The Kids Hall of Fame Inductees
16-Year-Old Extraordinary Achievers
ACTIVIST: ANIMAL RIGHTS
Shaine Kilyun builds customized, handcrafted wheelchairs for disabled pets because she’s on a mission to prove they should and can live happy lives rather than be euthanized. As the founder and owner of Wheelies Pet Wheelchairs, a non-profit that she launched on Instagram, Shaine charges only for the materials, not her labor. Through her wheelchairs, she has given the gift of mobility to disabled cats, dogs, a hedgehog and also a duck. Shaine, who learned her skill through research and watching YouTube tutorials, explains, “I’ve saved a few lives, and I really hope to save more.”
(Champlin, Minnesota: 2021)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
ACTIVIST: ANIMAL RIGHTS
Bella Lack started a petition to ban wild animal acts in United Kingdom circuses. She collected 200,000 signatures. The Wild Animals in Circuses bill became law within a year.
(United Kingdom: 2018)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
ACTIVIST: ANIMAL RIGHTS
Zoe Rosenberg, as stated on her website, “discovered that a major university in California had a working slaughterhouse on campus and that students in certain animal related majors were required to take a class that involved slaughtering animals. Outraged she has organized many protests, drawing attention to this practice to the students, faculty, and media…”
(San Luis Obispo, California: 2018)
Illustrated by Zoleil Oladeji
Visit Zoe’s website.
ACTIVIST: ANIMAL RIGHTS
Lou Wegner
(Columbus, Ohio: 2016)
ACTIVIST: CLIMATE
Sarah Goody is co-founder and leader of Climate NOW.
(California: 2021)
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, an indigenous hip-hop artist, is the youth director of the Earth Guardians, a tribe of young activists seeking to change the world now for the sake of the future generations who will inherit the planet.
(Boulder, Colorado: 2016)
ACTIVIST: CLIMATE
Isra Hirsi explains, “The climate movement needs more people like me.” Isra, along with two 13-year-olds, Haven Coleman and Alexandria Villaseñor, became co-founder and co-executive director of the first ever US Youth Climate Strike. It took place in March 2019 and is part of the youth-led international Fridays for Future movement, inspired by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
(Minneapolis, Minnesota: 2019)
ACTIVIST: CLIMATE
Greta Thunberg environmental, climate activist.
(Sweden: 2019)
ACTIVIST: EDUCATION
Malala Yousafzai (you-sahf-ZIGH), on her 16th birthday, spoke at the United Nations Youth Assembly. This was just nine months after a Pakistani Taliban gunman tried to silence her from speaking out about the right of girls to be educated. Her speech was so powerful that the UN soon declared the day, her birthday, as “Malala Day” in her honor. Six of the many major points of her speech included:
(Mingora, Swat, Pakistan: 2013)
Illustrated by Elgin Bolling
Learn more…
Visit Malala’s website.
ACTOR / ACTRESS
Melissa Sue Anderson became an Emmy nominee for her work as Mary Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie.
(Berkeley, California: 1978)
Claire Danes became an Emmy nominee for her portrayal of the angst-filled teenager Angela Chase in My So-Called Life.
(New York City, New York: 1995)
Patty Duke won an Oscar, at the 35th Academy Awards, for her performance as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker.
(Elmhurst, New York: 1963)
ACTOR / ACTRESS
Judy Garland played the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
(Lancaster, California: 1938)
Malcolm Jamal-Warner was an Emmy nominee for best supporting actor for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show.
(Jersey City, New Jersey: 1986)
ACTOR / ACTRESS
Storm Reid played the role of Sydney Lanier in the film The Invisible Man.
(Los Angeles, California: 2020)
ACTOR / ACTRESS
Dylan and Cole Sprouse (twins) began playing the role of Zack & Cody in The Suite Life on Deck, an American TV sitcom series, aired on the Disney Channel from the year 2008 until 2011. The program was a sequel (spin-off) to the original series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, which aired from 2005 to 2008.
