Rough Draft presents our 17th annual 20 Under 20 honorees for 2026. As in past years, we are in awe of these students’ abilities to excel academically while giving back to the community in such meaningful ways. Once again, this year’s nominations were impressive, with over 100 entries received. From creating nonprofits and fundraising for cancer research and other worthy causes, this year’s honorees have gone above and beyond to bring positivity and leadership to the community. While narrowing down this year’s honorees and runners-up was the toughest ever, we think these students will inspire and motivate you to give back to your communities.
Jump to: Jaron Alexander, Julia Barton, Anselm Bell, Max Bell, Luna Castro, Isabelle Cheroff, Jinah Chung, Keren Clay, Grayson Cooke, Mariam Darb, Avery Frank, Emma Gabara, Will Gira, Finn Graber, Jagger Kaye, Yolanda King, Kate Krugman, Hannah Lang, Kenzie Leonard, Annie Lin, Audrey Lyons, Benji Martin, Tori McMillian, Oliver Membrillo, Julia Promoff, Carter Rumph, Jourdan Russell, Raya Singh
Avery Frank, 17
Mariam Darb, 16
Julia Barton, 17
Audrey Lyons, 17
Kate Krugman, 17
Midtown High School
As the founders and leadership team of Midtown High School’s chapter of March for Our Lives, these young women have launched efforts in both the school and district to increase awareness of gun violence and advocate for state policy. In 2024-25, they established the organization in the wake of the shooting at Apalachee High School. Collaborating with administration, they organized a school-wide walkout and led the demonstration in our stadium, delivering moving speeches that they wrote together. More than 1,700 students and teachers attended their demonstration and wore black in support of the movement. Later that year, they organized phonebanking efforts to ensure those impacted by Hurricane Helene could access voting areas and reached more than 2,000 voters. In February, the group launched a district-wide pledge for safe firearm storage – creating a flyer for a pledge, working with the district to send it to parents across Atlanta Public Schools, and tabling at school open houses. In March, they led a student press conference at the Georgia Capitol to advocate for the passage of legislation concerning safe gun storage.
Will Gira, 16
The Westminster Schools
At his five-year-old checkup, Gira’s pediatrician discovered a vision problem in his left eye that led to a diagnosis of amblyopia (“lazy eye”) – a condition that, if left untreated, can cause permanent vision loss. Fortunately, early intervention and prescription eyeglasses corrected his sight, leaving him with a lasting appreciation for the gift of vision and sparking a lifelong commitment to vision health. In ninth grade, Gira transformed that personal experience into purpose by founding Eyes 4 Everyone, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to eyeglasses and vision care. Since its inception, Gira has recruited and trained eight student chapter presidents representing eight schools or locations across the country, collected and donated more than 1,000 pairs of eyeglasses to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation – valued at more than $100,000 – and helped recycle more than 150 pounds of plastic and metal. “Ever since I got my first pair of eyeglasses at the age of five, I have known I wanted to help others see the way I see,” he said. “Giving back to others has helped me achieve this goal and shown me that each act, big or small, can change someone’s life forever.”
Kenzie Leonard, 16
The Paideia School
Leonard learned early how to navigate – and succeed – as a student with dyslexia. When she realized how difficult it was to find information about accommodations, testing, and accessible services on college campuses, she decided to help students with similar needs. Leonard developed a video series combining interviews with education accessibility experts and online tools to assess programs and navigate the transition to college. She pitched the idea to the International Dyslexia Association Georgia Teen Board and then spent this summer writing, producing, and hosting the IDA College Q&A Interview YouTube series. As an invited panelist at DyslexicaCon 2025, Leonard translated her personal experience into systemic recommendations to an engaged national audience. “I’m still learning, but I’ve seen how much it matters when students feel understood and supported,” she said. “If I can help create even a small sense of clarity or confidence for someone else, that feels meaningful to me.”
