CATHLEEN POWELL

Cathleen Powell, 17, a senior at Gilmer County High School, raised more than $8,000 to benefit victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks through a statewide service “challenge” program among West Virginia high schools. “The feeling I got watching the September 11 tragedies on television is what initially inspired me to start the project,” Cathleen said. “I wanted my school to do something to help instead of just watch everyone suffering.” After obtaining the permission of school and government officials, Cathleen wrote letters challenging every high school in her state to raise money, and ended up collecting more than $8,000 for 9/11-related charities. Inspired by this experience, Cathleen and her fellow volunteers formed a school service club to work on a variety of volunteer projects. “Service Connection” volunteers have provided Christmas presents for needy children, helped a family whose belongings were lost in a house fire, mentored special education students, and initiated a pen-pal program with orphaned children in East Timor. “I hope that teenagers have been inspired to dedicate their lives to helping the people around them,” she said. “It’s essential for teenagers to give back to the world and volunteer.”

CHRISTEPHER ROMERO

Christepher Romero, 17, a junior at Sunnyslope High School, survived a rough childhood in an inner-city neighborhood and went on to develop a program that is now helping to keep other at-risk teens in his old school away from crime and drugs. When he was young, Chris’s mother struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and an inability to care for her children. Chris was recruited by neighborhood gangs, but was ultimately “saved” by a school counselor who later adopted him. In his new family, Chris began to think of the kids in his old neighborhood who did not have the opportunities he now enjoys. “I decided to do something to help them and honor my parents,” he said. He approached a police officer working at his former school and became a volunteer mentor. He soon put together a plan to teach kids swimming and soccer, conduct CPR and nutrition classes, and organize neighborhood “clean-ups.” Other students have since signed on to help Chris, and his program – called “School Buddies” – now also offers after-school tutoring and recreation activities during school breaks. Chris plans to start a foundation soon – named after his adoptive parents – to provide college scholarships to children from his old neighborhood.

GIDEON SOFER

Gideon Sofer, 18, a senior at Highland Park High School, is conducting a national campaign to raise awareness and funds to fight Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which has afflicted him for much of his life. After nearly dying three years ago from a particularly serious attack of Crohn’s disease, Gideon decided to take action. “I didn’t know how many days I had left,” he said, “but as long as I was being given the gift of life, I was going to do everything in my power to conquer this thing.” An avid stamp collector, he began by launching an effort to persuade the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp highlighting Crohn’s disease. He built a website to promote the idea, collected 5,000 signatures on a petition, and helped draft a Congressional resolution urging approval of the new stamp. Gideon also has delivered motivational lectures at schools and student conferences, and recently formed a foundation that is seeking pharmaceutical research grants to study the disease. “With Crohn’s or any adversity, you can live a life of sorrow feeling helpless,” he said, “or you can choose to turn it into an opportunity and realize you have the power to create change.”

WRAVENNA PHIPPS

Wravenna Phipps, 19, a freshman at Black Hawk College, created and conducted farm safety awareness programs for thousands of children and teens in her community. “After my cousin nearly died from a farm accident, I was inspired to take an active part in spreading the farm safety message,” Wravenna said. After researching current safety programs offered by the Progressive Farmer Safety Camps, Wravenna set goals and began planning her project. She designed some teaching materials, borrowed others from extension offices and businesses, recruited volunteers, and then organized nine school presentations and 12 safety day camps, impacting more than 57,163 young people. She also participated in panel discussions, public service announcements and television interviews, and helped develop a new safety curriculum reaching more than a million people across this nation. Her programs included information on lawn mower, tractor and ATV safety; hidden farm hazards; belts, chains, and augers; and grain and bin safety. “Since one half of all youth farm accidents occur to kids who don’t live on the farm and are visiting, I felt that I had a vital message for all youth,” she said.

COREY JOHNSON

Corey Johnson, 17, a student at Hilo High School, founded an organization of more than 100 young people from 12 schools who work together to address juvenile delinquency and other youth issues on his island. Corey’s idea for “Na Leo O Na Opio,” which means “The Voices of the Youth,” came to him while working with the prosecutor’s office to create a report on juvenile delinquency in Hawaii County. He realized that one report was not enough. “To provide solutions for juvenile delinquency, the entire youth population must be represented, and a youth voice must be established and maintained,” said Corey. So he worked with government agencies to create a formal youth development group, recruited students from 12 schools, and built partnerships with local organizations to focus on a wide range of initiatives that promote a positive environment for youth, relating to education, recreation, transportation, job opportunities, and healthy behavior. Approximately $100,000 has been raised to fund numerous projects, including a youth economic development center, a health fair for elementary children and a career fair for high school sophomores. “The mark you leave on this world comes with your capacity to care for others,” said Corey.