(Long Beach, California: 2008)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
ACTOR / ACTRESS
Jack Wild became a best supporting actor Oscar nominee for his performance in the musical drama Oliver! at the 41st Academy Awards.
(Hounslow, England: 1969)
ADVOCATE: UNICEF
YOUTH ADVOCATES FOR UNICEF
Saara Chaudry (Canada: 2020)
Ruairí Holohan (Ireland: 2021)
Godlisten Boniphace Irunde (Tanzania, East Africa: 2021)
Catherine Mantswe (Botswana, Africa: 2022)
Rohan Menon (New York City, New York: 2021)
Gitanjali Rao (Lone Tree, Colorado: 2022)
Siddhartha Satish (West Windsor, New Jersey: 2021)
Sonam Wangchen (Bhutan, South Asia: 2018)
AMBASSADOR: HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
YOUTH AMBASSADORS FOR
THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
“Ace” Auker (Lutz, Florida: 2020)
Lucy/Luke Chacko (Arlington, Texas: 2022)
Jazz Jennings (2017)
Brendan Jordan (Seattle, Washington: 2021)
Ve’ondre Mitchell (Seattle, Washington: 2021)
Ash Silott (Wyoming: 2022)
AMBASSADOR: TAAF
YOUTH AMBASSADORS FOR
THE ANEURYSM AND AVM FOUNDATION
Erica Carnegie (Florida: 2019)
ARTIST: PAINTER
Amanda Dunbar held a solo art exhibit in Dallas, Texas. Of her 68 paintings of display, most sold on the first night. Sales totaled over $500,000.
(Allen, Texas: 1998)
Illustrated by Daniel Pacificador
ATHLETE: BASEBALL PLAYER
Armando Cruz signed with the Washington Nationals Baseball Team for $3.9 million. He is a shortstop.
(Dominican Republic: 2021)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
ATHLETE: ENGLISH FOOTBALLER
Bamidele J. Alli, also known as Dele Alli, became a professional English footballer (soccer player as the sport is called in the United States). He made his professional debut for the Milton Keynes.
(Buckinghamshire, England: 2012)
ATHLETE: GOLFER
Tiger Woods played his first professional tournament, the Nissan Los Angeles Open. He won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and was the only golfer to win twice unit 2011.
(Cypress, California: 1992)
Visit Tiger’s website.
ATHLETE: GOLFER
ATHLETE: GOLFER
ATHLETE: GYMNAST
Laurie Hernandez, artistic gymnast, became an Olympic gold medalist at the Olympics in Rio.
(Old Bridge, New Jersey: 2016)
ATHLETE: GYMNAST
Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva, rhythm gymnast
(Australia)
Illustrated by Ivy Guo
ATHLETE: GYMNAST
Mary Lou Retton became an Olympic gold medalist, and she did so after suffering a knee injury just six weeks prior to the Olympics.
Later, Mary Lou became the first woman to appear on the iconic Wheaties box.
(Los Angles, California: 1984)
Illustrated by Daniel Pacificador
ATHLETE: HOCKEY PLAYER
Taya Curie became the first female player ever to be chosen in the Ontario Hockey League priority selection draft. She had finished her four-year career playing for the Chiefs AAA boys’ under 16 team.
(Parkhill, Ontario, Canada: 2021)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
ATHLETE: MOUNTAIN CLIMBER
Ngim Chhamji Sherpa climbed to the south side summit of Mount Everest, by climbing from the Nepali side. She was honored in the Guinness World Records 2015 as the youngest woman to do so. Ngim climbed with her father, Dendi Sherpa. They were the first father and daughter to climb Everest together.
(Tibet: 2019)
ATHLETE: MOUNTAIN CLIMBER
Temba Tshern set the world record as the youngest person to climb to the summit of Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world. He made his climb from the north side (Tibet), with the International Everest Expedition.
Temba lost five fingers (three on right, and two on left) to frostbite while attempting to climb from the south side (Nepal) in 2000. That motivated him further, rather than give up.