Julia Promoff, 17
North Atlanta High School
Promoff is a student leader whose programs and service have had a substantial impact across the greater Atlanta community and beyond. As a high school freshmen, she founded Future Warriors, mobilizing 70 high-school leaders to strengthen arts, academics, and athletics at North Atlanta High and Sutton Middle schools, impacting hundreds of students across Atlanta, and created 4 Green Futures, a fully student-run environmental education program operating across Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida that has planted hundreds of trees, removed invasive species, and engaged more than 6,000 students. She revitalized her school’s defunct environmental club to nearly 100 members and founded Windows Magazine and Wire TV, serving as the school’s youngest editor-in-chief. “Change is possible when we work together as a community towards something greater than ourselves,” she said. “If you want to make a difference, don’t let your age stop you – all you need is a problem and the passion to fix it.”
Jaron Alexander, 18
Riverwood International Charter High School
Alexander has been contributing to his community at a local level since he was young enough to understand the importance of giving back. He created a fundraising website for Experience Camps, a national no-cost program for grieving children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver, which is administered through Camp Manitou. Alexander began volunteering with Friendship Circle of Atlanta in 2023, a nonprofit built on the Torah adage “Love your fellow as yourself.” Alexander also participated in the 2024-2025 Youth Leadership Sandy Springs program and has been volunteering with Creating Connected Communities since 2022. “I am honored to receive this award, and I will stay dedicated to continuing to pursue my passion for serving my community. I strive to accomplish work that inspires others to think differently and dream bigger,” he said.
Hannah Lang, 18
Georgia State University
Through her 21st Century Leaders ambassadorship, Lang has engaged more than 20,000 high school students across Georgia, spearheading initiatives in leadership development, career exploration, and diversity and inclusion. Her Women in Technology ambassadorship has championed gender equity in STEM roles. As a United Nations Youth Delegate, she has collaborated with peers from more than 190 countries, representing the United States as one of four delegates. Lang aspires to advance clinical neurology and neuropsychology research while continuing her lifelong commitment to service through her own nonprofit, which will expand STEM access and mentorship opportunities for underserved youth. “Compromise for your dream, but never compromise on your dream,” she said.
Jagger Kaye, 17
The Weber School
Kaye helped guide Weber’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student Visionaries team to raise $125,000 for cancer research, earned its Impact Award, and was then invited to the program’s leadership committee. With goals of becoming a health professional, she is part of Columbia University’s BrainSTORM cohort, designing a platform to identify pre-clinical Alzheimer’s symptoms. She co-founded Weber’s first HOSA chapter, shadowed physicians at Piedmont’s Transplant Institute, and completed pre-med programs at Brown and Georgetown. She is also the creator and host of “Low-key, Let’s Disagree,” a Gen-Z podcast about engaging across differences. An honors student and varsity tennis competitor, Jagger pairs initiative with follow-through, turning ideas into outcomes.
Keren Clay, 17
Lakeside High School
Clay was diagnosed at the age of 10 with stage four rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer in her right foot. She faced 18 months of chemo, a below-the-knee amputation, and two full rounds of radiation. Following remission, in middle school, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer in her right shoulder blade, resulting from the side effects of her radiation treatment. After a 12-month battle, she again achieved remission, but then developed acute myeloid leukemia. In June, she underwent a bone marrow transplant and has again achieved remission, although because of her weakened immune system, she has remained in Hospital Homebound for her senior year. Throughout her seven-year battle, Clay raised close to $250,000 for pediatric cancer research, as well as speaking at a Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C. She has volunteered and raised funds for Rally Foundation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Swim Across America, and Camp Sunshine, totaling more than 3,000 hours. “I’ve faced three different cancers, but each one has strengthened my determination to help others,” she said. “I won’t stop fighting until kids get the treatments and futures they deserve.”
Annie Lin, 19
Georgia Tech
Lin leads a pioneering project to survey the microplastic pollution in Atlanta’s waterways. After securing a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, Lin trained 20 high school and college students to collect water samples at sites along the Chattahoochee River and analyze them in a chemistry lab. Her team established the first database of microplastics in Atlanta’s natural waters and hosted a forum to share their findings publicly. She founded the First Step team as a freshman at North Atlanta High School, driven by a clear vision: a future where people consider how to make the world a better place, taking small yet concrete steps. The team has now grown to more than 250 student members across 36 metro-Atlanta schools. Lin serves as one of the youngest board members at the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Board. “Youth should be at the center of community action because we will be the ones in charge as many social issues become more significant and relevant than ever,” she said.
