieve their goals and to be passionate about life. The two most important forces in Mysee's life are her school and family. “If I could come to school every day, I would, because it is where I am the best of me…at school I see that I am a leader,” she says. School is the environment in which Mysee can live out her dreams, but it is her home life that really made her who she is today. “The older women in my family -- my grandma, Aunty Mai, Aunty Mao, Aunty Pao and my mother -- guide me to go farther, so I am inspired to go farther.” back to top 
HEDY CHEN
NEWBURY PARK HIGH SCHOOL | NEWBURY PARK, CALIFORNIA “An open mind and ambition define who I am…I aspire to all activities with a boundless enthusiasm.” While attaining a high academic ranking, Hedy has served her school as editor-in-chief of the yearbook; managing editor of the school newspaper; vice president of speech and debate; president of her school's mock trial team and also lead attorney; president-elect of ; Interact Club, and National Honor Society treasurer. She has also received many prestigious honors, including the Hugh O'Brian Leadership Award and the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Hedy's laundry list of achievements reflects her ambition, but does not fully reflect the fervor with which she throws herself into each of her activities. Her dedication to her responsibilities truly represents her belief that motivation will take her to unprecedented heights. When Hedy is not studying or participating in her school-related activities, she spends much of her time volunteering. This year she captained an 80-member Relay for Life team. Additionally, she helps with homeless dinners at the local church, spends part of her summer teaching English to students from China and volunteers at the local hospital. Over the last few years, Hedy has helped raise thousands of dollars for causes and organizations ranging from the Cancer Society to the Rotary Club. “Writing and music have always been my two lifelong passions,” says Hedy. She has played the piano for years, and sees music and writing as an essential part of who she is. Through them she has found a way to nurture her love and enthusiasm for life. Hedy cites her life experiences and her father's strength and courage as the inspiration for her successes. Her childhood was sometimes tumultuous; the family moved ten times, and often had little income. In addition, Hedy has been dealing with polycystic ovary syndrome. While her life has not been easy, she feels that these experiences and struggles have made her who she is today. “I [have learned] not to make excuses for what comes along in life and I believe that no thing has the power to strip me of who I am.” back to top 
FERNANDO CORRALES
GOVERNOR WALLACE RIDER FARRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL | HONOLULU, HAWAII Fernando Corrales is confident that he can change the world for the better and that he is motivated enough to do so. “I believe that as a student leader and a student journalist, I have the opportunity to ‘contribute a verse' to the success of our society. I am intelligent, well-driven, and stand up unwaveringly with or without the support of others.” Fernando's most cherished accomplishments are his achievements as a student leader. He
has been a part of the 2009 Class Council since his freshman year and has been elected class president for three years running. He represents his school at the Honolulu District Student Council, where he is able to interact and share ideas with student leaders from other schools. Managing editor of his school newspaper, he represented the school at the Columbia University Scholastic Press Association Convention in New York City. Fernando is also a member of the Health Occupations Students of America. Through this organization he is able to attend state and national conventions and share his ideas on how to increase public awareness about important healthcare issues. Since age 14, Fernando has spent much of his extra time working to help support himself. His administrative jobs, first for Zippy's Restaurants and currently for Supercuts, have taught him a lot about life. His work experiences have helped him develop administrative skills and a strong work ethic, but most importantly have inspired him to do more. Being an active part of the community is also very important to Fernando. In addition to his health-related volunteer work through HOSA, Fernando helped to implement a fundraiser for FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) that raised enough money to allow their club to attend the state convention in his freshman year. Fernando attributes much of his success to his mother. “I believe that my mom has raised me to be a successful person. She persevered through the challenges of being single and also the challenges of making ends meet.” Fernando has taken those lessons of perseverance to heart and is confident that he has what it takes to help make the world a better place. back to top 
WARCHÉ DOWNING
PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL | PLYMOUTH, NORTH CAROLINA Warché Downing knows exactly what he wants out of life. “I have an interest in anatomy and physiology and the sciences thereof. My life's dream is to become a medical doctor,” says Warché. Already he has put himself on a path to achieve that dream. He is a high-ranking student in his class and he gains medical experience through his volunteer work—he is a registered volunteer at a local hospital, a member of Health Occupational Student of America (HOSA) and a participant in Think: Health Careers, which afforded him the opportunity to job-shadow a pediatrician. In addition to pursuing his interest in medicine, Warché spends much of his time serving his school. A member of the student council since entering high school, he was also class president during his freshman and sophomore years. He now serves as student body president. He is also president of the Math Club; a North Carolina HOSA Northeast Regional Officer, and former local secretary of Future Business Leaders of America. His long list of other involvements includes the National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Show Choir, School Leadership Team, Washington County Schools Uniform Committee, Washington County Schools Health Advisory Council, Closing the Gap Task Force, drama club, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project Uplift participant, and Elizabeth City State University Talent Search Program member.. the As a participant in the Elizabeth City State University Upward Bound program, he received highest average in science lab, reading, literature, computers, and math. Then there is all the time that Warché spends as videographer for the football team and as the go-to guy for teachers needing IT help. Warché's contributions to his high school have been recognized through some prestigious honors: he received the Principal's Leadership Award in 2007 and the Student Council Leadership Award in 2008. It is also very important to Warché to stay involved in his community. He has organized fund-raising and volunteer efforts for various organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House. He is a fund-raising volunteer for Autism Speaks and the American Cancer Society. Warché also donates time at the local senior citizen center. Warché cites his grandmother as his main inspiration. She has always pushed him to put forth all of his effort to succeed. He says that she was the one who helped him realize that if he puts his mind to it, he will gain the capacity to become a great leader! back to top 
MEGAN M. DUFFEY
DESERT MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL | SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA Megan Duffey might appear to be a typical outgoing and successful student, but she has had much to overcome on her way to success. A medical condition known as oculocutaneous albinism affects both her skin, which cannot tolerate much exposure to the sun, and her vision, which remains impaired despite two eye surgeries. Overcoming the difficulties posed by weakened eyesight has taken hard work and determination, but Megan has “learned to really listen in the classroom” and to “work extremely hard to compete with my fully-sighted peers.” The greatest challenge for Megan came while learning to drive and obtaining her license. On top of the ordinary ups and downs of developing this skill, Megan needed a year of specialized training plus mastery of a special bioptic telescope. It was an exceptionally proud day when she qualified for her license. In the process shebecame the youngest licensed driver in Arizona to use the telescope, an unquestionably impressive accomplishment.