(Nepal: 2001)
ATHLETE: OARSMAN
Eoin Hartwright rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in under 44 days, accompanied by Eimon Hartwright (his uncle), Matthew Collier, and Tom Alden. They started from the Canary Islands, Spain and rowed east to west across the Atlantic to Antigua.
Eoin was honored in Guinness World Records 2015 as the youngest person to row across any ocean non-solo.
(United Kingdom: 2013)
Illustrated by Catherine Sun
ATHLETE: RUNNER
Elizabeth “Betty” Robinson became the first female Olympic track and field gold medalist, by winning the 100 meter race at the Amsterdam Olympics. It was the first time women runners were allowed to compete in the Olympics. It was only Betty’s fourth competitive race. She crossed the finish line at 12.2 seconds, surpassing the anticipated winner, Canadian Fanny Rosenfeld, who finished in 12.3 seconds.
Long before the race, Betty’s running skill was discovered by Charles Price when he saw her running to catch a train after school. The next day, Charles, who was a science teacher and boys’ track coach from Betty’s high school, asked her to run in the school hallway. Although he had never coached a girl before (since in 1928, girls weren’t supposed to run) he ask Betty to join the boy’s high school track team. As the expression goes, “The rest is history.”
(Illinois: 1928)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
ATHLETE: SAILOR
Laura Dekker sailed solo around the world.
(Holland: 2010)
Illustrated by Rob Maystead
ATHLETE: SKIER
Lewis Clark skied from Hercules Inlet to the geographic South Pole, a distance of 698.18 miles (1,123.61 km). He traveled with his guide, 30-year-old Carl Alvey. The two were unsupported but did received three resupplies by air. Lewis is listed in Guinness World Record 2015 as the “Youngest person to trek to the South Pole”.
(United Kingdom: 2014)
ATHLETE: SPRINTER
Wilma Rudolph won the bronze medal (3rd place) in the women’s 400-meter relay at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. She was the youngest of that 4-woman United States track and field team.
(Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee: 1956)
Illustrated by Ray Russotto
Learn more…
ATHLETE: SWIMMER
Carmen Lim, born without a left arm, was named the Best Female Athlete at the 2016 Malaysian Para Games in Sarawak. She explains, “Personally, I don’t find swimming with one arm to be much of a challenge because I have never known what it feels like to swim with two arms. The challenge is keeping up with my teammates. They all have two arms and legs…”
Carmen began swimming at age five because her parents didn’t know how to swim and wanted her to be safe in and around water. Carmen says that she always says a prayer before she dives into to pool. “It makes me feel better when I say a little prayer.”
(Malaysia: 2016)
ATHLETE: TENNIS PLAYER
Naomi Osaka became a professional tennis player.
(Beverly Hills, California: 2013)
ATHLETE: TENNIS PLAYER
Emma Raducanu became a professional tennis player.
(London, England: 2018)
ATHLETE: WRESTLER
Trevon “Trey” Jenifer participated in wrestling at Huntingtown High School in Maryland. He did not allow the fact that he was born without legs, prevent him from wrestling.
(Huntington, Maryland: 2004)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
Visit Trevon’s website.
AUTHOR: BOOK IN PROGRESS
Susan Eloise Hinton finished writing her first novel, The Outsiders, at 16 years old. She loved reading, but was frustrated that teenagers in novels never acted like the real teenagers she knew, so she decided to write her own story. She based her characters on the gangs at her school, and gave her teenage characters emotional depth and intelligence. She faced obstacles on the way, even failing her creative writing class. But this did not stop her, and she continued writing her story after school. She completed her book and published it two years later. At first, the novel was not doing very well, and her first royalty check was for only $10. But its success quickly skyrocketed. Teenagers loved her book, and she developed a huge fanbase. The Outsiders went on to sell millions of copies, become a movie, and be taught in classrooms.
