Steven Peterson from Rice Lake High School, Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Concerned with the quality of life faced by humans and animals in northwestern Wisconsin, Steven coordinated an Environmental and Community Service Day that included activities for 1200 students. The many projects included planting 100 fish cribs in connection with the Department of Natural Resources, painting warning signs on storm sewers that dump into the river, and planting shrubs and flower gardens at various city, township and county parks. Steve spent months before the actual day meeting with community officials, providing instructional seminars to school children, and helping teachers facilitate activities with their students. The seeds of his hard labor have lead to two more Environmental and Community Service Days in subsequent years.

Steve will attend St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin.

Joanna Pitstick from Wayne High School, Huber Heights, Ohio

In late 2000, a student from her high school died as a result of heart disease. This tragedy led Joanna to take a leadership role in developing a foundation to raise money for medical costs for terminally ill children in her community. She contacted business sponsors and organized fund raising drives "For Kids By Kids," which she established at Wayne High School, will continue as an on-going student project.

Joanna will attend Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio

Heather Placenti from Pemberton Township High School, Pemberton, New Jersey

After two students in her high school committed suicide in the same year, Heather approached a counselor at her high school to see what could be done to prevent future tragedies. With some friends, she organized WHY (We Help You,) a suicide prevention program. The very first day that the program began, two students asked for help. The program, which took more than a year to plan, has been in effect for over a year and has grown from eight peer counselors to thirty-four peer counselors. Now students in trouble at Pemberton Township High School have somewhere to turn.

Heather will attend Rider University in the fall of 2001.

Ashley Ragland from Blackwell High School, Blackwell, Texas

When the town of Blackwell has a need, Ashley Ragland does something about it. When her social studies teacher suggested a town cleanup, Ashley got maps of the town, divided it into grids and assigned student and adult volunteers areas to work in. She contacted the county commissioner to find ways to dispose of all of the trash.

Ashley was completely responsible for the community blood drive held in Blackwell on December 4, 2000. She was also instrumental in refurbishing a local basketball and tennis court

Ashley will attend Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

Jamie Ridgely from North Carroll High School, Hampstead, Maryland

Jamie Ridgely began a life of community service at the age of nine when she got out her wagon and went door to door asking neighbors for donations of food for needy families. This was how her organization, "Helpfulhands" was born. Jamie recruits kids and teens to help with a variety of projects. Jamie manages to match her student volunteers with jobs that suit them and her volunteer base continues to grow month by month. Her projects have expanded to help those whom she calls the emotionally starved as well as the physically starved.

Last year Jamie started her own website, www.helpfulhands.cjb.net in hopes of expanding her program all over the country. National magazines such as Seventeen and National Geographic World have helped by advertising this site for her. Jamie now has 18 directors in other states, one in Canada and one in Germany who have started their own Helpfulhands organizations. Jamie provides start up packs for those interested in being directors.

Jamie will graduate from high school in 2003.