Jourdan Russell, 19
Oglethorpe University
Russell received a grant from Oglethorpe to organize a meal-packing event in collaboration with Operation Feed, which distributes meal kits to schools and provides emergency aid. The event raised awareness about food insecurity and empowered undergraduates to make an impact. Russell is a member of the Inclusive Excellence Committee at Oglethorpe, which discusses issues affecting students. She chose to take action to address food insecurity because she knows it affects many people, including students. Student volunteers at the meal-packing event left feeling inspired, empowered, and had fun while serving the greater Atlanta community. Russell is also the fundraising chair for Mock Trial and a fellow with The King Center. “Service is something I hope to continue promoting because its impact is transformational,” Russell said. “Empowering my classmates to use their skills to be civically engaged brings me tremendous joy.”
Luna Castro, 14
North Springs High School
Castro is a first-generation Mexican American student and co-founder/project lead of the VAYU climate initiative, an eco-friendly terracotta cooling system designed to reduce extreme heat in vulnerable environments. Castro has led the project from its early concept through community partnerships, funding, outreach, and public presentation. The project is now funded by the Atlanta Youth Climate Fund. In addition to VAYU, she has earned selective STEM enrichment experiences, including Georgia Tech’s Architectural and Aerospace Programs, the Bill Harrison Foundation studios, and NCWIT BridgeUp STEM. Castro’s long-term goal is to become a mechanical engineer, creating innovative environmental solutions that address climate change. “Being part of the VAYU team has strengthened my passion for sustainable engineering, and I hope to continue contributing to projects that address climate challenges together with others,” she said.
Grayson Cooke, 17 and Finn Graber, 18
The Lovett School
The tennis doubles partners founded Serve First, an initiative to close the economic gap in the sport they’ve played most of their lives. Since their junior year at Lovett, the seniors have collected more than $22,000 in equipment to outfit fledgling tennis programs within Atlanta Public Schools. The co-captains felt compelled to do something after an opposing high school team showed up to the courts without basic equipment two hours late because their bus broke down. When they learned that Benjamin E. Mays High School was interested in building a tennis program, they held an equipment drive and fundraising campaign and teamed up with Dick’s Sporting Goods and nonprofits Most Valuable Kids of Greater Atlanta, Field of Dreams Academy, and The Agape Tennis Foundation to provide gear and lessons. The duo is focused on expanding their reach to a third APS school. “It has been a true joy to help as many people as possible gain access to the sport I’ve loved for so many years,” Finn said. Grayson agreed, adding, “Although the physical impact of this ongoing project may be visible in the lives of others, there has been an equally impactful interpersonal shift.”
Max and Anselm Bell, 17
The Westminster Schools
Twin brothers Max and Anselm Bell are leading a youth-driven movement to ensure that every child in Georgia with dyslexia has the right to read. Through the organization they founded, WriteToRead.org, they have become powerful advocates for literacy equity by raising awareness, influencing policy, and mobilizing students, parents, and teachers statewide. WriteToRead.org also hosted an Atlanta screening of “Left Behind,” the award-winning documentary on the nation’s first public literacy academy. The nonprofit has presented at DyslexiaCon25 and sponsored DyslexiaDash25, the IDA-GA’s fundraiser for literacy. Max also serves on the Alumni Board of The Schenck School and the Teen Board of the International Dyslexia Association of Georgia and interns at Dysolve, an AI-powered dyslexia remediation company. Anselm interns at Outlyer.Space, a startup developing a global spacecraft telemetry network selected for Stanford’s StartX accelerator. “As a dyslexic, I’ve learned to lean into and embrace challenges. Dyslexia means I learn differently, but that difference is my superpower because it pushes me to solve problems in new ways,” Max said. “Launching Write to Read is our version of a social impact startup—identifying a real problem, assembling a team, and making an impact that outlives a single project or class,” Anselm said.
Benji Martin, 16
Chamblee High School
Martin uses his skills as an amateur radio operator to serve the Atlanta community – and beyond. When Hurricane Helene hit in 2024, Martin manned his ham radio overnight, assisting with wellness checks and connecting people in need. For his service, he received a letter of commendation from the American Radio Relay League/The National Association for Amateur Radio. Martin is also a volunteer member of the Atlanta Amateur Radio Emergency Service chapter and helped revive the Atlanta ARES practice net, something he has run since he was licensed at age 14. For the last two years, he has deployed with Atlanta ARES for the Peachtree Road Race and the Publix Atlanta Marathon. “My passion to help others comes from having experienced difficult situations and from watching others as they have struggled. I have seen that I have skills that are needed to help and encourage others so that no one ever feels alone or without help,” he said.
