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2008 Silver Winners 
CESAR ALVAREZ
NEW TOWN HIGH SCHOOL | NEW TOWN, NORTH DAKOTA Cesar's involvement in his school and community might best be described as holistic, proving the metaphysical concept that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Cesar is first in his class academically, with a near-perfect grade point average, and he has participated in most of the sports offered at his high school. But what really distinguishes Cesar is the dedication he brings to school and community service work. At school, Cesar serves as a class officer and sits on the student council. He helped establish the local chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and is president of the school chapter of AISES (American Indians In Science and Engineering). Cesar is also heavily involved with the Affiliated Tribes Boys and Girls Clubs, Keystone Group through the NATIVE (Native American Teens In Vital Empowerment) Youth Council, for which he holds the post of public relations coordinator and vice president. "Whatever free time I have, I love to utilize it by helping out my community," he says. Recently, Cesar was accepted into his state's most prestigious program for young people, the North Dakota Governor's School. He was the first person in his community and also the first Native American to be chosen for the program. Currently, Cesar resides with his grandmother, and takes pride in the person he has become: a Native American, a Latin American and a leader among his peers, in his community and for his people -- the people of the Three Affiliated Tribes in the Dakota country. back to top 
ELIZABETH E. ANDERSON
CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL | POCATELLO, IDAHO Liz Anderson loves being busy, and by all accounts she is one of the busiest students in Pocatello. She is the top student in her class with a 4.2 GPA, an avid athlete, has been her class president for three years running and was elected student body president for her senior year. She is a standout high school tennis player in Idaho and at the end of her junior year ranked third in the state. She was voted the 2007 all-area tennis player of the year for her undefeated school tennis season. Liz works at a local tennis club, teaching tennis to toddlers through teenagers. She also helps teachers organize activities at a local elementary school in order to be involved with my city's local schools.” Liz will attend Girls State in the summer of 2008 and has helped organize fund-raising events as part of student council activities. Liz lives with both parents, who are actively involved in her life. She aspires to be either a life (or motivational) coach or a personal trainer following college. back to top 
RACHEL BARR
SYCAMORE HIGH SCHOOL | CINCINNATI, OHIO Rachel is one of the highest-ranking students in her class at Sycamore High and attends Hebrew classes at the University of Cincinnati. She has continued her record of academic excellence by earning As in those courses as well, while taking AP courses in high school. Rachel's main athletic activity is synchronized ice skating, for which she participates on one of the Midwest's top teams. Rachel states she is very proud of her team's accomplishments because the team and skaters have limited resources. Her goal is to qualifyfor the US National Synchronized Skating Championships. At school she is managing editor of the school yearbook and is in charge of the business advertisement section. She is also a member of Key Club, the National Honor Society and the Global Language Honor Society. “My goal is to be fluent in as many languages as possible, including French and Italian,” wrote Rachel. Rachel organizes a community-wide food drive on an annual basis. “For the last three years I have been in charge of organizing the drive…for a local food pantry. The drive is held in the fall when the pantry doesn't have many donations.” Daily trips to the ice rink and frequent trips to skating competitions make for a hectic lifestyle during the school year for Rachel. However, her summers are different. “Because of my mom's job, my family and I have had the opportunity to spend three summers traveling in Europe. As a result I want to go to school in Europe and one day live overseas.” back to top 
KAITLYN E. BATT
HUNTINGTON NORTH HIGH SCHOOL | HUNTINGTON, INDIANA Kaitlyn is at the top of her class, ranking number one out of nearly 500 students at the close of her junior year, while working 20 or more hours per week at a local tanning salon and maintaining her status as a competitive swimmer. She is also very involved in service activities at her high school. She is involved in her class council and chairs the prom committee. Kaitlyn also mentors younger students, working with five freshmen to make sure they get a good start to their high school careers. In addition she tutors other students in math. Kaitlyn is also involved in her community in a big way. She volunteers at the public library and spends two hours each week in the local hospital's emergency room. Through her church, she is a summer camp counselor and has participated in Hurricane Katrina relief mission trips. Further, Kaitlyn started a Spanish language class for seventh and eighth grade students in order to give them “a jump start on language and a great introduction to Spanish culture.” After college, Kaitlyn hopes “to become a doctor and travel to third world countries with missionary groups such as Doctors Without Borders.” She has two older sisters – “both kind, compassionate, and caring women” – and parents who are very involved in her life. back to top 
DEEKSHA BHAT
HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL | TAMPA, FLORIDA Deeksha is an active member of numerous organizations and one of Tampa's leading students. She is co-president of her school's Model United Nations (MUN) Club and vice president of the National Honor Society; as well as a member of the school's honor council, the Science Honor Society and the French Honor Society. She is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, and has received numerous awards for her work on the MUN Club. Since her sophomore year, she has been a teen ambassador in the Tampa Ophelia Project, serving as a guide and advocate for young girls and women. One Ophelia program she participates in is Girls Circle, which involves middle-school girls in discussion groups concerned with topics such as self-esteem and body image. As part of her involvement with Ophelia, Deeksha sought to help teenage girls who "age out" of foster care. "I found out about the sad plight of foster teens who…at 18 are left to fend for themselves,” says Deeksha. She has helped organize fundraisers to support these teens and raised over $6,000 to make 50 "starter kits" -- suitcases filled with everyday necessities -- to help them adjust to life after foster care. In order to maintain contact with her Indian roots, Deeksha studies and practices the Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi classical dance forms, which combine intricate footwork with a graceful expressive style. She performs these dances at local religious and cultural festivals. Deeksha lives with both her parents, who "are always there for me to talk to and voice my feelings,” she says. "I am determined to use my compassionate attitude, my natural talents and my perseverance to make a difference in the world." back to top 
RACHEL L. BRILL
PARK VISTA HIGH SCHOOL | BOYNTON BEACH FLORIDA Rachel is in the upper ten percent of her class and takes advanced placement courses as varied as world history and advanced calculus. Not surprisingly, she is a member of the National Honor Society. Rachel was vice president of her student body as an underclassman and has been elected president for next year without opposition. To say she is “actively involved” in the high school scene would be an understatement. She chairs the Inter-Club Council, acts as secretary for the School Advisory Council, and is a member of the Safe School Ambassadors. She is also involved in new student orientation, helping incoming freshmen get comfortable with high school. Outside of school, she has accumulated well over 300 hours of community service. Her volunteer activities have included Habitat for Humanity, the Summer Youth College, the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, and Camp COAP, an autism support and awareness program. As part of the latter organization, Rachel spent a three-day weekend at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp where she prepared, supervised and taught kids with autism. Another organization Rachel is involved with is HOBY, the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership organization. Through HOBY, she has had many community service opportunities. HOBY partnered with GlamourGals, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering intergenerational relationships. Through this partnership, Rachel regularly visits area nursing homes and has made a special connection with a 102-year-old resident. “She made me realize that no matter what age you are…you can create an unforgettable bond.” Rachel's life is dominated by her commitment to service, but she is also committed to ballet and recently won an excellence award for her dance. “Dance training has taught me to have respect for my body, the importance of teamwork, self-discipline, self-esteem, responsibility, independence and grace.” With all of these activities, Rachel still works at a local ice cream shop as a shift leader. Rachel's parents experienced extreme difficulties while she was a child. They split up when she was four and divorced when she was eleven. “I watched my mother raise me and my brother by herself since I was born…My brother Matthew didn't speak until he was nearly five…when he was diagnosed with autism…Each day brought a new crisis. The reason I persevere and never give up is simply because (my mom) never did with us.” back to top 
ASHLEY ADORA CASTILLO
WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL | WAIPAHU, HAIWAII Ashley has earned a perfect GPA at her high school of over 2500 students, and is one of the top four students in her class. She takes advanced placement courses, participates in a wide range of community and service activities, and has artistic interests, but still works on the side to supplement family resources. She also completed her confirmation studies at her church. From that experience, she says she learned that “giving unconditional love and service is the best way to lead.” Ashley exhibits this virtue in her community and school and at her work on a daily basis. She aspires to a career in a medical field and recently organized a “Chili and Rice” fundraiser to to defer the cost of attending a state conference sponsored by the Health Occupation Students of America. At school, she is a student government officer and thus involved in many school activities. As chair of elections, Ashleymanages homecoming and New Year's Ball court elections. She coordinates student visits to patients at local hospitals, and care packages provided for them. An Easter holiday program she organized resulted in students making and delivering over 100 holiday favor treats to patients. Her part-time work at Planet Fun – the amusement firm – finds her doing it all: busing, cooking, hosting parties and cashiering. Ashley considers herself analytical and logical, but has recently discovered a love for drawing and painting. From art, “I learned form, texture and proportion. Both can be considered logical and artistic because they make sense and are elements of art.” Working in art helps her build self-confidence and self-esteem.
