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Students are taught about their leaders, but all the scholarship in the world is worthless if they hide behind history books and do not emulate what they have learned. Leaders move and speak boldly.
Bayan Misaghi
In embracing my differences, instead of covering them up, I have gained the confidence to promote a positive body image among my peers so they will accept their individual differences. I orchestrated Love Your Body Week. We covered all the mirrors at school and gave each student a hand-written compliment.
Caroline Nixon
Charleston, W.Va. George Washington High School
Atlanta, Ga. Pace Academy As a volunteer I learned that leadership meant sacrificing dignity to understand others for who they really are. True leaders embrace challenges and exemplify patience to help the team to accomplish goals together.
Hyon-Oung Moon
I am so much more than Shannimus Prime, the name my peers have affectionately given to the person they believe me to be. I am a math geek, a loud actress, a quiet bookworm, an athlete. I am all of these things wrapped into one, and each needs to be seen.
Shannon Nollet
Ann Arbor, Mich. Pioneer High School
Epping, N.H. Epping High School I volunteered on the District School Board Subcommittee for Curriculum and Assessment. It was my chance to have a voice and truly make a difference in my community as a representative of the student body.
Daniel Mooney
If courage is in short supply, it’s only because we decide it is. It is a choice to be brave and a choice to do what is right. One person’s decision to act with courage paves the way for many more people to follow their example.
Louisa Ortiz
Brentwood, N.H. Exeter High School
Ketchikan, Alaska Ketchikan High School I volunteered with a medical group in Uganda and witnessed the devastating impact of civil war. I promised myself that I would return one day with the goal of making medical care much more accessible to the people of Uganda and the rest of the third world.
Yashna Naidu Edmond, Okla. Heritage Hall
I’m a member of a pro-life organization of politically minded teens, and we spent three days on a lobbying trip to the United Nations. I came back from the trip very much changed. My worldview and convictions were strengthened, and my opinion of people with whom I disagreed became much more grounded in reality.
Connor Perkins
Ballwin, Mo. Oak Bridge Academy Homeschool