Ronit Abramson

San Diego | 17

Ronit's dedication to environmentalism and science led her to be the San Diego Zoo’s 2008 Arctic Ambassador for the Year of the Polar Bear, enabling her to share with students all over the world the results of her studies in the Canadian Arctic.

Eric Heimark

Palo Alto | 18

Eric was motivated to help youth in the developing world based on their pressing needs, and to help privileged teens in other countries see themselves as actors empowered to support this effort.

Shelby Layne

Pacific Palisades | 17

Shelby created, gathered, and sold jewelry to raise funds to purchase solar ovens for refugees from the genocide in Darfur.

Fred Scarf

Sherman Oaks | 18

Deeply impacted by a friend’s death from cancer, Fred created a fundraising and programming effort to aid in cancer research funding and to address the social and emotional needs of teens living with cancer.

Sarah Van Zanten

Palo Alto | 19

Sarah became an advocate for prevention of teen relationship violence after her own personal experience with it, serving as an educator and a role model for young women in such situations.