Ashley's father has frequently been away from home due to career responsibilities. Ashley says that, as a result, “my mom is who I connect with…I tell her my wishes, my school activities, about my friends, even about boys. We do have spats but they are pushed out of the way. She has been the one that comforted me when I cried…I love her very much.” back to top 
BLAKE W. CHAMBERS
LEWIS PALMER HIGH SCHOOL | MONUMENT, COLORADO Blake is first in his class with a perfect grade point average, and with a passion for “aerospace engineering and design of rockets and airplanes,” he dreams of being the first man on Mars. At a recent Science Olympiad, Blake's team took tenth place in the state competition. It was his first year with the team. “I am focused on participating in the national rocket competition (later in 2008).” At school Blake is involved with a wide variety of clubs and organizations, many of which have resulted in state-wide recognition. He has won statechampionships while participating in Knowledge Bowl, Mock Trial and Science Olympiad. He also plays trumpet in the school's nationally-acclaimed band. “Music is a way to express myself and to enjoy my time when I am too busy to hang with friends or get out of the house,” states Blake. In the summer Blake takes on landscaping jobs with his grandfather and earns some income by doing yard work for seniors around the neighborhood. He also participates in a club called EPYCS (El Pomar Youth in Community Service). Sponsored by the El Pomar Foundation, EPYCS is a philanthropy club in which students raise money to distribute among organizations in and around the community. Through the support of EL Pomar and the efforts of Blake and his group, a “battle of the bands” concert raised $8,000 which went to causes including wildlife preservation and services for the disabled. Outside of school, Blake is deeply involved in the Boy Scouts and plans to attain the rank of Eagle Scout this November. His Scouting activities range from clearing trees as part of forest fire prevention programs, and restoring trails in the Rocky Mountains, to joining with other Scout musicians to play holiday music for a local senior home. Blake gets his inspiration from his mother. Her promising future as a professional dancer was lost due to a devastating car accident which nearly cost her the ability to walk at all. However, says Blake, “my mother simply got up and learned to walk right onto the MIT campus. She is the strongest woman I know…She gives me advice on every step of my journey and encourages me to follow my dream no matter what.”
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KERI CRESBAUGH
SPARTA HIGH SCHOOL | SPARTA, NEW JERSEY Keri ranks in the highest 3% of her class and is a prominent athlete. Co-captain of her basketball team, she is also a leader of her school's softball, soccer and lacrosse teams. She led her team to Sussex County Interscholastic League (SCIL) basketball championships two years running and was named the team's most valuable player in her sophomore and junior years. At school Keri is active in student council, is a peer leader of the Peer Development Program at her school and is a member of Key Club. Throughout her high school career she has planned the school's homecoming dance and “Battle of the Classes” event. During the summer Keri works as a lifeguard at the Jersey Shore – a job that has made her more aware of community issues and her abilities as a leader. During the school year Keri works with fifth through eighth grade girls' recreational basketball league, serving as a referee. Such activities, as well as being a camp counselor for the town's basketball and lacrosse camps, allow Keri to “be a role model for the young girls who would like to play basketball in high school.” Keri is also an active member of Pass It Along, an organization that supplies food for the holidays as well as arts and crafts for children throughout the year. back to top 
NORRELL EDWARDS
NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK What most distinguishes Norrell is her dedication to others. She has made a great difference in many children's lives in and around her home community of New Rochelle, NY. She tutors in an after-school program called Academic Pathways and recently helped a third-grade boy learn to read. Says Norrel, "I am so proud of him. I cannot wait for the day he can write complete sentences without copying them from a text." As a participant in Ignite, Norrell helps mentor ninth graders in freshman English. In the summer, she volunteers as a camp counselor, logging over 280 hours of service time helping young campers. Recently, she and a friend organized a drive to collect books for low-income children in the area. Donation boxes are strategically placed all around New Rochelle at locations such as the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA and the New Rochelle Public Library. With 1000 titles collected as of April, she is well on track to distribute 2008 books in summer 2008. Norrell Edwards is a young woman who makes a real difference in people's lives. In school Norrell is a solid student who takes AP courses. She is a member of the Black Culture Club and the Human Rights Coalition. Norrell lives with her mother and grandmother. Her grandmother has Alzheimer's disease and the family struggles financially. Still, Norrell puts on a very happy demeanor. "I'm a dedicated person. Once I start something I need to finish it. I love helping people and meeting new people. Sometimes I want to help people so much that I have a hard time recognizing my boundaries." back to top 
