Learnin G and Leadin G by exa MPL e

Open House Jan 31, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Group Tours Preschool–Grade 4: Jan 21, 8:30 a.m.

Grades 5–6: Jan 21, 9:30 a.m.

Grades 7–12: Jan 14, 8:30 a.m.

Preschool–12. Family. Community. mountvernonschool.org

404.252.3448

Bailey Lyles, 19

University of Georgia

In the eighth grade, Bailey learned about Wellspring Living in Atlanta and the organization’s work with survivors of child sexual abuse and sex tra cking. Four years later, when Bailey was in the Program for Global Citizenship at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School she launched a Global capstone project called “Moving with Angels,” designed to help heal these victims’ minds, bodies and souls. Bailey is now renovating an abandoned building in Downtown Atlanta to provide activities such as dance and yoga therapy for Wellspring Living’s clients. Since beginning her project, Bailey has raised signi cant funds and awareness, spoken to groups and individual donors to raise awareness about this problem, and helped design and renovate the space that will soon house activities for a special group of women and girls. “One of my most memorable moments of giving back to the community would be when I created a dance/exercise studio for the women and girls on site at Wellspring Living,” Bailey said. “ ese girls have been victims of sexual abuse and sex tra cking and the dance/exercise studio gives them a place to have an outlet for self expression as well as improve their physical health.”

Vanessa Rodriguez-Badillo, 17

Carver School of the Arts

Vanessa already has her future mapped out: she plans to become a physician specializing in oncology. The medical field inspired her to volunteer at Family Health Enterprise, using her bilingual skills to interpret, communicate, and help serve pediatricians during procedures.

Vanessa is currently the President of Carver School of the Arts and will be valedictorian of the class of 2015. As class president, she began holding meetings with the student population and inquiring about their needs and desires for academic success. Using that data, Vanessa developed a free ACT prep program. “I felt a sense of satisfaction and victory when the program began to exhibit success,” Vanessa says. “This experience has enabled me to develop a deeper understanding of the importance to give back to others.”

Gibby Heiser 10

Morningside Elementary School

Gibby is the founder of The Pencil Orphanage, which “rescues” pencils destined for the trash, sorts and packages them, then distributes them to children in need. Founded last March at Morningside Elementary, Gibby started collecting pencils off the floor of the school with the help of other students, custodians and staff. More than 2,700 pencils have been collected, packaged and sent to locations as far afield as Kenya, South Africa, India and Malawi as well as to schools in Georgia. The Pencil Orphanage has grown to include a board of 13 girls from seven elementary and middle schools who have spent over 90 combined volunteer hours packaging pencils since last March. The board is working to place Pencil Orphanages in elementary schools across Atlanta. “I remember when I had my first Pencil Orphanage board meeting,” Gibby recalls. “It was wonderful seeing my determined friends work so hard as they packaged pencils. They really are what made my vision possible. It feels good to know that we’re making a difference.”

Caroline Carr Grant, 16

e Lovett School

Caroline Carr has served 100 hours over the last three years at the Agape Youth & Family Center. As part of a volunteer summer internship with Agape, she was given the task of creating a six-week summer reading program for 30 rising rst and second grade children. She was asked to develop curriculum, collect books, organize volunteers, and facilitate the reading program during the summer. She organized a book drive and collected 700 books for Agape to use for the summer reading program and to be added to the Agape library for years to come. “When we started the program, I realized that many of these children were struggling to recite the alphabet, recognize letters, and read basic words, yet they were enthusiastic and happy to try,” Caroline Carr remembers. “I was inspired to create a reading program that would continue throughout the school year, so these hardworking kids could continue to develop their reading skills as well as build their self-con dence as readers and as students.”

Anna Kampfe, 18

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School

Not every student can say they raised $20,000 in one year for a charitable project, but Anna can. She was a key factor in helping Holy Innocents’ become the top fundraising school in America for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Fall Walk for six straight years. A Type 1 diabetic herself, Anna says, “I volunteer and fundraise because I believe that a single dollar could lead to curing millions of children who cannot eat without having to be their own doctors.” She says she was overwhelmed by the generosity of her fellow students this past year. “It let me know that I am not alone, and that people understand that a cure can happen.” Anna is also an artist and recently had one of her pieces selected for exhibition at the High Museum of Art.