Megan's diligence in the classroom shines through in her scholastic record. Currently, she holds an un-weighted 4.0 GPA, the maximum for her school, and a weighted overall GPA of 4.333. Megan's outstanding academic achievements are well-earned and are a direct result of her attitude toward school: “I define myself in part by how well I do in school, and I am pleased that my hard work and taking difficult weighted classes has paid off. I plan to continue a rigorous course load in the future and to succeed in earning good grades.” Philanthropy also drives Megan to greater personal heights of success. Last summer Megan joined the Feed the Children organization on a medical mission trip to Guatemala. Her volunteer work included serving in an eyeglass clinic and in a provisional pharmacy, filling prescriptions for the native villagers. Megan's experience was enriching and she states that “seeing the happy faces of the people I helped was one of the most gratifying experiences I've ever had, and helped me to realize how much I take for granted.” Before traveling to Guatemala, Megan organized a drive to collect toys for the children she would soon serve, and succeeded in accumulating a suitcase full of donations. This summer Megan intends to undertake a similar trip to Bolivia, andhas already begun to gather toys and clothing. back to top 
RACHEL M. FELDSTEIN
PLYMOUTH-WHITEMARSH HIGH SCHOOL | LAFAYETTE HILL, PENNSYLVANIA Rachel Feldstein must have been gifted with an innate sense of time management, as her short, but demanding career as a student, athlete and community member is brimming with a diverse array of accomplishments. For starters, Rachel manages a rigorous course load, enrolled in Advanced Placement Biology, Spanish and English classes. Despite the challenging class work, Rachel holds an unweighted 4.0 GPA and a weighted GPA of 4.875. Rachel's motivation for academic success runs deeper than just getting the good grade: “I have an instinctive passion and curiosity for learning that naturally lead me to do well in school; I work hard out of self-motivation and a thirst for knowledge.” Rachel also finds inspiration to do well in the recognition she receives from her teachers for her diligence. Aside from Rachel's impressive grades and course load, she serves as vice president of the student council, and has been elected president for next year. In this role, Rachel is responsible for fundraisers that have supported the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the troops in Iraq. She and the other council members organized a pillow drive, which successfully engaged nearly the entire school and resulted in 2000 pillows being sent to grateful troops overseas. Most noteworthy is Rachel's demonstrated interest in the power of education. She serves as vice president of the Future Educators Association at her high school. The mission of the club is to “brainstorm and implement ways to promote American Education Week and teacher appreciation.” Rachel says, “My involvement in this organization is truly rewarding because I strongly value my education as well as the great teachers that have provided it.” Rachel is currently enrolled in a two-year certificate program at a local college, which will certify her to teach in a religious school. Additionally, for over the past three years, Rachel has served as a teacher's aide at her local synagogue. Rachel was recently accepted into the Pennsylvania Governor's School of Excellence for Teaching. This summer, she will take part in a five-week program that teaches leadership training and the skills to implement a community service project. For Rachel's project, she plans to design an anti-bullying campaign that involves mentorship between high school and middle school students. Horrified by a peer's unfortunate plot to do violence against members of her school, Rachel was moved to tackle the issue of bullying at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. She hopes to use the tools she gains from the Governor's School and take action with her proposal once school resumes next fall. back to top 
PATRICK H. FOSTER
SACHSE HIGH SCHOOL | SACHSE, TEXAS
Patrick demonstrates excellence in community service and entrepreneurial drive. Since the age of eight, Patrick has served his community as a volunteer for the city of Richardson's Santa's Village, local firefighters, the March of Dimes and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. When Patrick was only twelve years old, he founded his own non-profit called Dallas is Love (www.dallasislove.org). Patrick's organization supports military troops with Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift certificates, funded by that donations which Patrick procures from local corporations. To date, Patrick has distributed $16,000 in AAFES certificates and $100,000 in merchandise through Dallas is Love. This is a heady accomplishment, which Patrick made even greater by establishing a business relationship with Robbins Bros. Engagement Ring Store. Patrick is a leader in school as well. Recently elected school president for the upcoming academic year, he has also held student council positions as parliamentarian and vice president, giving him three years experience in active leadership. Moreover, Patrick maintains an impressive GPA of 4.43 and is ranked sixth in a class of 544. His dedication to well-rounded academic success has resulted in several awards and achievements, including Outstanding Student of the Year Award, Academic Excellence Award, National Honor Society membership, Academic Letter winner, and National Honor Roll student.