KELI GENTILINI
BAKER HIGH SCHOOL | BAKER, MONTANA Ranked first in her class, Keli takes a combination of regular and AP courses at her high school. She is involved in many school organizations, including student union, student council, FCCLA (Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America) and the National Honor Society. She is also the junior class secretary. Keli plays on the varsity volleyball, basketball and tennis teams, and is
musically inclined as well. An accomplished saxophonist, she plays with the District 11 Honor Band. Keli is also active in her community. Whereever there are community clean-up crews, you just might find her! She also helps at a community soup kitchen, teaches at her church's vacation Bible school each summer and recently participated in a hurricane relief effort in the Virgin Islands. Custody of Keli and her three siblings is shared by their divorced parents. Keli earns spending money by working part-time as a front office clerk and maid at a local motel. Keli is clearly a role model for others in her community and has a “well-rounded idea” of what she wants in life. She strives for excellence in all areas, and understands the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol, whose negative effects on her community are obvious to Keli. back to top 
KASEY R. GLASS
WESTHILL HIGH SCHOOL | STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT Kasey is a born social entrepreneur. In the past two years she has co-chaired and organized a holiday food drive for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County; co-chaired and organized a bake sale to benefit Stamford Animal Care and Control, and developed an ongoing fundraiser for Connecticut's Kids in Crisis program. For this effort, Kasey manages up to 18 young people who work as servers at a local restaurant and donate their tips to Kids in Crisis. “We average about $100 per hour for local needy children,” says Kasey. This adds up to an impressive $5000 per year. Kasey is also co-founder and co-president of “Happy Club,” whose 35 members meet twice monthly to improve teen self esteem, promote friendship and help everyone “…find inner happiness”. But Happy Club is also involved in community service activities. Last Valentine's Day, members served a hot lunch to guests who were residents of St. Luke's LifeWorks in Stamford, a facility providing services for people impacted by HIV, homelessness and mental illness. Recently, Happy Clubbers planted a memorial garden at Fort Stamford to honor fallen soldiers from the Iraq War. They have also entertained residents of the local senior center and teamed with other local groups to clean up Cove Beach in Stamford. Partly as a result of Kasey's work on Happy Club, the organization was named Most Outstanding Youth Group of 2007 by the Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County. An excellent skier, Kasey also plays tennis and loves music and reading. “I am never without a book or an Ipod.” She also loves languages and is enrolled in honors Spanish. She lives with both parents, but says she has received her “perfectionist qualities” from her mother. “[My parents'] philosophy of life is that whatever you choose to do, just do it to the best of your ability.” Kasey certainly follows this principle in all that she does. back to top 
DANA L. HONICK
GAHANNA LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL | GAHANNA, OHIO Dana lives to achieve what others may only dream. Her accomplishments stand out among the 500+ students in her graduating class at Gahanna Lincoln. She leads her peers as president of the school's Environmental Club; an active member in Link Crew, a program that welcomes incoming freshmen; a leader in National Honor Society; a participant in Renaissance, an organization that acknowledges students who exhibit ethical and academic leadership; and a founding member of her school's chapter of Soroptimist Club, a women's service organization. Dana is involved in many service activities as well. She tutors Somali immigrants studying for their US citizenship test on Sunday afternoons; works as a teacher's aid at her synagogue; and on Thursdays she recycles her school's paper. She has also organized school bake sales and benefit programs to support the environmental club. Her personal achievements are anchored in the active life Dana leads, and she says she is most influenced by her peers who constantly teach her "new ways of approaching the world." States Dana, "I may not be able to move mountains, but I surely can devote time to help those in need (and) I look to education for a doorway to endless possibilities." back to top 
KAILEY ELYSE JACKSON
LOS BANOS HIGH SCHOOL | LOS BANOS, CALIFORNIA Kailey ranks first in her class of almost 600 students and served as class president during her junior year. She takes a full load of AP (advanced placement) classes including biology, art history, English and U. S. history. Kailey is also president of First Priority, a campus Christian club, and is very involved in the associated student body organization. She has acted in many school plays and has worked to plan numerous school events. Church plays an important part in Kailey's life. She is a counselor during summer vacation Bible school at her church and participated on a mission trip last summer, helping to refurbish a local park and volunteering at a children's center. A bit of a nonconformist, Kailey is known for unconventional dress styles."People recognize me by the way I dress, which often consists of mismatched shoes, goggles around my neck and a lunchbox. This is my way of uniquely expressing joy and creating a good time with the little things." Kailey lives with both of her parents and her brother. Says Kailey, "I am proud to be my brother's sister. We're great friends." back to top 