Oliver Membrillo, 16
Mount Vernon School
Membrillo is the founder of CPR For The Earth Inc., a nonprofit that organizes monthly cleanups in polluted communities around Atlanta. Since its creation, Membrillo and his team of more than 25 volunteers have collected more than 700 pounds of litter. He also partnered with the Tourette Association of America to organize a community 5K to raise funds for Tourette Syndrome research—a cause personal to him as someone diagnosed with TS at age five. He also volunteers with the Tim Tebow Foundation’s “A Night to Shine,” serving as a buddy to guests with disabilities, and Dunwoody United Methodist Church’s Backpack Buddies. “Whether it’s through music, service, or advocacy, my goal has always been the same,” he said, “to use what I love to make a lasting difference in my community.”
Raya Singh, 16
North Atlanta High School
Along with her cousins, Singh co-founded a nonprofit called The Atl Seva Project, which invites peers and neighbors to participate in a monthly sandwich drive for Atlanta Mission’s My Sister’s House. In Punjabi, the language spoken by her father’s side of the family, “seva” means selfless service. Singh has a standing annual summer tradition of working alongside elementary school teachers to set up their classrooms for the upcoming school year. Being of Mexican and Indian/Punjabi heritage, she has a broad worldview and is informed by the traditions of all of these cultures. “Through my volunteering, I’ve made so many great connections and friendships that are so significant to me,” she said.
Isabelle Cheroff, 18
Tori McMillan, 18
Carter Rumph, 18
The Lovett School
The trio worked to raise funds for the Blood Cancer United organization. Their team, Team Curemakers, competed against 37 other Atlanta-based teams and received the title of Student Visionaries of the Year, which is given to the team that raises the most money and significantly impacts the lives of cancer patients and their families, as well as funding for further research. The team presented to numerous Fortune 500 companies, ultimately raising $283,138. Because of the amount of money the three raised, they were able to direct a portion of the funds to a detailed type of blood cancer, specifically Acute Myeloid Leukemia. They were invited to New York City in order to learn more about the active research being done by blood cancer researchers around the United States.
Emma Gabara, 17
Marist School
Raised in Biarritz, France, a coastal town known for its biodiversity, Gabara’s connection to conservation is personal. In Atlanta, she leads Marist’s Environmental Science Club, spearheads schoolwide recycling and composting efforts, and helped redesign the sophomore garden with native plants. She also volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation and regularly participates in local watershed cleanups. Gabara is pursuing advanced environmental and STEM studies through competitive programs at Harvard University, Duke University, Georgia Tech, the University of California, and more. Gabara’s leadership extends into robotics, where she serves as president of Georgia FIRST Robotics. A national competitor with Marist’s FTC and FRC teams, she also developed STEM curriculum for the Reach for Excellence program. “My work matters because I want to help build pathways for students who don’t yet see themselves in STEM. Creating access, supporting teams, and protecting the environment all connect back to the idea that everyone deserves a chance to make a difference,” she said.
Jinah Chung, 17
Wesleyan School
Chung noticed that many of her peers were uncertain about their interests, future majors, and potential career paths during a mission trip last year, when she met a younger student who said they wanted to become a doctor, not because they were passionate about medicine, but simply because it was the only career they knew. In response, Chung founded Dream Messengers, a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students explore diverse career paths, discover their interests, and reduce the stress of planning their futures. She has published in two independent research journals: “Prediction of Molecular Links Between Alzheimer’s and CSV Disease” and “Image-Only Parkinson’s Screening from Scanned Spirals and Meanders: Tree-Based Ensembles as a Deployable Baseline.” This past summer, Chung attended Korea University, where she conducted lab experiments on Alzheimer’s disease in rats. “Knowing the struggle that the students go through when deciding their path, I wish to be a source of help by guiding them toward their dreams,” she said.