"Each day I strive to improve the quality of life for all those around me," says Patrick. Patrick attributes his passion for philanthropy and his penchant for hard work to his parents, who have been a constant driving force in his life. “My parents are my greatest inspiration…My mother pushes me to be the best I can be and reminds me every day [that] I have to keep climbing the mountain of success.”
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JAMES W. FOULKES
TERRE HAUTE NORTH VIGO HIGH SCHOOL | TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA James is an all-star student, talented artist, small business owner and accomplished Eagle Scout. At 14th in a class of 459, James holds a 3.873 GPA earned mostly in advanced, honors or Advanced Placement courses. In addition to his challenging course load, he also pursues interests beyond the high school curriculum by taking college classes in mathematics and electronic circuit analysis. As a budding artist, James has explored his creative side through pointillism and block printmaking. Pieces that he submitted to a school contest were displayed at the local Swope Art Gallery. James is also a dedicated member of the Patriot Painters organization at his school. When a project was devised which involved the creation of several themed murals, James not only wrote a successful grant proposal to fund it but also contributed to planning and producing the murals. His commitment was honored by his school at a luncheon. Outside of James' academic career, he has managed a small grass-cutting business, which runs annually from April through November. He feels he has gained invaluable management experience from handling the revenues and supervising two employees. James credits skills he acquired in the Boy Scouts for his ability to run a business. James is a far-from-average Scout: he achieved the impressive Eagle rank before entering high school, a truly exceptional feat. On his journey to Eagle status, James worked toward and was awarded a total of 98 merit badges. The extreme success and passion for Boy Scouts that James exudes has further been recognized by the prestigious Hornaday Award, which very few Boy Scouts receive. Additionally, James has been inducted into the Firecrafters as well as the Order of the Arrow, which is the Boy Scout Honor Society. “It is the desire to succeed and learn which has allowed me to do all this through Scouts, and much more through science fair and school,” James notes as his primary motivation to achieve and to seek out challenges in life. back to top 
CODY M. GRAHAM
BEMIDJI HIGH SCHOOL | BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA As a child, Cody had a stutter and tried to cope by avoiding communication with others as much as possible. A speech therapist quickly taught him that this was not the answer to his difficulty, and that he could best help himself by seeking out opportunities to speak more frequently in front of others. To do so, Cody became involved in student leadership and community service at his school, which required that he speak often to large groups. Recently, he spoke before a crowd of 600 students, which he describes as his greatest achievement to date since “this is something I will deal with my entire life. I can only do the best I can.” An active member of student council, Cody has had an impressive three-year run as president of his class. Cody identifies the motivation to lead as an opportunity to do his best at all times by “simply working hard.” He credits his math teacher, who tells her students that “you will get out of life what you put into it,” for his determination to get the most out of life. Cody is an exemplary model of a responsible young adult. Two part-time jobs fund Cody's own vehicle, auto insurance, gas and general maintenance as well as his cell phone. He has also enrolled in college-level classes to acquire early college credit. To date, Cody has completed three courses in engineering and plans to fulfill credits in mathematics and English composition. In addition to the full load that Cody manages as school president and a full-time working student, he plans and implements fundraisers that benefit a variety of causes. The long list of events that Cody has organized includes a cancer awareness drive, holiday Toys for Tots, Tie blanket drive, dodgeball tournaments, Interact Club sponsored dance fundraiser, highway cleanups, food drives, pancake breakfast fundraiser and food booths. Cody's zest for life shines through in his accomplishments and the drive to overcome obstacles. Nothing seems to prevent Cody from achieving greatness. back to top 
HEIDI GRUHLER
OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Heidi's two great passions are science and music. She spends most of her time working on one or the other, and has been extremely successful at both. “My passion for science drives me,” says Heidi. That same passion has empowered Heidi to achieve extraordinary academic and musical success. Heidi has been a member of her school's science club for three years and has been elected treasurer. Heidi has had many scientific successes through the club, but her crowning achievement happened last year when she took fourth place in the National Science Olympiad Competition. “I look back on that experience with excitement because I worked so hard and it paid off,” says Heidi. Playing the violin is Heidi's second greatest love. It was devastating when she injured her wrist and was unable to play for an entire year. Heidi did not let this end her violin career, however, and this year she scored a I at district and state competitions. She also helped the Oak Park High School orchestra earn a I in the state competition both this year and last. In addition, Heidi participates in the Blue Spotlight Honors Orchestra. Not surprisingly, Heidi is a top student in her class, ranking fifth out of 511. She consistently challenges herself by taking as many AP courses as possible. In addition to her scholastic and musical achievements, Heidi works part time to help support herself. In the past she has worked at the Chiropractic Life Center and babysat, and now she works at the Mid-Continent Public Library as a page. Despite the hours she puts in at work, Heidi also believes that she needs to give back to her community. For this reason she is a member of both the Volunteer Club and the Diversity Club at her school. In order to spread her love for science, she also tutors and coaches other students in the Science Club. Heidi is continually inspired by her friends and family. She credits her mother with helping her keep a positive attitude about everything she does, and sees her science friends as a second family who provide her with continual comfort and support. back to top 
JORDAN HALL
SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL (WASHINGTON, DC) | SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND Jordan is committed to bringing about positive change in his school, community and the world. In every activity he participates in, he emerges as a leader and an example to others. Because of his academic success, Jordan has been included each semester on the Head of the School List. He is particularly interested in math and science and has received numerous academic awards, including the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, the Academic Pyramid of Excellence Highest Honor from the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and the NSBE Save Our Kids Award. He was also named a National Ventures Scholar and NSBE Fulfilling the Mission Scholar. Last year, Jordan attended the Coca-Cola Pre-College Leadership program at Morehouse College and the Summer Academy for Mathematics and Science at Carnegie Mellon University. This summer, he will attend both the Young Engineering and Science Scholars Program at California Institute of Technology and the Nanobiotechnology High School Internship Program at Cornell University. Service to others has shaped Jordan. Each week, Jordan is a reading tutor to fourth and seventh graders at For Love of Children in Washington, DC. As president and founder of the Sidwell Friends NSBE chapter, Jordan has sought to close the achievement gap by establishing a relationship with collegiate NSBE chapters and technology organizations. In 2007, he was instrumental in raising $30,000 to fund a trip to South Africa for members of the Black Student Union. In South Africa the students helped distribute aid to children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Inspired by this experience, Jordan recently pledged a portion of a scholarship he received from NSBE. In addition to his school service, Jordan also has a well-rounded resumé of extracurricular activities. Captain of the track and field team, he has earned three varsity letters and has twice been selected for the MAC All-Conference First Team, on which he earned four gold medals. Jordan is assistant coach of the junior varsity basketball team. He is a drummer in the school jazz ensemble, as well as in a rock band, and has played cello in the Sidwell Friends orchestra. Jordan is also a member for the Student Technology Committee. Jordan recognizes his parents as his greatest influence, and says, “I trace my commitment to service directly to them.” back to top 
LAUREN HICKEY
WESTMINSTER HIGH SCHOOL | WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND Lauren's drive to succeed goes far beyond what is most expected of even the most ambitious high school students. “I always go one step further than what is expected in everything I do…I try to be better than the best,” said Lauren. Her pursuit of excellence has certainly been successful thus far, resulting in the Bentley College and Time magazine Tomorrow25 Award for her exceptional dedication as a student leader in her school and community. Lauren has receivedthe Rotary Youth Leadership Award and has also won the American Museum of Natural History's Young Naturalist Award for a study she performed, Juvenile Blue Crab Cannibalism. Lauren is ranked first in her class of 460 students. She has maintained straight As throughout her high school career and was one of only seven juniors chosen for the Carroll Academic Challenge Team. Involvement in her school is very important to Lauren. “I am extremely active in my school. When the dismissal bell rings, my devotion to leadership begins,” said Lauren. She is active in a variety of clubs including National Honor Society, Speech and Debate Team, Academic Challenge Team, Ski Club, Spanish Club, Key Club, Track Team, Tennis Team and Cross Country Team. In addition, Lauren is heavily involved in student government at all levels. She is treasurer of the Carroll County Student Government Association, student representative on the Carroll County Board of Education, and an active participant in the Maryland Association of Student Councils. One of Lauren's most important personal accomplishments thus far has been her position as youth correspondent to the Carroll County Times, which publishes her weekly articles pertaining to youth and teenage issues. She was also selected to serve as a page in the US Senate during the summer of 2008. Outside of school, Lauren works two jobs. She works for a company called Fun Events, helping to staff events ranging from festivals to corporate functions. She also babysits and tutors several times each week. Lauren is also committed to service. She has spearheaded and coordinated numerous fundraisers, most recently collecting 600 pairs of donated athletic shoes for a “Stomp Out Hunger” drive. Proceeds from the shoes went to support agriculture in Ghana. When she is not organizing fundraisers, she is tutoring children and their parents. In the summer of 2007, Lauren volunteered as a student intern at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Lauren appreciates the close network of family and friends who support her through her various endeavors. She recognizes her parents for the time they have spent raising her, and appreciates her brother for urging her to be the best she can be in every aspect of her life. back to top 
ALEXANDRA HSU
ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL | ANDOVER, MASSACHUSSETS “Enthusiasm and excitement. Spirit and determination. I love life. Those simple words describe who I am and drive my actions,” says Alexandra. Her day-to-day actions mirror her impassioned words, as it seems that she cannot do anything halfway. Alexandra is in the top 4% of her class of 402 and she consistently challenges herself by choosing honors and AP courses. In addition to her impressive GPA, Alexandra's academic excellence has resulted in recognition including the Undergraduate Excellence Award in Honors Math and the Honors Twentieth Century Studies Award. Outside of academics, Alexandra spends much of her time on Destination Imagination (DI) activities. DI is a nonprofit organization which gives students the opportunity to participate in creative and problem solving competitions. As captain and organizer of her school's team, Alexandra spends at least 15-20 hours per week on these activities during the competition season. Since she began participating in the organization, her team has won many awards, including the DaVinci Award, DI's highest honor for creative ideas, and the Renaissance Award for design and engineering projects that display out-of-the-box thinking. In addition to such recognition, her team has placed first at regional competitions