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| AMG's 2008 "18 under 18" Project On behalf of AMG's staff, I am so pleased to announce the results of our "18 under 18" project! We searched nationwide for 18 young women making a difference, and we were amazed by the outstanding nominations we received. Here are our top 18 teens - the new crew of role models for girls everywhere! The entire list is below - scroll down to see the incredible teens who make up 2008's top 18 under 18. Sincerely, Sarah Chaisson Warner Editor in Chief Alexandra - 13 - Meredith, NH Audra - 18 - South Ozone Park, NY Carolyn - 13 - Wynnewood, PA Colleen - 18 - Bow, NH Crystal - 16 - Cupertino, CA Dahlia - 15 - Chicago, IL Gretchen - 18 - Nelson, NH Hannah - 18 - Albany, NY Image - 18 - Solon, OH Julia - 16 - South Orange, NJ Kayla - 17 - Rome, OH Leanna - 12 - Long Island, NY Lillie - 17 - Hopkinton, NH Megan - 16 - Gilford, NH Meggie - 18 - Oro Valley, AZ Meredith - 16 - Menands, NY Nafeesah - 18 - Claremont, CA Samantha - 18 - Brooklyn, NY |
Alexandra - 13 - Meredith, NH
Everyone who knows Alexandra says what a wonderful girl she is!
Alexandra plays basketball for her school and AAU, and is a referee for
the Bill Lamper Youth Basketball League. Her positive attitude makes
her a role model among other basketball players, especially the younger
girls.
Alexandra is also an environmental activist, and realizes that big
changes need to be made in the way we treat the Earth. She is also
involved in Student leadership at her school and participates in Chorus.
Everyone who knows Alexandra says what a wonderful girl she is!
Alexandra plays basketball for her school and AAU, and is a referee for
the Bill Lamper Youth Basketball League. Her positive attitude makes
her a role model among other basketball players, especially the younger
girls.
Alexandra is also an environmental activist, and realizes that big
changes need to be made in the way we treat the Earth. She is also
involved in Student leadership at her school and participates in Chorus.
Audra - 18 - South Ozone Park, NY
Growing up, Audra was exposed to negative influences right outside her
door. When she joined Girls Quest at the age of 11, she developed her
self-confidence and overcame the challenges and obstacles she faced.
With her newfound confidence, she auditioned and was accepted into
the prestigious LaGuardia High School in New York City, which is
well-known for its performing arts programs. Audra became a Teen
Leader at Girls Quest and participated in various year-round activities,
including community service projects and leadership development
workshops. She also worked at their summer program and taught
young girls swimming, dance and drama.
Growing up, Audra was exposed to negative influences right outside her
door. When she joined Girls Quest at the age of 11, she developed her
self-confidence and overcame the challenges and obstacles she faced.
With her newfound confidence, she auditioned and was accepted into
the prestigious LaGuardia High School in New York City, which is
well-known for its performing arts programs. Audra became a Teen
Leader at Girls Quest and participated in various year-round activities,
including community service projects and leadership development
workshops. She also worked at their summer program and taught
young girls swimming, dance and drama.
Carolyn - 13 - Wynnewood, PA
With two friends, Carolyn started a scouting troop for 3 and 4-year-old
girls in their community in 2006. They have about 12 little girls who
meet twice a month to plant, paint, construct, cook, sing, sew, exercise,
pick up litter, and practice karate. Carolyn and her friends plan the
meetings, send the reminders, collect the dues, and inspire little girls to
use their strength and creativity. They have been recognized in the
local newspaper, and a teacher has encouraged them to go after the
"silver" award offered by the girl scouts for community service.
Carolyn is active in 7th grade student government and plays on several
sports teams.
With two friends, Carolyn started a scouting troop for 3 and 4-year-old
girls in their community in 2006. They have about 12 little girls who
meet twice a month to plant, paint, construct, cook, sing, sew, exercise,
pick up litter, and practice karate. Carolyn and her friends plan the
meetings, send the reminders, collect the dues, and inspire little girls to
use their strength and creativity. They have been recognized in the
local newspaper, and a teacher has encouraged them to go after the
"silver" award offered by the girl scouts for community service.
Carolyn is active in 7th grade student government and plays on several
sports teams.
Dahlia - 15 - Chicago, IL
Dahlia is one well-rounded young lady! A computer whiz, she is often
called upon by her teachers to help fix computer problems and glitches
at school. She is also involved in special education - she volunteers once
a week to help children with disabilities. Dahlia also participates in a
local volunteer camp.
Dahlia feels strongly that it's not what is on the outside that counts, it is
what is on the inside. She's dedicated to spreading the word about the
importance of self-respect and loving people for what they can offer to
the world, not for their looks.