Yolanda King, 17
Atlanta International School
King is the founder and editor-in-chief of AIS’ first literary magazine “Golden Feather” and has motivated students and faculty, as well as people across the U.S. and internationally, to engage in service to reach the goal of the Realize the Dream Foundation: 100 million hours of service by the 100th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. She chairs the Youth Council for the foundation, leading a coalition of 33 students who provide programming advice and create as well as lead service projects based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals within their communities. King is not just carrying the legacy of her grandfather, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but is clearly forging her own path. In 2024, she authored a children’s book inspiring the next generation to similarly find their own path. “To me, community service is about love in action,” she said. “Service has the power to change everything – our communities, our perspectives, and even our own hearts.”
20 Under 20 Runners Up
Devin May, 18
Ben Franklin Academy
May was recognized for his help in the community with the Dr. C. Michael York Service Award.
Ishaan Raj, 16
Riverwood International Charter School
Among his many endeavors, Raj has raised thousands of dollars for Solidarity Sandy Springs and collected nearly 3,000 articles of clothing for people in need.
Jalen Hagens Jr., 16
Mount Vernon School
A prolific artist, Hagens serves as a VOX ATL Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador and was featured in Jet magazine for his art installation on Black hairstyles.
Julia Castro, 14
Atlanta International School
Castro has been a volunteer at PAWS Atlanta for four years and features adoptable cats on her @cathousehunting IG account.
Lauren Reed, 19
Georgia Tech
Reed has written two books, including “Purpose Over Pressure,” which helps young scholars struggling with choosing a college major and career path.
Lia Heard, 17
The Westminster Schools
Heard knitted more than 200 beanies for MadHatter Knits, a nonprofit dedicated to supplying knit hats for premature babies, and guided fellow students in creating healthcare kits.
Peter Soulimiotis, 17
St. Pius X
Soulimiotis was awarded the Congressional Award Silver Medal for his hundreds of hours of volunteer work impacting 23 Atlanta non profits, including Habitat for Humanity.
Miley Lev, 17
The Weber School
At the Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Rehabilitation Center, Lev provides hands-on medical care to animals and is also a longtime volunteer at Zoo Atlanta.
Reid Alexander, 16
Riverwood International Charter School
At just eight years old, Alexander created Hannah’s Bake Sale to raise awareness and money for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, totalling more than $53,000.
Lakshmi “Santoshi” Puttagunta, 18
Woodward Academy
Puttagunta has devoted countless hours to health service organizations and serves as co-executive director of the My Mind Matters organization to promote awareness around mental health.
Shaan Sancheti, 16
Wesleyan School
Sancheti is the founder and president of the nonprofit Youth Advisory Council for REAL (realnonprofit.com), collecting tons of books and food for Africa.
Shreya Sehgal, 17
Chamblee High School
Sehgal developed an educational platform called Sideline Science to share knowledge about sports medicine, recovery, and mental health in athletics.
Sidon Afeworki, 17
Marist School
Afeworki co-founded Ahwatey United, a nonprofit dedicated to improving career readiness and community engagement for Eritrean youth in Georgia.
Tessa Stuart, 17
Pace Academy
Stuart’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes motivated her to found T1DTogether.com, which connects newly diagnosed individuals with peers who can offer guidance and support.
Zaynab Farid, 17
The Lovett School
Farid is the founder of the educational organization South Asian Alliance and The Give Back Coalition, a youth-led service organization.
Denzell Watkins, 18, and Margot Pritchard, 18
Greater Atlanta Christian School
Friends and classmates, Watkins, who is GACS’ head prefect, and Pritchard have devoted hundreds of hours to various charities and causes at school and in the community.
Chandler Kirkland, 17, and Pat Rosenzweig,16
The Paideia School & The Connections School of Atlanta
The duo has been involved in a peer-to-peer partnership between Paideia and Connections, where students connect around shared values of acceptance and inclusion of neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals.
JC Curry, 14
Acadame of the Oaks
A member of numerous organizations, including Amnesty International, Curry is devoted to Trinity Table in Downtown Atlanta, which serves a hot lunch to those in need on Sundays.
Ava Grant, 16
Pace Academy
Grant is the driving force behind Pace’s partnership with GlamourGals Foundation, a national organization that connects teens and senior citizens through conversation, companionship, and mini makeovers.