multiple times and has competed in the state finals. Beyond DI activities, Alexandra tries to involve herself in school in other ways as well. She participates in the Improvisation Club, the Philosophy Club, and theatrical productions. In the past she has played keyboard in the pit orchestra for her school's musicals, and this year she was stage manager for the annual Mr. AHS (Mr. Andover High School) production, directing a stage crew of twenty students. Alexandra also invests herself heavily in community service activities. She especially likes working with children, so most of her community service activities involve helping kids. Since her sophomore year she has worked with a variety of programs including tutoring elementary and high school students, creating an after-school literacy program in a neighboring town, and coaching young Destination Imagination teams. Alexandra attributes much of her passion and determination to her family. She hopes that one day she can be like her mother, whom she describes as independent, strong and always optimistic. “I have learned that not everything turns out the way that I want it to, but so far that hasn't stopped me from doing what I love and loving what I do,” says Alexandra. back to top 
DAVID HU
ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL | ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS David is driven by his thirst for knowledge. He loves learning and is always eager to understand the intricacies of the topics he is studying. “At heart, I am a scholar with a genuine interest in the world around me,” says David. To judge from his academic success, extracurricular activities and volunteer activities, it is clear that the pursuit of knowledge has brought David to where he is today. As a top student at Andover High School, David always takes the most challenging classes available to him. He has received departmental awards for excellence in English, geometry, algebra, Latin and world history, and qualified for the National Merit Competition. David's most important personal achievements are his awards in writing. He has been recognized by a variety of organizations for his numerous essays on human rights and global politics. Among his awards are honorable mention in Northeastern University's Political Science Essay Contest; first place in the Fraser Institute's Student Essay Contest on Foreign Aid and World Poverty; first place in the Massachusetts Supreme Court's John Adams Essay Contest, and Massachusetts state winner of the National Peace Essay Contest. School and community involvement are very important to David. He is involved in several school clubs including a world issues debate club, Future Business Leaders of America, the Junior Board of Directors, and the Math Team. He has also participated in the Global Challenge, an international competition to promote solutions to global warming, in which his team won the award for the best business plan. David also plays on the school soccer team and is a dedicated pianist and cellist. One of David's most rewarding activities has been his work at the Esperanza Academy, a school for disadvantaged girls where David volunteers his time to as a math tutor and website designer. He appreciates his experience at Esperanza because it has enabled him to learn to work with people from a variety of cultural and economic backgrounds. back to top 
KARA KARPMAN
RICHARD MONTGOMERY HIGH SCHOOL | SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND “I want to leave a lasting impression,” says Kara. “I want to be known as someone who always strives for excellence, who never backs down from a challenge to learn or to serve, and who makes others enthusiastic to participate because of my initiative and example.” Through her academic and artistic achievements, and through her dedication to her school and community, Kara certainly sets a positive example for everyone she meets. A candidate for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, Kara has enrolled in the most challenging classes that her school has to offer and has maintained straight As throughout her high school career. In addition to her classes, Kara was awarded an internship at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where she analyzed the impact of population increases,
technology and climate change on global food security. She also volunteered at the Humane Society of the United States and was able to learn about bird flu and the effects of infectious diseases on the poultry industry. Outside of school, Kara is an accomplished photographer and an inspired historian. She is the official photographer for the Oakley Cabin African American Historic House Museum in Montgomery County, MD. She serves as the youngest docent at the museum and is currently designing promotional materials for its educational outreach programs. Her photos are on display at the Cabin and on its website, in print advertisements and program development materials. Kara is also very involved in her school, dedicating much of her after-school time to a myriad of organizations. She is co-chair of the publicity committee for the Spanish Honor Society, photo editor of her school newspaper, a physics tutor through the National Honor Society, a writer for her school's cultural magazine, and a member of the Knitting Club. Kara says her greatest inspiration has been her mother, who has helped Kara learn to strive to do her best and to stay mindful of how her personal actions affect others. back to top 
RICHARD COOPER KENNARD
STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI
Cooper is an extraordinary student, actor and organizer. “I am motivated by the fact that I'm a perfectionist as well as the fact that I like working for what I have,” he says. Nobody achieves perfection, but Cooper ‘s work is certainly exceptional. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, he is currently ranked first in his class. He is very proud of his academic accomplishments and because of his achievements has been selected for National Honor Roll, Who's Who Among American High School Students, US Achievement Academy, and the National Society of High School Scholars. Cooper was elected Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi American Legion Boys State. Theater has been one of Cooper's greatest passions for many years. He spends much of his time outside of school on the stage, and plans to be a professional actor. This year he competed in the Mississippi Theatre Association Drama Festival, where he was awarded the title of Best Supporting Actor in the State and was chosen a member of the Regional Festival All-Star Cast. Cooper is very involved in his community. He has founded an organization, Project Armstrong, which raises funds and gathers supplies to help Ronald McDonald House families whose children are receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.Cooper has also served as assistant chairman of the Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation Board, monthly volunteer for Mandi Green Ministries, and one of the 18 members of MS YES! (Mississippi Youth Engaged in Service) with the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service. Cooper's community involvement is recognized on a statewide level. This year he received the Mississippi GIVE (Governor's Initiative for Volunteer Excellence) Award and the Jefferson Award, and was also named a Prudential Spirit of Community finalist. Cooper is very connected with his family and finds them extremely uplifting and supportive. “Both my parents have played an important role in my development as a leader and a student, and my ninety-year-old grandfather would have to be the most influential person in my life,” says Cooper. back to top 
BRITTANEY KHONG
BEAUMONT HIGH SCHOOL | BEAUMONT, CALIFORNIA Brittaney has a natural entrepreneurial spirit. “When I want something I go and get it. No matter how hard I have to work, I will pull through,” says Brittaney. She has just finished her junior year in high school and already she has started her own charity, created her own business, been a part of school leadership and maintained status as a top student in her school. This year Brittaney founded a charity called Operation Fire Angel, which took its inspiration from the devastation caused by the firestorm that hit California in October 2007. Operation Fire Angel sells fire safety kits in order to raise money for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, an organization which assists the families of fallen firefighters In addition to Operation Fire Angel, Brittaney works to stay very involved in her school and in her community. She has been class secretary for two years and has been instrumental in organizing a myriad of community service projects, class fundraisers and school spirit activities. She has also been secretary for both the California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society. Other organizations in which Brittaney participates include the French Club, the Varsity Club and peer tutoring. Brittaney also spent her summer volunteering at Loma Linda University Hospital, helping children who were undergoing dialysis. Brittaney is ranked fifth in her class and takes challenging courses whenever she can. She recently scored in the 98th percentile on her PSAT and has scored in the Advanced Level on all of her STAR tests. Brittaney achieved a score of 2130 on the SAT. A high-achieving athlete as well as a scholar, Brittaney plays volleyball and soccer, but her number one sport is tennis. As a freshman, she was the only member of her class on the varsity tennis team. She went on to become team captain and won back-to-back First Team All League Doubles titles. In her spare time, Brittaney has started a dessert business called BK Sweets, which specializes in cakes and cupcakes. She plans to use the money she has earned to pay for SAT prep classes, AP tests and college applications. Brittaney's parents are both refugees of the Vietnam War and she credits them with instilling in her a drive to succeed and an appreciation for what she has. “Everything they have gone through has inspired me to work hard and to never give up. Because of my parents I am someone who will never forget where I come from,” said Brittaney. She would like to thank everyone who has supported her throughout the years, and cannot imagine what she would have done without them. back to top 
MICHAEL PAGE
HINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL | HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS “My main goal through high school is to help others, be involved, be successful and have fun,” says Michael. As president of his class, he achieves this goal through his exemplary behavior and his leadership skills. Michael is also a member of the student council, in which his role as head of the Green Committee finds him developing strategies to increase student recycling. Michael finds joy in all the work he does at Hingham High School. Whether he is hosting a dance, organizing an auction, or fundraising for his class, he finds the energy to complete the activity with unwavering passion and exuberance. This year, Michael organized an auction for his class that raised $8,000! Michael also leads by example in the classroom, working to perform to the best of his ability at all times. He has taken honors or AP classes at every opportunity. A member of the National Honor Society, he has also been named to the Century Club, a group made up of the top 25 people in each class. Outside of school, Michael displays a fervent entrepreneurial spirit. He has designed his own website, hinghamweather.com, on which he forecasts upcoming weather for his town of Hingham and the greater Boston area. He updates this site every day and logs 250,000 to 500,000 hits each month. Michael also records all the weather data for future reference. He reports this data to the National Weather Service and through his work has formed relationships with meteorologists from around the area. Community is important to Michael. Throughout his high school career, he has participated in a myriad of community service events around his town. He has spent his time volunteering for organizations such as Relay for Life, Hingham Education Foundation and the Pan-Mass Challenge. back to top 
JASHLEY PAGUIO
SUNNY HILLS HIGH SCHOOL | LA MIRADA, CALIFORNIA “Making a difference is all that matters,” says Jashley of her drive to make the most of her time and energy. Volunteering is central to Jashley's life. To date, she has logged many volunteer hours at local organizations including the park program, hospital, and Graystone Home, an organization which houses and cares for adults with developmentaldisabilities. She has also formed Best Buddies, a group of high school students who volunteer with the developmentally disabled to help them integrate into the community, In addition to her volunteer activities, Jashley consistently pushes herself to succeed in other arenas. Ranked high in her class, she works to take the most rigorous academic program possible. Currently, she is on track to receive the International Baccalaureate Diploma, while also taking every Advanced Placement class she can fit into her schedule. Jashley loves to express herself through dance, and is a part of Sunny Hills High School's Dance Production. She is also an expert pianist, who participates annually in a piano competition sponsored by the Accordion Federation of North America. At this event she has taken first place twice in the duet category and once in the qualified solo category. Jashley is also heavily involved in her school. She participates in Key Club, California Scholarship Federation, National Honor Society, National Junior Classical League, and Latin Club. In many of these clubs she holds leadership positions and always sets an example for other students through her dedication to the volunteer aspects of the organization. Jashley finds motivation and inspiration in her family, particularly her grandmother whose favorite saying was, “Paddle your own canoe.” Jashley cites this precept, plus examples from the life of her family and her grandmother, as her inspiration to move beyond peer pressure and “move herself forward to reach her destination.” back to top 