Dahlia is one well-rounded young lady! A computer whiz, she is often
called upon by her teachers to help fix computer problems and glitches
at school. She is also involved in special education - she volunteers once
a week to help children with disabilities. Dahlia also participates in a
local volunteer camp.
Dahlia feels strongly that it's not what is on the outside that counts, it is
what is on the inside. She's dedicated to spreading the word about the
importance of self-respect and loving people for what they can offer to
the world, not for their looks.
Gretchen - 18 - Nelson, NH
Gretchen plays varsity volleyball, and loves math and science. She is
the Secretary of student council at her school, Vice President of senior
class council, and a member of the Rotarian Interact Club and National
Honor Society. On top of all this, she works part-time at the local
supermarket.
She received the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's medal for acadmeic
achievement in schience, engineering, and technology. Hannah will
attend Brigham Young University, and plans to major in mathematics.
Gretchen plays varsity volleyball, and loves math and science. She is
the Secretary of student council at her school, Vice President of senior
class council, and a member of the Rotarian Interact Club and National
Honor Society. On top of all this, she works part-time at the local
supermarket.
She received the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's medal for acadmeic
achievement in schience, engineering, and technology. Hannah will
attend Brigham Young University, and plans to major in mathematics.
Hannah - 18 - Albany, NY
Hannah has traveled the world over to help people in need. She traveled
to Africa and helped to aid and care for the people she met there,
providing food, water, shelter, and basic medical needs.
She will also be traveling to India this summer to also lend a hand there.
Hannah has traveled the world over to help people in need. She traveled
to Africa and helped to aid and care for the people she met there,
providing food, water, shelter, and basic medical needs.
She will also be traveling to India this summer to also lend a hand there.
Colleen - 18 - Bow, NH
Colleen Colpitts is no stranger to overcoming the obstacles that life
throws at her, but instead of just overcoming them she is dancing
right through them. Colleen has suffered from Attention Deficit
Hyper-Activity Disorder [ADHD] most of her life, yet instead of being
weighed down by it she has grown into a strong leader and young
woman. She worked with students who suffered from physical and
learning handicaps to help them reach a new level of success. She was
also involved with Girls Inc., where she taught dance to girls who had
never had the chance to learn about it before. Colleen wants to work as
a nurse and help students who suffer from learning disabilities.
Colleen Colpitts is no stranger to overcoming the obstacles that life
throws at her, but instead of just overcoming them she is dancing
right through them. Colleen has suffered from Attention Deficit
Hyper-Activity Disorder [ADHD] most of her life, yet instead of being
weighed down by it she has grown into a strong leader and young
woman. She worked with students who suffered from physical and
learning handicaps to help them reach a new level of success. She was
also involved with Girls Inc., where she taught dance to girls who had
never had the chance to learn about it before. Colleen wants to work as
a nurse and help students who suffer from learning disabilities.
Crystal - 16 - Cupertino, CA
Crystal is active in the Bay Section Future Business Leaders of America
Officer Team, Monta Vista Interact Officer Team, and Monta Vista
High School School Site Council. With the Monta Vista Officer Team,
she helped plan a multicultural benefit dinner and show to raise $7,000
to refurbish a daycare center in Panama, build a school in Ghana
and treat TB in Tibet. She has participated extensively with the Right to
Learn campaign to protest public education budget cuts and am the
Monta Vista campus leader. Crystal has also attended the Northern
California Youth Leadership Seminar.
Crystal is active in the Bay Section Future Business Leaders of America
Officer Team, Monta Vista Interact Officer Team, and Monta Vista
High School School Site Council. With the Monta Vista Officer Team,
she helped plan a multicultural benefit dinner and show to raise $7,000
to refurbish a daycare center in Panama, build a school in Ghana
and treat TB in Tibet. She has participated extensively with the Right to
Learn campaign to protest public education budget cuts and am the
Monta Vista campus leader. Crystal has also attended the Northern
California Youth Leadership Seminar.
Image - 18 - Solon, OH
Image has a lot of responsibility for beig so young. Her friends
describer her as a beautiful person who deserves all the happiness in the
world. Her life is about taking care of others - she takes care of her baby
sister who is just over one year old, and will attend college in the fall to
be a nurse.
Image wants to continue helping others in need, and knows that nursing
is just the place where she can do it!
Image has a lot of responsibility for beig so young. Her friends
describer her as a beautiful person who deserves all the happiness in the
world. Her life is about taking care of others - she takes care of her baby
sister who is just over one year old, and will attend college in the fall to
be a nurse.
Image wants to continue helping others in need, and knows that nursing
is just the place where she can do it!
Julia - 16 - South Orange, NJ
Julia has volunteered her time quite a bit to help others. In November
2007, she flew to New Orleans to work on Habitat for Humanity
projects. She has also participated in Habitat for Humanity in Newark,
NJ, and also helps out at a local food pantry. Julia saves money to
donate to charity and has walked in an event called Kilometers for
Karen to raise money for leukemia. She participates in the school's
literary magazine, takes all advanced courses, and swims and plays
tennis. In addition to her public school experience, Julia has been a
student at the Solomon Schechter School, acquiring a great deal of
knowledge and feeling for the Jewish people, other minority groups
and the State of Israel in all of its current complexity.
Julia has volunteered her time quite a bit to help others. In November
2007, she flew to New Orleans to work on Habitat for Humanity
projects. She has also participated in Habitat for Humanity in Newark,
NJ, and also helps out at a local food pantry. Julia saves money to
donate to charity and has walked in an event called Kilometers for
Karen to raise money for leukemia. She participates in the school's
literary magazine, takes all advanced courses, and swims and plays
tennis. In addition to her public school experience, Julia has been a
student at the Solomon Schechter School, acquiring a great deal of
knowledge and feeling for the Jewish people, other minority groups
and the State of Israel in all of its current complexity.
Kayla - 15 - Rome, OH
Kayla is one talented young lady! Always the "crafty type," she started
up her own business about a year go. She sews handcrafted items and
sells them on her own website. She has made close to 900 sales so far!
Kayla is one talented young lady! Always the "crafty type," she started
up her own business about a year go. She sews handcrafted items and
sells them on her own website. She has made close to 900 sales so far!
Leanna - 12 - Long Island, NY
Leanna Archer has been a role model for a lot of kids, she is
a CEO of a major company at the age of 12. She makes hair and body
products from scratch, she puts them in jars and bottles, she sells them
online and she has some stores selling them.
She is also a motivational speaker , she is using her success to motivate
other kids to do positive things with their lives. She does not charge any
organizations to speak to kids. Leanna's story was featured in the March
08 issue of EBONY Magazine, she has been on local television and on
the ABC special "Above and Beyond" that was aired on June 14.
Leanna Archer has been a role model for a lot of kids, she is
a CEO of a major company at the age of 12. She makes hair and body
products from scratch, she puts them in jars and bottles, she sells them
online and she has some stores selling them.
She is also a motivational speaker , she is using her success to motivate
other kids to do positive things with their lives. She does not charge any
organizations to speak to kids. Leanna's story was featured in the March
08 issue of EBONY Magazine, she has been on local television and on
the ABC special "Above and Beyond" that was aired on June 14.
Lillie - 17 - Hopkinton, NH
Lillie is an accomplished musician and is part of several bands in and out
of school. She is in the process of recording several CDs, and her bands
have won competitions playing the songs that Lillie has written. She
sings and plays the guitar, piano, and drums.
Lillie has won several academic awards and is also a natural athlete. She
also started a Gay/Straight Alliance in her school and got a lot of
support from the faculty and students. Over spring break, Lillie joined
some of her classmates for a trip to Honduras, where they spent the
week helping to rebuild and repaint local schools.
Lillie is an accomplished musician and is part of several bands in and out
of school. She is in the process of recording several CDs, and her bands
have won competitions playing the songs that Lillie has written. She
sings and plays the guitar, piano, and drums.
Lillie has won several academic awards and is also a natural athlete. She
also started a Gay/Straight Alliance in her school and got a lot of
support from the faculty and students. Over spring break, Lillie joined
some of her classmates for a trip to Honduras, where they spent the
week helping to rebuild and repaint local schools.
Megan - 16 - Gilford, NH
Megan is 4 years out from being diagnosed with a rare cancer and is
doing great. She has passionately been a dancer for over 12 years and
has danced through 5 operations with her feet never missing a beat. She
teaches young children dance and has volunteered over 300 hours in
the past year balancing her time between St Vincent De Paul's Food
Pantry, Make a Wish and Friends of Rachel. Somehow she manages to
have the time to keep her grades up and is on the honor roll. Megan is
the one who always has a upbeat attitude. As Miss NH Outstanding
Teen, she is working with Make a Wish and her platform is "Beating the
Odds with a Positive Attitude". She goes to hospitals and talks with
other kids about positive attitudes.
Megan is 4 years out from being diagnosed with a rare cancer and is
doing great. She has passionately been a dancer for over 12 years and
has danced through 5 operations with her feet never missing a beat. She
teaches young children dance and has volunteered over 300 hours in
the past year balancing her time between St Vincent De Paul's Food
Pantry, Make a Wish and Friends of Rachel. Somehow she manages to
have the time to keep her grades up and is on the honor roll. Megan is
the one who always has a upbeat attitude. As Miss NH Outstanding
Teen, she is working with Make a Wish and her platform is "Beating the
Odds with a Positive Attitude". She goes to hospitals and talks with
other kids about positive attitudes.