KATIE E. JACKSON
CENTRAL KITSAP HIGH SCHOOL | SILVERDALE, WASHINGTON Every Thursday afternoon, Katie shows up at a local food bank. She stock shelves, cleans and packages food for distribution to needy families in and around Silverdale. A while back she organized a clothing drive in support of ALIVE, a women's shelter sponsored by the YMCA, that resulted in donations of $6,000 worth of clothing. “This volunteering is important to me because I can see the direct results of my efforts.” Katie applies herself with equal diligence at school, where she is first in her class of over 400. She was president of Key Club in her junior year and was reelected for her senior year. With over 90 members, the Central Kitsap High Key Club is the fourth largest chapter of the service organization in Washington State. A couple of years ago Katie helped organize a group called STARS (Students Together Achieving a Respectable Society). The group's members were passionate about helping homeless teens in Katie's community, and raised money through book sales at a local coffee house. Although the group did not become a permanent organization, the process greatly influenced Katie and her vision of herself. During summers Katie works to support life's extras through lawn work and babysitting, but her main focus is on her academic work and community service. “Some people call me a perfectionist, but I think that I just work hard at everything I do,” says Katie. She lives with both parents, to whom she gives full credit for her success. “Without them it would have been a difficult, difficult path.” back to top 
CHRISTOPHER ROBERT JACOBS
MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL | INDIALANTIC, FLORIDA Chris is a diligent and disciplined student and the results show. "I study at least 28 hours per full week and try extremely hard to maintain my grades,” he states. As a result of his dedication, he is first in his class of about 600 students at one of the area's top high schools. In addition, he works part-time at a local restaurant, mows lawns in the summer and occasionally works for his father's landscape lighting company. However, his favorite job was his most recent -- working for the Brevard County Ocean/Fire Rescue Division as an ocean lifeguard. At school Chris participates in a variety of clubs. He is an active member of Beta Club, a student government representative, vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a competitor on the Melbourne Surf Team. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. Chris is also very active in his church and plays saxophone for morning worship services. He participates in weekly beach cleanup operations sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy and has traveled to Haiti during summers on medical mission trips to assist poor people with their medical needs. Chris lives with both his parents and his six siblings. He credits his father for having the strongest influence on him. "Since I was a boy, my dad has always instilled in me an ethic of hard work, [working] at least sixty hours a week to bring food to the table." back to top 
PAULINA KARPIS
STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL | STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK
“I work hard in school because I want to live the American dream; I want to be an award-winning journalist,” says Paulina. Whether in school or elsewhere, she loves to write and uses her passion to help her succeed in whatever she does. Paulina is an academic star, earning a 97% average at Stuyvesant, one of the most rigorous schools in America. She challenges herself with AP and honors classes, and also takes college-level courses through the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth program.“I have pursued my love of writing for the last seven years,” says Paulina. “I entered my first writing contest in 2001, and since then I have won at least one contest every year.” Among other awards, she has won the United Way of NYC Literacy and Arts Initiative Essay Contest; she was published in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: the Real Deal Challenges; she won the Face of Sassy Girl Competition; and she was New York State winner in the Society of Professional Journalists' essay contest on the topic “Why Free News Media is Important.” Paulina also uses her writing talents to serve her school. She is currently news editor of the Stuyvesant Spectator, directing a staff of 35 students. As editor she not only reports on the on school news, she also teaches lessons and runs meetings and workshops. When she is not writing, Paulina is either volunteering at the Family Torah Center, honing her ballet skills, or tutoring students. In recognition of her computing-related achievements and interests, she received the National Center for Women and Information Technology Award for Aspirations in Computing, Paulina believes that her parents have helped her reach her goals. “My family has influenced me the most,” she says. “They pushed me to read many books and in that way, I developed my love for reading and, later, writing.” back to top 