TEYLOURE RING
SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL | SEQUIM, WASHINGTON “I am self-motivated and embrace my education,” says Teyloure. “I am quirky, affectionate, driven and loyal.” This seems to describe Teyloure well, as her myriad of activities mirror her unique personality. Teyloure has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked first in her class. She is passionate about learning and helped her school's Knowledge Bowl team win the state championship. Her true passion is math and last year she was named the American Mathematics Competition winner for her school. Involvement in her school and community are very important parts of Teyloure's life and personality. She serves as class secretary and participates in a variety of clubs, including International Club, Interact and Honor Society. She also works to improve her school by representing the student body as an inter-high school representative. Most notably, Teyloure worked to create a new tutoring program at her school that she calls H.E.L.P. (High School Elementary Learning Partners). H.E.L.P. is a free tutoring service offered by high school students for struggling elementary school students. Teyloure is an enthusiastic athlete who lettered in volleyball this past year. In her spare time, Teyloure works and volunteers for the Sequim Junior Soccer Association as a soccer referee and coach of a U-10 soccer team. She also loves art and was very proud when one of her creations won a contest for the Sequim Education Foundation Student Film Festival, and was subsequently displayed throughout the community. Teyloure is very close to her family. Because they are all so busy and her parents work so hard, she cherishes the few hours a day they are able to spend together as a family. She thanks them for supporting the continuation of her education and the achievement of her goals so that she can become the first in her family to attend college. back to top 
LUISA SANTOS
CORAL REEF HIGH SCHOOL | MIAMI, FLORIDA “Luisa utilizes every opportunity to explore different paths, always [working] to grow as a global citizen.” Whether it is through her studies, her volunteer work or dance, Luisa consistently looks for opportunities for self-improvement. Luisa takes pride in all her activities and strives to go above and beyond what is expected of her. At her school, Luisa is a prominent student and leader. She has been class president for three years and also president of her school's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America. This year she was chosen to represent her school on the Educational Excellence School Advisory Council, where she had the opportunity to voice the concerns of the student body to the school administration. She also remains an active member of many other groups, including Drug Free Youth in Town, National Honor Society and Business Honor Society. Luisa finds inspiration through her work in the community. She spends most of her weekends volunteering for various organizations including March of Dimes, Miami Children's Hospital and the American Cancer Society. Recently she became team development chair of the inaugural Coral Reef Relay for Life. In this role she has recruited and retained teams to fundraise and educate the community about cancer. This year her teams were responsible for raising over $13,000! “Dance remains a rhythm that beats in my heart,” says Luisa. Since the age of 8, her passion for dance has been what drives her and brings her comfort. After years of hard work, Luisa won first place in the Superintendent Student Choreography Showcase and her dance team placed first two years in a row at the Universal Dance Association's National Championship. Luisa cites her mother as her principal inspiration. “She is always there to listen and, with an open heart, guides me through tough times and rejoices in all my accomplishments. She teaches me by example and goes out of her way to provide me with all that I need.” back to top 
SHIKHA SAXENA
FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL | BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA Shikha is the very definition of well-rounded: she is a scientist, a musician, a dancer, a volunteer, an athlete and an academic. Shikha believes in the benefits of exploring new activities and interests. “[By] seeking new opportunities and experiences I expose myself to a variety of activities ranging from science to dance to business…I feel that by challenging myself I can stretch my limits.” This dedication to learning is the same dedication that has allowed Shikha to shine in academics. Shikha is first in her class of 490 students. She always takes the most challenging classes available to her, and when an interesting topic is not available at the high school, she takes courses at local colleges. Outside of her academic courses, Shikha performs research in a lab at Moravian College in Bethlehem. Based on her research and accomplishments, Shikha was selected to attend the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences. Outside of academics, Shikha spends much of her time involved in school activities or volunteering. She is editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, class treasurer, a member of National Honor Society, the Public Relations Manager for the community service awareness, the Future Business Leaders of America region president, and a speaker on the debate team where she loves discussing critical health-care issues. In addition, Shikha spends a significant amount of time volunteering at the local hospital, where she has worked in areas ranging from the gift shop to the ambulatory staging unit. Dance and music are Shikha's primary creative outlets. She competes in jazz and ballet, but also celebrates her Indian heritage by choreographing and performing Indian dances with other teens who share that culture. Musically, Shikha has become an expert flute and piccolo player. She is first chair in her school band and has performed at the district level, but most of all she loves performing for the community at elder-care facilities and churches. back to top 