(Tulsa, Oklahoma: 1965)
Written & Illustrated by Danielle Alexander
AUTHOR: PUBLISHED BOOK
Justin Bieber, singer and songwriter, published his first book, Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story. It explains his journey from small-town schoolboy to international superstar. This 240-page book was published by HarperCollins.
(Ontario, Canada: 2010)
AUTHOR: PUBLISHED BOOK
Haley Taylor Schlitz and her mother, Dr. Myiesha Taylor, co-authored The Homeschool Alternative: Incorporating a Homeschool Mindset for the Benefit of Black Children in America. This 214 page book shares their experience as a home-schooling family. It also provides resources to Black families on how they can incorporate a “homeschool mindset” in their educational journey.
(Texas: 2019)
Visit Haley’s website.
Learn about Haley as:
– a college graduate: age 19
– a high school graduate: age 13
AUTHOR: PUBLISHED BOOK
Bushra Nida authored The Day, the first poetry book on the elements of the periodic table.
(Kulgam, Kashmir, India: 2020)
AUTHOR: PUBLISHED BOOK
Vishikha Tripathi authored and published Kali: The Blooming Flower, a 6 chapter book of 112 pages.
(Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: 2022)
AUTHOR: PUBLISHED BOOK
AUTHOR: PUBLISHED BOOK
Malala Yousafzai had her memoir published: I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up For Education and Was Shot By The Taliban. She co-authored it with Christina Lamb. It quickly became and international best seller.
(Mingora, Swat, Pakistan: 2013)
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Visit Malala’s website.
AWARD WINNER
Alex P. Plasky explains, “When I was 16 years old, I had a spinal cord injury from a horse accident. It was physically tough but mentally I was strong and determined! I had no movement below my neck and I was no longer able to participate in activities that I once could. Before my accident, I used to wrestle and there was one award called the Chain Gang Boss. This was for the best player on the team. Even though I couldn’t physically play, I cheered on my teammates and gave advice where I could. To my surprise, they awarded the Chain Gang Boss to me. It was quite an honor!”
Alex adds: “Your circumstances don’t define your success or happiness, what you do, despite your circumstances, does!”
CHEF
Greg Grossman
(New York City, New York: 2011)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
CHESS CHAMPION
Bobby Fischer became the U.S. Open Champion.
(Brooklyn, New York: 1959)
Kateryna Lagno
(Russia: 2006)
CHESS CHAMPION
Hou Yifan became the youngest world chess champion, surpassing a record held since 1978. (Xinghua, China: 2010)
COACH
Haile Thomas became the youngest graduate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, becoming a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.
COLLEGE GRADUATE
Charles Homer Haskins graduated from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Meadville, Pennsylvania: 1886)
COLLEGE GRADUATE
Akshay Venkatesh graduated from the University of Western Australia (UWA) with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was the youngest student ever to earn a First Class Honor in Pure Mathematics from the school.
(Perth, Western Australia: 1998)
Learn about Akshay as:
– a college freshman: age 13
– a college Ph.D. student: age 16 (see next column)
COLLEGE PH.D. STUDENT
Akshay Venkatesh started his Ph.D. program at Princeton University in the USA and completed it at age 20, in 2002. He went on to become a math professor at Stanford University.
(Princeton, New Jersey: 1998)
Learn about Akshay as:
– a college freshman: age 13
– a college graduate: age 16 (see previous column)
COMMISSIONER: YOUTH
Daxton Gutekunst was appointed as a City of San Diego Youth Commissioner for his district. One of the reasons he was recommended for this official position was based upon his work as founder of Kid by Kid.
(San Diego, California: 2021)
Learn more…
Learn about Daxton as:
– a founder: age 13
DANCER
Laurie Hernandez, an Olympic gold medal artistic gymnast, became the youngest contestant to win Dancing with the Stars, in the American television series (23rd season). Her dancing partner was Val Chmerkovskiy, a professional dancer. Winners are determined by the show’s judges and public voting.