Quanterya Y. Hoard, 17 West End Academy

As president of the Future Business Leaders of America Organization (FBLA) for 2014-2015, Quanterya has made a significant impact through her leadership and commitment in planning and recruitment of members to the organization. She implemented her first community service learning project for the FBLA, “Get Covered America,” which was in conjunction with the Morehouse School of Medicine Health Fair. Her efforts provided the opportunity for health fair attendees to be educated in making choices for the Affordable Care Act. “These memorable experiences have contributed to my growth, not only as a student, but as an individual whose responsibilities lies within the community,” Quanterya says.

Shayann Hendricks, 16

Atlanta International School

Which Test: SAT or ACT?

As founder of Applerouth Tutoring, I often help parents navigate the complicated world of college admissions testing. Parents know the ACT is an alternative to the SAT, but they often do not know how to help their student choose between the two tests. Recently announced changes to the tests have contributed to the uncertainty.

Students tend to feel more comfortable with one test format over the other. Over the past thirteen years, I’ve seen time and time again how that extra comfort can translate into a significantly higher score to send to colleges. It’s important to make as informed a decision as possible about your student’s test preparation.

Making an Informed Decision

Students become familiar with the SAT format when they take the PSAT in 10th grade, but not all students take the ACT equivalents, the PLAN/ ASPIRE. Parents often ask me how they can use just a PSAT score to make this important decision.

PreschlAd_InTownEdGd_Dec2014KG_HI1.pdf

Shayann is a leader of Atlanta International School Against Human Trafficking. She was trained as a student ambassador with YouthSpark, the nonprofit that works to end child sex trafficking, and leads sessions to train others on the issues. Shayann also organized trips to the state capitol last year, lobbying for bills to pass to help trafficking victims. This past summer, she traveled to Colombia to volunteer with Colombianitos, an organization that keeps kids off the streets and in after-school tutoring and playing soccer, in a town outside of Bogota. Shayann also volunteers for Street Grace, which provides bags of food to kids who are at risk for trafficking. She has vivid memories of her first meeting with YouthSpark: “I was amazed by the level to which people were willing to commit their involvement once they understood the issue, and became aware of the problem.”

The easiest way to make this decision is to have your student take a mock ACT so that they can compare their PSAT/SAT score equivalents to the ACT scores in order to make the best choice. If it’s been a year or more since they last took the SAT, they may additionally want to sit for a mock SAT test. Compare your student’s percentile rankings on the two tests, and then put your energy into the test your student more naturally excels at.

There is zero risk and a lot of benefit to using meaningful data to make the right decision early on because when students find out early which test is a better fit, they can avoid a lot of unnecessary stress and frustration down the road!

Age-appropriate programs for infants through Pre-K:

• Dramatic Arts • Computer Play • Music

At the MJCCA’s NAEYC-accredited preschools, our loving, highly-trained, and experienced teachers guide your child through our exceptional program.

• Judaics

For Ages 6 weeks - Pre-K preschool@atlantajcc.org

• Preschool Garden

• Ready, Set, Go...to Kindergarten

• Handwriting Without Tears

Find Out More

You can speak with me and learn more about these tests, including the “new” SAT, at one of our upcoming FREE EVERYTHING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS SEMINARS:

January 31st

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wyndham Powers Ferry

THE WEINSTEIN SCHOOL 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody • 678.812.3834

Atlanta, GA 30339

February 7th

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Second Ponce Baptist Church

Atlanta, GA 30305

January 31st

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Roam Cafe

Alpharetta, GA 30005

February 21st

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Roam Dunwoody

Atlanta, GA 30338

To view more information about locations or to preregister, go to applerouth.com/calendar or call 404-728-0661.

Connor Cassidy, 18 Ben Franklin Academy

Connor attends school in the morning and then heads to a lab at Georgia Tech in the afternoons for an internship at the Global Center for Medical Innovations (GCMI). There he works with researchers designing medical devices that will enable surgeons to perform operations on babies and older patients in areas of the body that surgeons haven’t been able to reach before. Connor has helped the engineers design and manufacture these devices using 3-D printers. He also teaches sailing and water safety to younger children at Lake Lanier one day a week and on weekends. Connor is also a member of Georgia Trailriders, an organization of Jeep owners with a mission to help others in need. During last year’s snow and ice storms, he helped pull out dozens of trapped vehicles, offered rides home and helped people jumpstart their cars. “I will always remember how great it felt to aid others in a time of need,” Connor says.