MARGARET REYNOLDS

Margaret Reynolds, 16, a sophomore at St. Catherine’s School, started a “Big Sisters” mentoring program that pairs middle and high school girls with at-risk children from St. James’ Children’s Center, a local daycare center at St. James’ Episcopal Church. Margaret used to visit the center with her mother to read stories to the children. “I knew how much these children needed individual attention and love, and a strong and steady role model,” said Margaret. She approached the director at the daycare center and her school’s middle level principal with her idea for “Big Sisters,” and both thought it was an excellent idea. Margaret spoke at a student assembly and 12 girls signed up. The Big Sisters visit the children every week, working on art projects with them, reading them stories, and lending an ear and a shoulder. The group also plans special events and fundraisers throughout the year. Two years after the program began, there are now 29 Big Sisters bringing sunshine to the children’s lives. “Not only do the children receive our special attention and affection, but we also feel their love for us in return,” said Margaret.

KEVIN KOO

Kevin Koo, 17, a senior at Nashua Senior High School, founded “Citizens of the World” (COW), a cultural awareness advocacy organization designed to build diversity appreciation through a variety of school programs and service projects. “I knew that my school needed some kind of awareness organization due to a growing minority student population and increasing tensions between ethnic groups, especially after the September 11 tragedies,” Kevin said. After obtaining permission from school officials, Kevin recruited teen volunteers and started planning events to educate the public and benefit needy people around the world. “Service is the hallmark of the organization,” he said. COW volunteers produced a school Festival of Cultures, encouraging students and community members to share their cultural heritage through art, dance, and music. Profits from the festival helped establish a permanent flag collection to represent the nationalities of everyone attending Nashua Senior High. Other activities include efforts to establish cultural media collections in school libraries and a book drive to benefit Taiwanese schools devastated by a 1999 earthquake. Locally, COW sponsored an anti-drug rally, a remembrance assembly honoring victims of 9/11, and formed the Diversity Education Alliance (a coalition of students working for gender and racial harmony).

SYDNY KOCH

Sydny Koch, 11, a sixth-grader at Agassiz Middle School, organized a cheerleading camp to give younger girls in her neighborhood something fun and safe to do on Saturday afternoons. Sydny began thinking about starting a “camp” after her young cousins showed her a children’s cheerleading video. “I loved to see my cousins having so much fun,” said Sydny. “I thought the little girls in my neighborhood would like to have fun cheerleading, too.” Sydny also thought they needed an activity to keep them from playing in the street and possibly getting hit by cars. The only problem was: Sydny didn’t know much about cheerleading. So she researched cheerleading squads, cheers and routines; interviewed cheerleaders; and attended a special cheerleading day camp. With the help of a friend, Sydny inaugurated her camp last September with sessions every other Saturday afternoon. “The girls have learned confidence, leadership, and lots of athletic skills,” said Sydny. “And the parents know their children are safe.”

LAUREL BARCHAS

Laurel Barchas, 15, a junior at Truckee High School, started an after-school program that recruits members of her high school band to give private music lessons to elementary school children from low-income and Latino families. “I came up with this idea after I realized that music, this thing that has been part of my life since childhood, is simply not an option for others,” said Laurel. After developing a business plan and budget, Laurel met with local school and community officials to obtain support, find space for lessons, and secure liability insurance. Letters, phone calls, grant applications and presentations to civic and business organizations raised more than $11,000 to rent and purchase instruments, music books, and accessories. Laurel also wrote and translated applications, letters, informational brochures and contracts for prospective students. Laurel and three other teen volunteers now provide weekly private music lessons to twenty students. “Music is a creative outlet for energy and has been proven to help kids improve in their academics,” said Laurel. “My program opens the door for young children who otherwise couldn’t afford music lessons and instruments. It also gives talented musicians in my high school band the opportunity to provide a community service and develop their own skills.”

JACOB KOMAR

Jacob Komar, 10, a sixth-grader at Talcott Mountain Academy in Avon, initiated a program called “Computers for Communities” that has restored and upgraded more than 60 outdated personal computers and installed them in the homes of families that couldn’t afford to buy one. Jacob, a self-described “computer fanatic,” was shocked when he learned of an entire warehouse at his sister’s school filled with old computers that were going to be thrown out. He realized he could refurbish the computers and give them to people who could not afford their own. “I thought that by doing this, I would help a lot of kids get a head start,” said Jacob. First, he secured the school district’s approval to take the old computers, and then went to work on the machines – analyzing, trouble-shooting and rebuilding. He had to call numerous software companies to transfer licenses, and installed new software and hardware where appropriate. In order to identify those in his community most in need of computers, Jacob worked with the Department of Social Services. When the computers were ready, Jacob installed them in their new homes and taught 140 family members how to use them. As word of his project has spread, Jacob has received more computer donations, and he has recruited other students at his school to help. He also has received requests from organizations that want to start similar programs, and he hopes to eventually see the project expand to other communities across the country.