BRANDON LAW
WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL | MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA “Many words can describe me: student, inventor, scientist, philanthropist, economist, volunteer…but I think ‘passionate' is most fitting,” says Brandon. His passion, he believes, combine with his intellect and drive to make him a standout among America's high school students. Brandon's proudest achievements are those related to his success in science. In addition to winning regional and state awards in the Science Olympiad and Science Fair, Brandon spends much of his time on scientific endeavors that have earned him third place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. He is currently a research associate at the Neuro-Oncology Laboratory at the University of Minnesota; he participates in the Honors Mentor Connection program where he is able to investigate metabolic approaches for the treatment of mouse glioma brain tumor cells; he co-authored a paper titled New Approach To Evaluation of Dielectric Properties of Water with Connected Resonance Contours; and he has a patent pending for a cytotoxic drug screening device. In addition to being an accomplished scientist, Brandon is also an excellent figure skater. He has received over 250 awards from participating in local figure skating competitions as well as the annual Ice Skating Institute World Championship. As stated in his quote, Brandon sees himself as a philanthropist. He volunteers for the Wayzata Music Education Boosters and the Hillcrest Senior Campus. Most notably, he founded the American Brain Cancer Association, through which he hopes to raise money to help people who need treatment for brain cancer but who cannot afford health insurance. Brandon's inspiration is his grandfather, who lost his life to cancer before Brandon was old enough to form many memories of him. Stories and pictures relating to his grandfather's life have inspired Brandon to dedicate his life to finding a cure for this disease which deprives us all of so many valuable people. back to top 
MAYA MADHAVAN
BRECKSVILLE-BROADVIEW HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL | BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OHIO Having skipped both sixth and seventh grades, 14-year-old Maya Madhavan is the youngest junior in her class and one of its outstanding students. She is in the top five percent of about 450 students and has a PSAT score that puts her well above the 99th percentile nationwide. In her school, Maya tutors her peers in algebra, calculus and science subjects. She is an active participant in the Model UN, belongs to the Math Club and was selected for the state-level Science Olympiad team and the national-level Chemistry Olympiad team. She is part of the school's Academic Challenge team and was chosen to represent the school for the National Vocabulary Challenge. Outside of school her academic achievements and activities are equally impressive – especially when considering her young age. In the summer of 2007 Maya worked on a robotics project at Case Western Reserve University's Medical Robotics and Computer Integrated Surgery Lab. She currently volunteers with the Lupus Foundation, lobbying for increased public funding to fight the debilitating disease. Maya was selected to participate in Ohio's Girls State program in summer 2008. Time magazine and Massachusetts' Bentley College honored her with their annual “Tomorrow25” leadership award, given to 25 high school juniors from an international pool of nominees Maya has been socially conscious since her elementary school years. Before moving to Ohio, her family lived in West Virginia. As a middle school student, affected by the death of a neighbor who had been a life-long coal miner, Maya investigated the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in coal miners and led a march against Alzheimer's disease in Charleston, West Virginia. She credits her father for being actively involved “with seeking out opportunities for me and helping me make good decisions…(while) my mother helps me figure out the small trials that happen weekly, and she can empathize with all my minor worries.” back to top 
VINCENT ROSSETTI
PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL | PEMBERTON, NEW JERSEY Vincent is a young man who is driven to succeed academically, economically and in life. He takes advanced courses in school and is in the top 8% of his class. Working to help pay his way and contribute to his family, he operates the El Toro roller coaster at the nearby Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park. At school he is known as an upbeat person who loves being funny. “I love making people laugh even in the most serious of situations. I believe it helps people throughout life to relax.” Vincent is in the National Honor Society and earned a letter in golf, but