Allison Hunter, 10 Gideons Elementary

Allison’s family owns a restaurant, so that has already given her a leg up in learning about business and marketing. While most students Allison’s age are consumed with social media, Allison was thinking of ways to that technology could help prepare students for the new Georgia Milestones test. Allison encouraged administrators and teachers to allow students more time on educational technology devices, including keyboarding, and use of educational apps to help prepare for the new test. She is also applying for grants to help the school obtain books, pencils, notebooks and other school supplies for students who can’t afford them. Allison has also been helping to raise money to keep the Bethlehem Senior Center open, since her grandmother goes there regularly, including making jewelry. “Our senior citizens deserve our attention and you would be surprised at how doing little things mean so much to them,” Allison says. “Just taking a little time to listen to them can make a big difference in their day.”

Rachel Hamilton, 18

Ben Franklin Academy

Rachel has been actively volunteering in the community for years, including Girl Talk, MZ Stageworks, Marcus Jewish Community Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Warren T. Jackson Primary School. Girl Talk, a nonprofit where high school girls mentor middle school girls to help build self-esteem, communication skills, and recognize the value of community service, has been part of Rachel’s life for more than four years. She has served on their National Teen Advisory Board for 9th-12th grades and has been a volunteer counselor for their summer camps and many of their community outreach programs. She channeled her passion for musical theater into

Amoriah Shaw, 18

Druid Hills High School

Amoriah began giving back at the age of 5 when she donated her hair to Locks of Love for her friend diagnosed with leukemia. She has gone on to found Druid Hills High School chapter of MDJunior, a medical mentorship and service outreach program. She also went on a medical mission trip to Honduras with MDJunior leaders from around the country. Amoriah also served as a production assistant for Spectrum, an organization that provides support, education and resources to children and adults with autism. “I met so many families with incredible stories of their struggle to maintain a healthy life and was inspired by the amount of determination they possessed,” Amoriah says of her trip to Honduras with MDJunior. “I learned so many valuable life lessons through this process, ones that I hope to carry with me throughout my life.” creating the “Mommy & Me Princess Tea” fundraiser for Girl Talk. Rachel arranged the entire show from casting and musical arrangement to soliciting donations and arranging sponsorships. The first event raised more than $10,000 and she’s actively planning a second one. While the fundraiser was memorable, the cast visit to Egleston Children’s Hospitals to perform and meet the sick kids was a standout moment. “Being able to bring magic and joy to these kids who were struggling with so much made all of the effort and energy we had put into that day even more rewarding,” she says.

Salome Araya, 17

Grady High School

Salome have been actively involved in 21st Century Leaders, a nonprofit organization that advocates volunteerism and helps students create their own leadership projects. She has volunteered with children through the Atlanta Arts Festival; is heavily involved in Atlanta MedShare, and is the community service chair for Skills USA. Salome recalls her first time volunteering as a freshman: “Christmas break had just begun and the church was serving homeless women and children breakfast as my sister and I were working with children in the arts section. I was fortunate enough to experience how close the community was brought together. It was a room filled with such positive energy and allowed me to understand the good volunteerism could bring in my community.”

Amadou Bah, 18

B.E.S.T. Academy High School

Amadou is a Project Engage Research Scholar at Georgia Tech, where he has conducted research on tissue regeneration and vascular remodeling for cardiovascular disease therapies. He has also contributed to increase voting in low socioeconomic communities, where people were initially uncomfortable or unaware of voting or its importance. He has volunteered at Grady Hospital for different shifts of medicine from Ob/GYN, internal medicine, orthopedics, and the emergency room. He has participated in feeding the homeless through the Hosea Williams Feed the Homeless Program. On service trips to Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala, he has offered tutoring, motivational speaking and helping to clean up villages. Amadou is currently helping develop a curriculum to help minority students perform better on the ACT standardized test.

Parker Whitlow, 18

North Atlanta High School

If you’re a theatergoer, you might have seen Parker on stage at Fabrefaction in shows like Legally Blonde and Hairspray. In addition to acting, she has dedicated the past three years to the theatre program she created at Sutton Middle School where she had been a student. The program was a sophomore year requirement, but it changed the students’ lives so immensely that she knew she had to continue. This program gives middle school students opportunities that they would not have otherwise, and has also allowed high school students to learn from leadership positions. She has spent over 700 hours on these shows over the last three years, and the program will continue even as she moves on to college. “I knew how much the arts could impact students, so I made it my mission to go back and start a theatre program for Sutton students so they could have the opportunities that I couldn’t have,” Parker says. “I am proud to say that it has changed my life and I am now pursing studying directing in college next year.”

