Jonathan Olsen, Lone Peak High School, Highland, Utah

Jonathan organized a project to help to beautify an environmentally sensitive area on the backside of Mt. Timpanogos near Provo, Utah. This area is a popular tourist destination that had become overgrown with invasive plant species and trash. Jon organized a group of 15 volunteers who put in over 90 man-hours clearing the area. Jon is currently a junior in high school.

Mariya Orlova, Dr. Michael Krop Senior high School, North Miami, Florida

Mariya began volunteering at Mount Sinai Medical Center by doing clerical jobs like filing and sealing envelopes. Soon, however, she became one of only 3 Russian-speaking volunteers who could help to translate for a primarily elderly Russian-speaking population of patients. She realized that communication between doctor and patient was negatively impacted without translation volunteers, and compiled a book of Russian-English medical terms and general phrases so that the doctors and the patients would be able to communicate when no volunteer was present. In the course of four years of volunteering, she became valued not just for her translating ability, but her sensitivity and compassion in dealing with social as well as medical issues. In addition, Mariya developed clerical systems that expedited reporting to the physician staff.

Mariya will attend the University of Chicago this fall.

Micah Platt, Cottonwoods High School, Holladay, Utah

Micah organized 8 other teens to help collect money and materials for a local elementary school that needed playground equipment. Micah asked a local grocery store to donate plastic bags, which he then, with help from his committee, distributed to about 170 homes along with a note explaining the project. Later, the teens returned to collect the donations of supplies and monetary donations. With the money, Micah purchased playground balls and jump ropes and delivered them to the school.

Micah will attend Utah State University in Logan, Utah this fall.

Ryan Reese, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA

Ryan organized a team of fellow Boy Scouts to repair and repaint a picket fence at a local church. The fence is in a prominent location and is on display not only to church members, but also to anyone in the community who is walking or driving by.

This fall, Ryan will attend the University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Nichole Riggs, Walla Walla High School, Walla Walla, Washington

Nichole worked for over a year to help create a teen center in her community. Once the center was up and running, she continued to stay involved by volunteering to work at various jobs. Since its opening, the Center has enjoyed more than 35,000 visits from area youth and the police chief reports that juvenile nuisance crime is down nearly 9%.

This fall, Nichole will attend Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington.