Kayee Au from Cary, N.C., is an art-loving senior at William G. Enloe High School. Au is the founder of her school’s Design and Arts club, a charity organization that donates student arts and crafts to charitable causes. Au has illustrated two children’s books, is organizing and overseeing the completion of her school’s first mural, and has helped raise more than $1,500 for the Mariam Clinic through the Design and Arts Club. One of Au’s paintings also placed in the top 10 for a Sister Cities International contest. With pride and confidence in Au’s work, the town of Cary asked her to present the painting to Mary Jean Eisenhower. In the future, Au aspires to earn a job in animation.
Emilio Camu from Salt Lake City, Utah, is an involved senior at Cottonwood High School. Camu has donated his time to several clubs and organizations, in addition to holding officer positions in several of them. “I have a passion for everything I do! I won’t do or complete anything halfheartedly,” says Camu. One particular organization in which Camu is involved is Teen Advocates Against Tobacco (TAAT). Camu’s work with TAAT has enabled him to stick up for what he believes. “I learned to fight for my beliefs in a calm, rational way—in a way not many people do anymore,” says Camu. He plans to attend Stanford University.
“I am passionate about making an impact on my local and global communities,” says Drake Corbin of Hoschton, Ga. Corbin, a freshman at Jackson County Comprehensive High School, founded and now chairs “Y Not Me ‘4’ A Change,” a youth organization that empowers young people to help out within their communities. “We conduct several drives each year: Socks ‘4’ Seniors, Jeans ‘4’ Teens, Kare Kitz ‘4’ Kidz, and Books ‘4’ Babies,” Corbin says. “This year, we are going global by teaming up with AfricAid to collect school supplies for girls’ schools in Tanzania.” Corbin enjoys watching his peers take action. “It has been absolutely amazing watching their collection efforts,” he says.
“I wanted to establish a court of the Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas in my local parish,” says Ariana Frontario, a senior at St. Anthony’s High School from Northport, N.Y. After reviewing the charter, bylaws, learning the steps to establish a court in her parish, and educating her community on its significance, Frontario was able to establish Court Ave Maria #832 in June. “I am also proud to say that I am the president of this organization,” says Frontario. In school, Frontario also makes time for National Honor Society, cross country and jazz band.
“I felt very passionate about helping this charity and raising awareness for it, and knew I could do much more with the support of my peers than on my own,” says Rose Gunson about her involvement with the charity Operation Smile. Gunson, a senior at Sammamish High School from Bellevue, Wash., was passionate about the organization and determined to start the club at her own school. Gunson is also enthusiastic about filmmaking. She won a national filmmaking contest and will be working with a team of other teen filmmakers this summer to help make Usher’s newest music video in Los Angeles.