DREW SIMON
KOKOMO HIGH SCHOOL | KOKOMO, INDIANA Drew is a self-proclaimed high achiever. He has known since age seven that he wants to become a pediatric neurosurgeon, and everything he does academically and otherwise helps him to achieve this goal. Drew is ranked second in his class of 466 people. To date, all of his grades have been A or A+ despite the challenging classes that he has taken. He even goes above and beyond expectations by attending the local community college so that he can take higher-level math courses. He is on the school's Math Academic Team and last year received the ICTM Outstanding Achievement Award. He was also named Outstanding CP Chemistry Student and Outstanding Computer Applications Student. In addition to being an academic superstar, Drew is very athletic. He is a year-round tournament tennis player and participates in both varsity tennis and varsity track and field. Drew has been ranked first on his school's varsity tennis team since his freshman year. In fact, in 2007 Drew was ranked sixth in the entire state of Indiana! School involvement and community service are very important to Drew. He is a student council representative, a member of the Boys Legion and attendee at Boys State, the chosen facilitator for the yearly Leadership Conference held at the local college, a member of the Math Academic Team, a youth representative for the Mayor's Youth Advisory Board and a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, Drew is active in his church's youth group and an involved member of STRIVE (Students Turning Responsibility into Valuable Experience). With STRIVE, Drew consistently participates in community service activities. With all his projects and successes, Drew still finds time to work to help support himself. He has a part-time job at the indoor tennis center, and also earns money as a tennis instructor and a math tutor. Even though these jobs fill up Drew's schedule, he is happy that he has them as they have helped him become an effective manager of his time and money. As the only child of a single mother, Drew feels that his relationship with his mother is a central component of all his successes. “My mom is the person that taught me to aim high and work hard, and it was her voice that I heard telling me that I can become whatever I dream.” Other people who have helped Drew to reach his goals are tennis coach P. A. Nilhagen, good friend Darren -- plus his grandmother, who is always there to offer guidance, occasional financial help and great home-cooked meals. back to top 
CAROLINA TERUEL
PEMBROKE PINES HIGH SCHOOL | PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA It is a wonder that Carolina can fit all her activities into one week. It is a rare high school student who can claim to work 25 to 30 hours a week, serve as president of three school clubs, rank in the top 10% of the class, achieve over 400 hours of community service and be an all-star soccer player. Carolina works hard in school, consistently striving to challenge herself by taking honors and advanced placement classes. Despite her unusually full schedule, Carolina maintains a 4.2 GPA. She describes herself as an honest and kind-hearted person who will do anything in her power to help others. These characteristics help her to be an exemplary leader at her school. Carolina is president of the Spanish club, with which she has organized fundraisers to help low-income Latino families; she is president and founder of the Scholarship Resource Club; founder and president of the Psychology Club, and a member of the National Honor Society. Carolina is a diligent worker. Her part-time jobs at Burger King and Kumon Learning Center help to support her family and save for college. In addition, she spends six hours a week volunteering at the local hospital and at her church. One of Carolina's greatest passions is soccer. She has played for her city since 1998 and in that time has won over 15 trophies and all-star medals. Her love for the sport extends beyond just playing, as she also volunteers as the assistant coach of her younger sister's team. Carolina is part of a family of five and credits much of her success to the dedication of her parents. “Each of my parents has provided me with values and guidance that will be the foundation of my future,” said Carolina. back to top 
JOYCE ZHANG
ALBEMARLE HIGH SCHOOL | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA Joyce is driven to succeed. She knows where she wants to go and dedicates herself to attaining her dreams. “I strive each day to reach the goal of being an engineer, in order to design systems and ergonomic tools to help the poor,” said Joyce. As a junior, she has already taken important steps to advance herself. In addition to being an excellent student, Joyce was chosen as the delegate to Girls State and the Governor's school for math and science. In addition, she was the state champion of the National History Day competition! In her spare time, Joyce works to help support her family. She began working at age14 and has maintained a rigorous schedule of 20 hours a week during the school year and 40 hours weekly during the summer. Joyce believes that her work experience has helped her treasure what she has earned, and she has not let it stop her from participating in other activities. Despite her long hours at work, she is still dedicated to helping her community. She is public relations chair for Youth United, a part of the local Habitat for Humanity, and through this position has organized numerous fundraisers. Music is an important part of Joyce's life. She participates in the local Youth Orchestra and holds the principal chair among the second violins. Joyce regards her success with the Youth Orchestra as one of her life's greatest accomplishments, because she began to study violin years later than many of the other players, and also because her early life in China did not include the opportunity to learn the basics of music. When she is not working, playing the violin, or volunteering Joyce is participating in one of the many school clubs she is a member of. Among others, Joyce is a part of the Key Club, the National Honor Society, and the Ping Pong Club.
Joyce credits her hard work and determination to her experience growing up in China and watching her parents struggle to provide her with a comfortable home life. She has seen how hard her parents work to provide her with a good life and in turn she is determined to succeed and use her talents to help the working poor.
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