(Old Bridge, New Jersey: 2016)
DANCER: BALLERINA
Vitoria Bueno started to gain international fame as a ballerina after she regularly posted videos of herself dancing. She soon gained over 150,000 followers. Vitoria did not permit the fact that she was born without arms, stop her from dancing. She explained, “For me, arms, they’re just a detail. I follow with my eyes, as if they were there.” She performed on the German show, Das SuperTalent and came in second place.
Vitoria explained that being on the show was a life-changing experience for her, because it helped her to believe in her ability to dance, despite her physical limitations.
(Brazil: 2020 & 2021)
Written & Illustrated by Lisa Subryan
Learn about Vitoria as:
– a dancer: age 5, age 18
DESIGNER: CLOTHING
Marsai Martin established her own clothing line. She explains, “Acting is great, but you know what I’m really obsessed with? Design.”
(Plano, Texas: 2020)
Illustrated by Alexandra Holliday
DONOR: HAIR
Hailey Coates, for the sixth time, donated her hair to Wigs for Kids, a non-profit organization that makes free wigs for kids who lose their hair due to medical reasons. Hailey began donating her hair every two years, beginning at age 6. She continued through age 16, at which time totally over 5 feet of hair in her lifetime.
(New Providence, New Jersey: 2018)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
DONOR: HAIR
ENTREPRENEUR
Farrhad Acidwalla, who created his first website at age 13, realized, “If I can develop websites for myself, why can’t I do it for others?” So, he used $400, from the $1,200 he earned from selling his first website, to create his second. “Taking initiative is the most important step, so long as it is backed by hard work and dedication.”
Farrhad created and launched Rockstash Media, an agency focused on web-development, marketing, advertising, branding, etc.
(Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: 2010)
Illustrated by Jake Reher
Visit Farrhad’s website.
Learn about Farrhad as:
– a website creator: age 13
FOUNDER
Kennedy Ekezie founded Calabar Youths Council for Women’s Rights.
(Nigeria, Africa: 2014)
Learn about Kennedy as:
– a college graduate: age 19
FOUNDER
Steven Ferreiro founded Helping Others and Giving Hope. It is a nonprofit organization that works with churches, businesses, government agencies and charities to provide resources and food security to community members.
(Miami, Florida: 2019)
Illustrated by Michael White
Learn more…
Vishal Gondal founded Indiagames, a game development and publishing company. Within a few years, he sold it to DisneyUTV Digital, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company India.
(Mumbai, India: 1999)
FOUNDER
Brad Jerson founded Students Putting an End to Cancer (SPEC). It became an official club, as a branch of the Bethpage High School Student Civic Association.
(Plainview, New York: 1999)
Learn more…
FOUNDER
Jui Khankari founded AInspire, an educational non-profit organization as a free resource to empower students of all ages and backgrounds to learn about artificial intelligence. Jui achieved this through the virtual workshops, videos, and educational curriculum she created. Jui explained, “I just really want to get more women inspired and empowered to enter the field so we can make our voices and our needs heard.”
(Hinsdale, Illinois: 2020)
Learn about Jui as:
– an educator: age 19
FOUNDER
Alex Kline founded the Mary Kline Classic, a charity high school basketball all-star event that raises money for cancer research (with proceeds going to the National Brain Tumor Society). This annual event is in honor of his mother, Mary Kline, who died after her 5 year battle with a brain tumor, when Alex was 10 years old.
(Pennington, New Jersey: 2010)
Learn about Alex as:
– a founder: age 15
FOUNDER
Malala Yousafzai and Ziauddin Yousafzai (her father), co-founded Malala Fund, “to champion every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education.”
(Mingora, Swat, Paskistan: 2013)
To learn more about the fund, visit:
www.Malala.org
GAMER
Yuta Iyama became the youngest player in Japanese history to win the Go rookie championship. Go is an ancient Chinese strategy board game.