Meggie - 18 - Oro Valley, AZ
For many that surround her, Meggie is the light. Her aunt describes
her as the one who is "always shining," but Meggie shines for more than
her family. Meggie is a statewide recognized swimmer, having traveled
to the state championships multiple times during her years in high
school. But this is not the only place Meggie has excelled. She's an AP
student who stays on the honor roll while still holding a position as a
class officer. Even Meggie's future plans involve helping other people.
She will be going to University of California, Berkeley in the fall of
2008. Here she hopes to study psychology. She hopes to one day
dedicate her time to making sure good ideas become policies as a
lobbyist.
For many that surround her, Meggie is the light. Her aunt describes
her as the one who is "always shining," but Meggie shines for more than
her family. Meggie is a statewide recognized swimmer, having traveled
to the state championships multiple times during her years in high
school. But this is not the only place Meggie has excelled. She's an AP
student who stays on the honor roll while still holding a position as a
class officer. Even Meggie's future plans involve helping other people.
She will be going to University of California, Berkeley in the fall of
2008. Here she hopes to study psychology. She hopes to one day
dedicate her time to making sure good ideas become policies as a
lobbyist.
Meredith - 16 - Menands, NY
Along with being a dedicated straight A student and three
season athete, Mere still finds time to help others. Since she was 11,
she has been knitting baby hats to be sent to disadvantaged mothers.
She actively participates in the club Knitting for Needs at Holy Names,
where she encourages other students to pick up the art of knitting and
caring. Her compassion and energy is also spread to others when she
volunteers for the REACH program every summer. She spends a week
repairing houses and lending a helping hand to those who are in need of
a lot love and a little bit of manual labor. Her enthusiasm and dedication
is infectious, and she is responsible for persuading many others to join
her causes.
Along with being a dedicated straight A student and three
season athete, Mere still finds time to help others. Since she was 11,
she has been knitting baby hats to be sent to disadvantaged mothers.
She actively participates in the club Knitting for Needs at Holy Names,
where she encourages other students to pick up the art of knitting and
caring. Her compassion and energy is also spread to others when she
volunteers for the REACH program every summer. She spends a week
repairing houses and lending a helping hand to those who are in need of
a lot love and a little bit of manual labor. Her enthusiasm and dedication
is infectious, and she is responsible for persuading many others to join
her causes.
Nafeesah - 18 - Claremont, CA
Following the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005, Nafeeahtraveled with her
dad to help out in the camps that had been set up by the Red Cross.
There she taught children and helped them through the hardest
days of their lives. When she got home she got involved in sending the
kids supplies and packages. She is also on the "Teen Committee" in
Claremont. This is a group of teens that works with the school board
and the city council to deal with the issues teens and students have in
Claremont. She serves as the co-chair of this committee. Nafeesah has
worked with the genocide prevention club at our high school and raised
awareness about the genocide in Sudan. She also has a very unique
personality that stands out amongst the crowd.
Following the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005, Nafeeahtraveled with her
dad to help out in the camps that had been set up by the Red Cross.
There she taught children and helped them through the hardest
days of their lives. When she got home she got involved in sending the
kids supplies and packages. She is also on the "Teen Committee" in
Claremont. This is a group of teens that works with the school board
and the city council to deal with the issues teens and students have in
Claremont. She serves as the co-chair of this committee. Nafeesah has
worked with the genocide prevention club at our high school and raised
awareness about the genocide in Sudan. She also has a very unique
personality that stands out amongst the crowd.
Samantha - 18 - Brooklyn, NY
When Samantha joined the Teen Leadership Program at Girls Quest at
age 14, her goal was to impact the girls in a good way. She wanted to
show the girls enrolled in the program that they don’t have to follow a
path of bad choices, but instead empower the younger girls to make
better, more informed choices instead. As a Teen Leader, Samantha has
been especially involved with the Literacy Program, providing
assistance to the literacy teachers and also guiding the younger girls in
the writing process. Outside of Girls Quest, Samantha is active in her
school choir. As a LaGuardia studente is involved in the vocal studies
program at the high school and has had the opportunity to perform at
Brooklyn College and other venues across New York City. Samantha is
also a member of the National Honor Society and was recently
inducted into America’s Who’s Who in America’s High Schools.
When Samantha joined the Teen Leadership Program at Girls Quest at
age 14, her goal was to impact the girls in a good way. She wanted to
show the girls enrolled in the program that they don’t have to follow a
path of bad choices, but instead empower the younger girls to make
better, more informed choices instead. As a Teen Leader, Samantha has
been especially involved with the Literacy Program, providing
assistance to the literacy teachers and also guiding the younger girls in
the writing process. Outside of Girls Quest, Samantha is active in her
school choir. As a LaGuardia studente is involved in the vocal studies
program at the high school and has had the opportunity to perform at
Brooklyn College and other venues across New York City. Samantha is
also a member of the National Honor Society and was recently
inducted into America’s Who’s Who in America’s High Schools.
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