By October of that year, with help from her mother, she founded the Cody Unser First Step Foundation, a non profit corporation dedicated to raising funds for TM research and treatments, and also promoting public awareness. Cody became ambassador for the world's only TM center at Johns Hopkins University and helped organize a national consortium to establish TM centers of excellence across the country.

At age 14, "YM" magazine labeled Cody a "Medical Crusader" and listed her as one of its "21 Coolest Girls in America." As an eighth grader at the Bosque School, Cody was honored by Prudential as one of America's Top 10 Youth Volunteers for 2001.

The first time Charlotte sang publicly was at age 3. She and her sister belted out the theme from Ghostbusters to a delighted crowd while vacationing with their family in Wales.

At age 8, she telephoned a TV show to let them know she could sing and wanted to enter its talented kids contest. The voice on the other end of the line said, "Prove it!" Charlotte did and landed a spot on the show.

That led to a meeting with Sony Music executives. Stepping into their London office, Charlotte was flattered to see a glossy photo of herself hanging prominently alongside portraits of Bruce Springteen and Celine Dion. She was offered a five-album deal with a six-figure advance, but Charlotte set her own terms. "I said I very much want to visit Disneyland, non-negotiable!" Sony agreed and the contract was signed.

At age 12, Charlotte recorded her debut album, Voice of an Angel. It was released in 1998, just after she turned 13. It reached double-platinum status in the United Kingdom, earning her a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest artist ever to reach #1 on the UK classical charts. She also became the youngest artist ever to debut in the top 30 of the US Pop charts.

Her repertoire now includes Broadway musicals, opera, chamber music, Gaelic airs, and contemporary songs. Within 4 years, she recorded three other albums: Charlotte Church (1999); Christmas Offering, Dream a Dream 2000, that features a duet with 12-year-old Billy Gilman and a cover portrait painted by 17-year-old Amanda Dunbar; and Enchantment 2001. She was one of the Billboard's Top Ten best selling female vocalists worldwide for 2000.

She's song at: sold-out concerts, Prince of Wales' 50th birthday celebration at the Lyceum Theatre in London, Pope John Paul II's Christmas concert at the Vatican, Queen Elizabeth's opening of the Welsh Assembly, and for President and Mrs. Clinton at the Ford Theatre in Washington, D.C. She's made guest appearances on TV talk shows and has written her autobiography, Voice of an Angel: My Life So Far.

When Michael first approached administrators at a local group home for the handicapped, he thought he might plan some teen-buddy activities for a small group of residents. "Then I discovered that approximately 85% of the residents have little, if any, family contact. I decided to include all ten residential group homes in my area, and to ask my 4-H club for help."

Michael publicized his program, recruited volunteers, and raised funds for activities. Within a few months, 84 volunteers extended the gifts of friendship and a helping hand to 61 handicapped young people. Throughout the year, Michael organizes birthday and holiday parties, bowling and miniature golf outings, and trips to community activities. "Two residents burst into tears when we talked about the program, because no one had ever been that kind to them before." He adds, "I will never forget how scared and nervous some of the youth were before meeting their new friends, and the smiles and comments afterwards when they discovered that handicapped teens were people just like them."

Michael's program recently became the Share A Friend 4-H Foundation in memory of his brother, Kyle, who died in February 2001. Michael is now working with state government officials to expand his program to group homes across Illinois. As an eighth grader at L. J. Stevens Middle School, Michael was honored by Prudential as one of America's Top Ten Youth Volunteers for 2001.

Chandler invented a device that can hold the backpack but also enables the user to swing the backpack around in order to retrieve items from within. He sketched out his idea and developed a working prototype made of steel tube, elbow fittings, springs, nuts and bolts.

Chandler entered his invention in the Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Competition and won first place in his region. He proceded to win the national competition.

Chandler has a patent application pending with the US Patent and Trademark Office that was filed on his behalf with the help of By Kids For Kids Company who recognized his invention as unique and valuable. They are also working to find a manufacturer to produce the device.

Chandler has been inducted into the National Gallery for the Young Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio and has been honored with the Da Vinci Award for designing for accessibility. Prior to this device, Chandler invented numerous tools such as one to assist roofers with their work. Chandler explains, "I really just want to help people and better mankind."