(Japan: 2016)
GOOD SAMARITAN
Rhami Zeini, high school junior, while driving home from school, saw a purse lying in the middle of the road. He opened it and found $10,000 inside. Since the purse did not contain the owner’s identification information, Rhami and his parents took it to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
(Santa Barbara, California: 2018)
Illustrated by Aron Laikin
Learn more…
GUIDE
Sacagawea served as the guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition.
(United States: 1804)
Illustrated by Rob Maystead
INVENTOR
Shirah Benarde invented NightCap, a flexible drink cover to help prevent the spiking of someone’s drink. Shirah created its first prototype by cutting up a pair of pantyhose. She designed her invention so that it can be stored in a fashionable scrunchie and worn in a person’s hair or on a wrist.
(West Palm Beach, Florida: 2019)
Photo: Courtesy of NightCap
Visit Shirah’s website.
Learn about Shirah as:
– an entrepreneur: age 17
– a speaker: age 18
Sarah Buckel invented magnetic locker wallpaper as an easy way to decorate school lockers.
(DuBois, Pennsylvania: 2008)
INVENTOR
George Nissen invented the trampoline, which he originally called a bouncing rig. The idea came to him in 1930, while watching trapeze artists at a traveling circus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As they ended their routines by letting go of the swinging bars and bouncing into a safety net, George thought their act would be more fun and exciting if they could continue bouncing and doing more stunts.
Using his parents’ garage as a workshop, George strapped a canvas sheet onto a rectangular steel frame. In 1934, he worked with Larry Griswold, his gymnastics coach at the University of Iowa, to put more bounce into his invention.
(Iowa: 1930)
Illustrated by Elgin Bolling
LIFESAVER / RESCUER
Lisa Smith has always held a special place in her heart for young children, so when she had the opportunity to learn about life-saving techniques and safety issues regarding children, it was no surprise that she jumped at the opportunity. But little did she know that one day she would actually have to use those skills to save the life of a little one.
(Fort Myers, Florida: 1999)
Learn more…
MUSICIAN
Buddy Holly (born Charles Hardin Holley) was a musician: singer, songwriter, guitarist, and a rock and roll pioneer. He made his first appearance on local television.
(Lubbock, Texas: 1952)
MUSICIAN
Alyssa Raghu, singer and songwriter, recorded “Almost is Never Enough” and “Dear Self”.
(Orlando, Florida: 2018)
Visit Alyssa’s website.
MUSICIAN
Alyssa Raghu performed on the television show American Idol.
(Orlando, Florida: 2019)
Illustrated by Lisa Subryan
Visit Alyssa’s website.
MUSICIAN
Ritchie Valens (born Richard Stephen Valenzuela) was a self-taught musician: singer, songwriter, guitarist and a rock and roll pioneer. His first hit song was “Come On, Let’s Go” followed the same year by “Donna” (written for his ex-girlfriend) and “La Bamba”.
Ritchie started singing and playing musical instruments at age 5.
(San Fernando, California: 1958)
Visit Ritchie’s website.
PATRIOTIC HERO & HEROINE
Sybil Ludington yelled, “The British are burning Danbury! Muster at Ludington’s at daybreak!” During Sybil’s 40-mile midnight ride she was determined to awaken, alert, and assemble her father’s militia (part-time soldiers). At daybreak, 400 troops assembled to ward off the planned attack by the British.
(Unadilla, New York: 1777)
Illustrated by Daniel Pacificador
Learn more…
PODCASTER
Sarah Ghassali and Maya Ghassali, twins, co-founded Refugees on Air (ROA), a podcast dedicated to giving Australian refugees from all parts of Australia, a voice by sharing their stories and casting a light on their inspirational journeys. Every fortnight (14 days) episodes are updated and new stories are shared.
At the age of 10, during the Syria civil war in 2012, the twins and their family migrated from their home in Aleppo, Syria to Melbourne, Australia, with nothing but suitcases filled with clothes. On their podcast, Sarah and Maya discuss the life they had in Syria, how they moved to Australia, and compare both cultures.
