Wade Alan Ash
Atmore, AL
Escambia Academy
Graduation Year: 2009

Wade founded the “D’s Tees” charity - a project of converting bright and colorful t-shirts into comfortable hospital gowns for children and adults - in memory of his best friend, who lost his battle to brain cancer.

Holly Boone
Terry, MS
Terry High School
Graduation Year: 2009

As a dedicated volunteer, and with the goal of educating children and teens about the dangers of smoking, Holly became involved with the American Heart Association. Using the organizational, fundraising, and management skills gained from her many community service activities, she recruited and led lead a team for the American Heart Walk. She raised $730 for the cause ($530 higher than her goal!) while sharing life-changing information with scores of people at school, at church, and in her home town.

Valerie Carroll
Oreland, PA
Mount St. Joseph Academy
Graduation Year: 2009

While working as a volunteer intern at The Nature Center of Cape May, Valerie conceptualized, designed, compiled, and produced an education packet for teachers at the center to incorporate into their lesson plans for the children’s science and environmental classes. The packets included activities, stories, games, and helpful suggestions for living an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Katherine Gilruth
Montclair, NJ
Montclair High School
Graduation Year: 2009

Katherine founded the “Fair Trade” Club in her high school to help peers and community members become conscious consumers and active supporters of Fair Trade. “Fair Trade” means that producers such as small farmers and artisans in developing countries receive fair wages for their goods and work in a safe, environmentally sustainable conditions. The club was actively involved in getting their town certified as a “Fair Trade Town”. This initiative was approved unanimously by the town council, with a declaration that the use of Fair Trade products would be supported town-wide.

Morgan Griesemer
Ooltewah, TN
Home Life Academy
Graduation Year: 2009

Morgan and her younger sister (aged 12) developed and implemented a program of violin instruction at an inner-city school in Chattanooga, TN. They give weekly lessons to students in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades. They also provide performance opportunities for the students and a field trip to the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Youth Orchestra concert for the students and their parents. Due to the enthusiastic response their program has received, they envision expanding the violin program and adding other stringed instruments so the children can work on chamber music and prepare for more rigorous orchestral training.