g i r l s onth e g o Hough senior Lexi Powers chaired A Giving Spirit Foundation Teen Council of Lake Norman, a division of AGSF, an organization that supports local mothers battling ALS and ALS research. Last August, the council held Walk Around the Clock, to encourage pledged, teenaged, aware teams to walk for 24 hours. “As diverse peers, we dedicated countless project hours because we couldn’t disappoint these mothers,” Lexi says. “We’d set an aggressive goal of $3,000, but raised more than $12,000! All the hours and stress were worth it.” The group was invited, as guests of Larry Tarica, co-owner of the JimLar Corporation, to attend the Project A.L.S. Gala in New York City. “We loved meeting celebrities like Katie Couric and Ben Stiller, but we enjoyed more learning their connections to Project ALS and its research.” Project founders, Meredith and Valerie Estess, introduced the teens to a promising researcher and previewed experiments about lexi powers motor-neurons and stem-cell therapy. The group toured Columbia University Medical School’s research laboratories. “Teen Council has been a blessing,” Lexi says, “instilling a drive to continue to serve others.” Bailey Middle
School eighth grader Izzy Karriker discovered her talent at 8 years old through a gift in the mail. Her grandmother had sent her a painting she’d hung for many Izzy Karriker (r) years. “I thought it would be nice to return it in my own way, so I painted a replica, which now hangs in Honduras,” Izzy says.
Izzy, who enjoys playing competitive soccer—and just about all activities with her twin sister, Anabella—started painting landscapes and “little villages and cottages,” influenced by Central American and European images. “Painting connects me to family overseas, including a distant relative who also paints,” she says. Izzy’s paintings are showcased on FineArtAmerica.com, where she sells her art or reproductions (greeting cards or smartphone cases). Izzy has donated some proceeds and some paintings to charity. “Many charities raise money for schools or broken families,” she says. “I’ve painted each week with my teacher, Manny Rashed, for more than six years.” While she may have a studio one day, Izzy says she will follow God’s path for her, whatever that is.
Izzy’s paintings can be found on www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/artbyizzy.html Rachel Cowley “Until high school,
my longest stint was three years, in a comfortable life of Californian Army Brat,” Hough senior Rachel Cowley says. Born in Germany, Rachel’s first years afford memories of winning Austrian mountain ski-school races and swimming championship races in
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the Berlin Olympic Pool. But as a freshman, Rachel was shy. She says, “I liked reading, writing, and watching movies with my cat. As a sophomore, a part in the play led to managing the swimming and diving teams.” She joined honor societies, service and culture clubs; and today, some accolades include yearbook
editor-in-chief, co-president of National History Honor Society, and PTSA senior representative. Last summer, Rachel attended North Carolina Governor’s School for social sciences. “I was burnt-out after a first year of AP classes. I was honored, but I wasn’t sure about spending the
summer in school,” she admits. “However, it was perfect for confidently developing my beliefs, and becoming more comfortable expressing myself. Through topics like racism and sexism, I realized how affected people become, even by micro-aggressions. Today, I work to improve myself and to inspire others.”