his main activity is in the Army's Junior ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program. He is slated to be the unit's battalion commander during his senior year. As part of the Junior ROTC program, Vincent commands the rifle team and color guard. He has won many rifle competitions. At a recent Burlington, NJ, rifle competition he took first place in all positions (prone, standing and kneeling) and was the event's “Top Gun” (best shooter). His team also took first place. Community service activities are an important part of Vincent's life both within the Junior ROTC program and in other areas. He helped organize a fundraising event that paid for the unit's summer camp trip. Other activities include volunteering to help pre-school kids at a local roller rink; and working with the National Honor Society in its charitable events. Vincent lives with both parents and his older brother. His father is a patrolman on the police force of the City of Trenton, NJ; he describes his mother as “awesome,” and his view of life is in the moment: “I can be a great student and athlete but tomorrow I can be killed. I think of myself as a philosopher.” back to top 
SARAH NICOLE STARK
MACON COUNTY R-1 HIGH SCHOOL | MACON, MISSOURI
Often what is most telling about someone when adversity strikes, is what they do following the traumatic event. Sarah Stark was involved in a life-threatening ATV and vehicle accident that resulted in lengthy hospitalization and six surgeries. As a result she missed a considerable amount of school. However, she never gave up and is presently nearing her goal of being one of the top ten students in her class – which she intends to be at graduation. Sarah's experience as a patient in a local physical therapy clinic for two years resulted in a work opportunity. While working at the clinic, she has learned “great skills such as taking care of others, calling insurance companies and other secretarial skills.” Sarah now works at the Macon YMCA. In the fall of 2007, she completed her Girl Scout Gold Award, which “would be my biggest achievement yet.” Her program, “Tiger Fitness,” was a six-week program for young girls in the fourth and fifth grades. “I (taught) the girls about positive body image, healthy eating and the importance of exercise.” At school she works on the yearbook staff and loves covering school activities and meeting deadlines. As a member of the National Honor Society, Sarah helps to design the chapter's T-shirts and to raise money for its charitable efforts during the holidays. She has also assisted other Girl Scouts with their community projects such as local food drives, Relay for Life events showcasing cancer survivors, making greeting cards for veterans and collecting volunteers' hair for use in the Locks of Love program, which provides hairpieces for those experiencing hair loss as a result of illness. Sarah hopes to become a psychologist. “I want to help teenagers and young adults find out how to be happy and deal with their stresses…in a healthy way.” She lives with her parents. Her mother, a breast-cancer survivor, was an inspiration to Sarah while she recovered from her near-fatal accident. “Seeing her be a positive person has really helped me get through the … trauma of my hospitalization and recovery after my accident.” back to top 
MICAH W. STRINGER
EVADALE HIGH SCHOOL | EVADALE, TEXAS Micah is counted among the top students in his small rural community, but what really makes him stand out is the leadership role he plays at school and in his community. One of the advantages for teens in small town America today is that if they choose to step forward, leadership opportunities are just about everywhere. Micah takes advantage of such opportunities wherever and whenever possible. For example,
he manages a fireworks stand during the short two-week fireworks season. His responsibilities include developing the staffing plan, scheduling workers, stocking, customer service and cash management. Such an opportunity would be rare for a high school student in a large city. As quarterback of his school football team, he led the team to district championships for two years running, and in the off season Micah runs hurdles on the track team. He has also participated in basketball, tennis and baseball. He is in the National Honor Society, student council, a theatrical group called One Act Play and the Future Farmers of America. Micah is involved in many community service activities that include: book drives to support his school library; tutoring of kindergarten students every week; coaching a Little Dribblers basketball team; and helping during a local fair called the Festival. Through a local grocery chain, Micah helps with a feast to feed the homeless at Christmas. “I live with both ‘original parents,' as I like to call them,” says Micah. Nearby are grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. back to top 
GEORGIA STASINOPOULOS
STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL | STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK Georgia describes herself as having an “overwhelming desire to master my surroundings and affect them in a positive way. This desire,” says Georgia, “transformed into a natural sense of leadership.” In school, Georgia works hard to master all the subjects she pursues in school--her dedication is reflected in her 4.0 GPA. Her commitment to schoolwork relates directly to her character, she explains. “My personality is very easy to define, through the words of Abraham Lincoln: 'By all means, do not say ”If I can”—say ”I will.”'” In addition to succeeding in her everyday classes, Georgia has received numerous recognitions for her writing, including a first place poetry award and a second place nonfiction award from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in New York. In 2008, she was ranked one of the top 12 teenage poets in New York City by the Alan G. Ross Memorial Project. Since seventh grade, she has participated each year in National Novel Writing Month.