(Melbourne, Australia: 2018)
Illustrated by Emilia Guerrero Hayllar
POLITICIAN: CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
Jack Bergeson, a high school junior and a Democrat, ran for governor of Kansas. In Kansas, a person needs to be 18 to vote, but there is no minimum age for gubernatorial candidates. Only two states in the US lack an age requirement for state governor, Kansas and Vermont.
(Wichita, Kansas: 2018)
POLITICIAN: CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
Joseph Tutera Jr., a high school sophomore class president, and a Republican, ran for governor of Kansas. In Kansas, a person needs to be 18 to vote, but there is no minimum age for gubernatorial candidates. Only two states in the US lack an age requirement for state governor, Kansas and Vermont.
(Mission Hills, Kansas: 2018)
POLYGLOT
A polyglot is a person who speaks, writes, reads or understands more than one language.
Timothy Doner speaks 23 different languages. He had been teaching himself languages since he was 13.
(Manhattan, New York: 2012)
POLYGLOT
PRODUCER
Oliver Bogner sold his first show to the E! network. Although it never was aired, it gave him insight into the TV business.
(Beverly Hills, California: 2010)
PROGRAM DEVELOPER
Marcus Houston developed an educational program called “Just Say Know.” It teaches middle level students what it takes to achieve academic, social, and athletic success in high school. While a star student and football player at Thomas Jefferson High School, Marcus was troubled by the number of freshmen in his school district who were ineligible for sports due to poor grades and conduct problems. He looked back on his achievements and thought about how he had become successful.
(Denver, Colorado: 1998)
Photo & Story: Courtesy of Prudential Spirit of Community Awards 2000
Learn more…
SOCIAL MEDIA STAR / INTERNET CELEBRITY
Mariam Assad (Mariamstar) achieved a following of 2.6 million on TikTok and 400 thousand on Instagram. Her videos feature her lip-syncing, performing comedy kits, dancing, and singing. She includes advertisements from several clothing manufacturers and performs in commercial ads.
(Sydney, Australia: 2022)
SOCIAL MEDIA STAR / INTERNET CELEBRITY
Charli D’Amelio became the first person to achieve 100 million followers on TikTok.
(Norwalk, Connecticut: 2020)
Ryder James (Ryderjamesss) achieved a following of 2 million on TikTok. He specializes in lip syncs and his optimistic Points of Views (POVs).
(San Clemente, California: 2022)
SOCIAL MEDIA STAR / INTERNET CELEBRITY
Gabriella Lewitton achieved a following of 4.1 million on TikTok and 100 thousand on Instagram. She is mainly known for her dance videos.
(Cape Town, South Africa: 2022)
Diego Martir (an actor in the Brat series Attaway General) achieved a following of 4.4 million on TikTok and 1.1 million on Instagram.
(Lakewood, New Jersey: 2020)
SPEAKER
Jitendra Singam delivered his TEDx talk entitled “You define your identify.”
(2018)
TEACHER
Shania Shakura Muhammad became the youngest full-time salaried teacher in the USA. She also has three degrees.
(Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 2023)
Illustrated by Soleil Oladeji
VENTRILOQUIST
Isabella Jane, a singing ventriloquist, with her puppet Rosie, auditioned for South Africa’s Got Talent. She sang “Let It Go” from the Disney animated film Frozen. Isabella took second place.
(Sotu, Africa: 2015)
Illustrated by Ivy Guo
WEBSITE DESIGNER / CREATOR
Juliette Brindak, with help from her mom, developed and published www.MissOandFriends.com, a safe, social platform website specifically created for girls ages 8 to 12. It’s based on the “cool girl” characters that Juliette created when she was 10 years old, which are of her little sister, Olivia (Miss O), and Olivia’s friends. It’s a safe site for girls to hang out, discuss their issues, receive help from their peers, get their articles published, and participate in quizzes and contests. In 2011, Inc. Magazine ranked it as the third largest girl-only website.
(Connecticut: 2005)
Visit Juliette’s website.
Learn about Juliette as:
– an artist: age 10