Clay Hurdle, 17

Lake Park, GA

Combining his two passions for the Spanish language and reading, Clay created a bilingual reading program (B.A.S.E.) for elementary school children at local libraries and schools in his community. Every week he dedicates some of his time to helping Hispanic students in his neighborhood learn English. He also volunteers at the local Second Harvest Food Bank and is an active member and leader at his local 4-H Club. In the fall of 2011, Clay initiated an annual service project called Postcards and Peanuts for Patriots in memoriam of the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 and to benefit US military personnel stationed overseas.

D'Andrielle Chee, 14

Gallup, NM

D'Andrielle is an avid volunteer in her community and her school.  She volunteers with the Navajo Waste Management Program to manage litter control and promote beautification in her community. She also helps out with bake sales and volunteers at basketball games.  D'Andrielle often brings together other Navajo teenagers to help her community with the little things so big changes can be made.

Jake Bernstein, 18

St. Louis, MO

Jacob is a seasoned volunteer who, after participating in a number of community food drives and car washes, started his own volunteer network called St. Louis Volunteen. The creation of this website has lead to the creation and organization of the St. Louis Youth and Family Volunteer Fair, which is now in its second year. He is also a board member of World Food Day, a national day to raise awareness and plan service projects to combat hunger.

Lance Oppenheim, 15

Southwest Ranches, FL

Lance is actively involved in both volunteer and leadership roles. He is the President of the Opp-Guide to Community Service, a youth led nonprofit organization where students write about their volunteer experiences and post them online. The Opp Guide is also now available as an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch application, which can be downloaded here. He also participates in his local Teen Court program where he hears the cases of youth offenders and recommends appropriate consequences to the judge.

Liu Zhen Huang, 18

New York City, NY

Liu Zhen first began her volunteer work with Asian American for Equality, a nonprofit that works to help new immigrants from China. Most recently, Liu worked independently with students in her community including Asian Americans from her own school to educate them about staying in school. She also worked to inspire a sense of school community by organizing a clean-up at a neighborhood park.

Malaika Worsham, 16

Ann Arbor, MI

Malaika is a seasoned volunteer activist. She has given her time at many different organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels and Washtenaw Teens for Tomorrow, a nonprofit focused on engaging youth in the community. Malaika is also a member of a national youth group, the Junior State of America and an active participant in her school's government. She is also the leader of her high school cheerleading team.

Milton Dimas, 14

Novato, CA

Milton is an educational advocate and tutor. He has a special interest in working with new immigrants and helping their children acquire the best education possible to ensure a brighter future. He has tutored students at a nonprofit organization called Canal Alliance, taken care of children at the Old Galinas Child Care Center and helped at Bright Horizons, a toddler center.

Mohit Jain, 17

Omaha, NE

Mohit is a high school senior who is leading his community and state to a healthier tomorrow. He is a member of the National Youth Council for the American Red Cross, where he is on the Leadership team and leads its social marketing initiatives, and a member of the Live Well Omaha Kids Advisory Council which focuses on encouraging youth in Omaha to be active. He recently developed a website to faciliate volunteerism in the Omaha community. In addition, he is the Health Executive for the Governor of Nebraska's Youth Advisory Council and also works at an Alzheimer's rehabilitation center.

Rachel Ley, 15

Stevens Point, WI

Rachel is a freshman and founder of a service-learning project, Literacy for Little Ones, through which she delivers book packages to newborns at two Central Wisconsin hospitals.  She is an avid violin player, and through her work with Suzuki Violin, she has raised money so that children in Bolivia could purchase violins.  Rachel enjoys playing her violin for nursing home residents, local charities, and organizations.  As the president of her school’s student council, Rachel enjoys planning service opportunities that benefit her school and community.

Rachel Shuster, 15

Dix Hills, NY

Rachel is the leader of her local Kids Care Club, which she started in sixth grade and has since been actively involved in many community service projects organized by the club.  She has participated, and in most instances, organized many extraordinary projects throughout her community, including cleaning up her town’s Historical Burial Ground twice, visiting a local geriatric center where they made bookmarks and played bingo with the residents and cooking healthy snacks at our local Ronald McDonald House.  The biggest project so far has been a teen fashion show to raise money for Sunrise Day Camp, a day camp for children with cancer and their siblings.  Rachel has also started a community service club in a local elementary school to engage young children in service. She has recently been an Ally Katz Award recipient and received a Disney Friends for Change grant to continue doing service in her community.