Alexis Wilkinson, 17

Holy Spirit Preparatory School

Alexis created her own handmade jewelry business to help sponsor underprivileged children at Camp Friendship, a social skills camp for children with special needs, where she volunteers in the summer. She is also the only student on the governing board of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where she mentors girls and assists the youth choir director. Alexis says one of her most memorable experiences was at Camp Friendship, when she mentored a young girl who had such extreme anxiety that she normally cannot speak. “One day, she and I were sitting at the art table and I asked her if she wanted to learn how to make a lanyard. She nodded, and so we began. As we worked, I started telling her about myself and asking her questions about herself. Soon, I learned she loved science, had a sister, and loved her puppy. In that hour, she talked more than I had witnessed that week. Getting to know her and seeing her come out of her shell was an incredible experience I will never forget.”

Pace Academy

During her freshman year, Morgan began volunteering with My Sister’s House, the Atlanta Mission’s women’s and children’s shelter. During her time there, Morgan noticed that the shelter was always in need of toiletries to satisfy the basic needs of its 250 residents. In November 2013, she organized a toiletry drive and created a webpage to raise additional funds. Through online, phone and face-to-face solicitations, Morgan raised more than $1,400. She also contacted a variety of national personal product manufacturers, local youth soccer clubs, dentists and orthodontists. As a result of the drive, Morgan donated more than 5,000 personal items to the shelter. But Morgan wasn’t done. She also noticed a need amongst the homeless children she encountered for shoes that fit. So, in March 2014, Morgan founded the Atlanta Shoe Bank. She created a website and process for shelters to request shoes for their children. She began the collection process by contacting local athletic shoes stores and now has more than $18,000 in inventory. She also volunteers with Second Helping, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes surplus food that would otherwise have been thrown away. Morgan recalls spending weeks trying to get her first donations for the Atlanta Shoe Bank: “I finally got in touch with Sports Authority, which gave me 100 free pairs of brand new Nikes. After receiving this generous donation, I gave these shoes to the boys and girls of the Covenant house, a local foster home in Atlanta.”

Imani Smith, 9

J.W. Dobbs Elementary School

Imani bonded with Dobbs Principal Charnita West over the death of their mothers from breast cancer. Her brother was also diagnosed with leukemia, but is now in remission. Imani had already raised money for the Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk in Centennial Park and said she wanted to do more for women with breast cancer. West asked Imani to be the student ambassador for the health committee for Relay for Life at the school. She is already working with fellow students to raise funds for the 2015 Relay for Life efforts. Imani also carries an American Cancer Society money collection can everywhere she goes. She also wants to help the homeless and has volunteered with her great-aunt to give out food. “If I had a lot of money I would give the homeless people a place to stay and food and help them fix their lives,” Imani says.

Please

Critical Minds • Compassionate Hearts • Committed Leaders join us for:

Open Houses

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Infants thru 8th grade

10:00 am - noon

5200 Northland Drive, Atlanta GA 30342

RSVP: bcook@atljewishacademy.org

9th thru 12th grade

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

3130 Raymond Drive, Atlanta GA 30340

RSVP: dburchfield@atljewishacademy.org

AJA’s Community Speakers Series: Rabbi Michael Berger, Ph.D.

“Critical Thinking in Judaism: A Look at Three Thinkers.”

Sunday, February 1, 2015 • 10:00 am

For more info: www.atljewishacademy.org or (404)843-9900

Kaija M. Pack Mays High School

Kaija has turned her birthday into an opportunity to give back to others by creating the “Feed the Need” project. She recruited over 25 volunteers and they headed to Downtown Atlanta and provided over 400 meals and gave away clothing to those in need. In lieu of receiving birthday gifts, Kaija requested that everyone bring food for the “Feed the Need” celebration. She and the volunteers set up a grill for hot food, a snack stand and drink station.

Kaija plans take “Feed the Need” to other communities in Georgia and other cities across the country, including Detroit and Washington D.C.

“This experience brought me one step closer to starting a nonprofit organization. The project we created made me realize, although I’m young, I have the power and capability to bring people together and change the world. My goal does not end with metro Atlanta, I plan to make a difference in all urban areas in America.”