Debate is another passion for Georgia. She is assistant captain for the Lincoln Douglas Debate Team at her school, placing well at many local and national competitions. Her efforts culminated this year in qualifying for National Championships, where she had the opportunity to represent her school at a national level. The final outcome found her ranked eleventh in the nation overall as a junior. “I have always had the tendency to dedicate myself to a variety of projects and activities because of my unchecked curiosity and desire to learn,” says Georgia. Among other activities, Georgia founded National Novel Writing Month Writers Club, is a staff member of the school newspaper, is a member of the National Honor Society, and participates actively in such cultural activities as the Stuyvesant Chamber Choir, the Hellenic Dancers at her church, and her community center's annual oratorical festival. back to top 
KELLY L. VOLTZ
STONE BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL | ASHBURN, VIRGINIA Kelly has learned how to balance school, work, community service and sports in a way that will likely make her very successful as an adult. She is a very accomplished, achievement-oriented young woman, but Kelly takes the greatest pride in having established the Taylor Werner Scholarship Fund for a friend who sustained a traumatic brain injury. Through Kelly's efforts the fund now stands at over $6000, and she says this “has been my greatest success.” At her school Kelly is a leading student and participates on the school's varsity swim, lacrosse and cross-country teams. She is heavily involved in DECA, an organization dedicated to developing future marketing and management leaders, which she serves as chapter vice president. She is also active in the Virginia-state DECA organization, filling the role of Virginia DECA reporter. She is historian of her school's Awareness Club, which is dedicated to raising student awareness of important social and civic issues, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Kelly volunteers her time at a YMCA Summer Camp. She has helped rebuild Heritage Farms; worked on Potomac River cleanup projects; planned holiday activities for the Loudoun County Homeless Shelter; coordinated toy drives for needy children; and worked for the Salvation Army. Kelly splits her time between her parents, but says her dad influences her greatly. “My dad has taught me dedication and honesty, which I believe are my two strongest traits today.” Kelly's stepmother had spinal surgery eight years ago and has not been able to walk properly since then. “Her willingness to keep going…has inspired me to never give up.” back to top 
CLAYTON T. WHITE
NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK Leadership in the Boy Scouts of America has been a major involvement for Clayton. Not only was he elected to the Order of the Arrow, BSA's prestigious national honor society, but he has also served his Westchester Putnam Council as the county's youngest-ever Lodge Chief. Clayton had risen to this position when his predecessor was badly injured in an accident. At the end of his term he refused re-nomination and instead worked to return the job to the same person, who was still struggling with recovery. It was a noble and gracious act of leadership on Clayton's part. At school Clayton has shown strong entrepreneurial skills. When the school eliminated all sugar snacks, Clayton “spotted an excellent opportunity to fill a consumer need.” He buys candy in bulk from a wholesale store and sells the candy after school and off-property at sporting events. As a result, he no longer has to request money from his parents for movies, Scout trips, team equipment or even uniforms! Clayton White is a solid AP (advanced placement) student in his school and is involved in the school wrestling and rugby programs. Further, through Scouting and other organizations he is a consummate community servant participating in blood drives, holiday gift collection and distribution programs, and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life program. Clayton has also participated in the Order of the Arrow's AmeriCares Home Front Day, an annual service project aimed at renovating a single home in one day. Clayton has a large family that includes not only three siblings and his parents, but also a raft of cousins. “My father was one of seven kids and he was raised with his cousins, so it's like he had five [extra] brothers and sisters. We get together for every holiday and a different family hosts the party of the weekend.” back to top
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