Nathan Sokolic, 18 During his sophomore year, Nathan facilitated a partnership between his school, Pace Academy, and The Albert T. Mills Enrichment Center, an inner-city ministry that serves pre-schoolers from Atlanta’s toughest neighborhoods. That same year, he coordinated Pace’s most successful Thanksgiving drive to date. As a junior, Nathan launched a clothing drive for CHRIS Kids, an organization that offers an array of individualized programs and family services. He has been a service leader for Habitat for Humanity since his junior year, and leads the student body in service hours with more than 1,000 hours, most of which have been spent working with underprivileged children. “It is important to me because I have been tremendously blessed in my life,” Nathan says. “I have been provided with a loving mother, a home to live in and a fantastic school to attend. But not everyone has the opportunities that I have had and I feel that it is my responsibility to give back to those who have been less fortunate that I have.”
Olivia Koscik, 16 & Grace Broadbent, 17
Students at Woodward Academy, Olivia and Grace started a chapter of Blessings in a Backpack at the school along with Olivia’s sisters, Isabelle and Ansley. As a team they worked to pack 30 bags with food every week for needy students at Mt. Olive Elementary School. “When we were able to involve our school it was amazing to see all of the people who came to help us pack the bags,” Olivia says. “Giving back to the community is important to me because I am able to help those who are in need and hopefully inspire others to do the same.” Grace agrees. “I feel it is important to take care of those who I consider my neighbors, and Blessings in a Backpack provided me with this opportunity. Knowing that there are so many children who do not have enough to eat on the weekends that are so close by, I felt compelled to help in any way I could.” Grace, the daughter of Steve and Mary Broadbent, is a senior and Olivia, the daughter of Joe and Ella Koscik, is a junior. A t l a n t a I N t o w n P a p e r. c o m
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January 2014 | IN