21st Century Leaders Unveils Georgia’s 20 Under 20

Fourth Annual Class of Youth Leaders honored by 21st Century Leaders

ATLANTA (Oct. 24, 2011) – 21st Century Leaders, a non-profit whose aim is to expand the number and diversity of Georgia’s future leaders, has revealed Georgia’s 4th Annual 20 Under 20. This year’s list includes authors, nonprofit founders, philanthropists and community advocates from Atlanta to Valdosta, Cobb County to Oconee County- all under the age of 20.

21st Century Leaders, along with the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40, selects 20 Georgia students who have made a significant impact on their school or community. The awardees were chosen for initiating endeavors such as businesses and clubs, for demonstrating superior leadership skills and for being outstanding role models for other youth.

Included in this year’s list are School of Health, Science and Research at Carver students Tiffany Anderson and Cesar Chavez, and Henry W. Grady High School student Kyle Cobb.

Tiffany Anderson is a Senior at School of Health, Science and Research at Carver. After conducting extensive research on childhood obesity and related bullying, Tiffany developed The Garden Club, an 11 week, holistic program, designed to support girls ages 9-12 who have a BMI greater than the 95th percentile. Targeted specifically to the needs and culture of her Southwest Atlanta neighborhood, Tiffany has enabled 20 girls to build a strong foundation of positive self-esteem and self-image through writer’s workshops, healthy cooking, exercise, journaling, positive affirmations and meditations, community service and mentorship.

Cesar Chavez is a Senior at School of Health, Science and Research at Carver. Cesar led an awareness and fundraising campaign for his school to earn funds to pay for service learning activities, including transportation and supply costs. Due to his efforts, nearly 100- students this year will have the opportunity to feed the homeless, teach under-served elementary school children, build a community garden and deliver food to disabled senior citizens. Cesar is the President of Rock of Escape Warriors, Vice President of Carver Health and Sciences Student Government, soccer team captain and a member of National Honor Society and Beta Club.

Kyle Cobb is a Sophomore at Henry W. Grady High School. One year after receiving a life-saving organ transplant, Kyle founded Kyle’s Kids, a foundation to help children facing renal failure. Kyle’s Kids helps children on dialysis by bringing awareness to their individual situation, raising needed funds for a transplant and educating the African American community about the need for organ donation. Kyle was also awarded Camper of the Year at Camp Independence, a camp for children with kidney diseases, for voluntarily giving of his time to provide company to children who still endure dialysis.

“The level of talent and accomplishment astounds us every year,” said Bob Watson, executive director of Decatur, Georgia-based 21st Century Leaders. “Each member of this year’s class is a stellar example of a youth leader.”

The 2011 Class of Georgia’ 20 Under 20 is as follows:
Julia Abelsky, Junior, North Springs Charter High School
Tiffany Anderson, Senior, School of Health Sciences & Research at Carver
Oluwatumise (Tumise) Asebiomo, Senior, Valdosta High School
Nina Brante, Senior, Allatoona High School
Peter Bryant, Senior, The Westminster School
Cesar Chavez, Senior, School of Health Sciences & Research at Carver
Kyle Cobb, Sophomore, Henry W. Grady High School
Jevan Hutson, Senior, Whitewater High School
Nicole Izmaylov, Freshman, Alpharetta High School
Will Mathison, Sixth Grader, Hightower Trail Middle School
Gabrielle Moore, Freshman, Spelman College and graduate of Atlanta Girl’s School
Madison Murphy, Sophomore, Peachtree Ridge High School
Charles Orgbon, Sophomore, Mill Creek High School
Alleah Salone, Junior, Atlanta Girl’s School
Ellie Smith, Third Grader, Smoke Rise Prep
Katie Stanwick, Eighth Grader, Ridgeview Charter Middle School
Stanley Stewart, Senior, McNair High School
Ugonna Ume, Senior, Stephenson High School
Hannah Walters, Sophomore, Oconee County High School
Lucy Zhang, Junior, Wheeler High School

Started in 2008, the Celebrating 21st Century Leaders, 20 Under 20, continues 21st Century Leaders’ 20 year commitment to developing Georgia’s future leaders. The nonprofit began administering rigorous three-year leadership development programs to rising high school students in 1991. Since that time, more than 10,000 have participated in 21st Century Leaders. Of this group, nearly all move on to attend college. The majority report taking on formal leadership roles in their colleges/universities and in their communities. While the majority of participants – more than 60 percent – hail from metro Atlanta high schools, the program reaches students from all parts of the state.

“The 20 Under 20 builds upon our leadership development programs as yet another way for 21st Century Leaders to celebrate, encourage and develop Georgia’s future leaders,” Watson said.

APS Students Named In Previous Years

2008
Gerald Crawford, Grady High School
Devin Iverson, North Atlanta High School
Antonio Jennings, North Atlanta High School
Camille Sims, North Atlanta High School
2009
Veronica Coates, Booker T. Washington High School
Cristina Jennings, North Atlanta High School
Nick Middlebrooks, North Atlanta High School
Lisa Paige, Booker T. Washington High School
Tiffany Vernon, Grady High School
2010
Chase Maxson, Grady High School

About 21st Century Leaders
21st Century Leaders is a progressive hands-on leadership experience for Georgia high school students that cultivates essential business and community leadership skills by connecting participants with diverse peers and professionals. 21st Century Leaders provides Georgia high school students with a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills over the course of a three-year curriculum including Summer Leadership Institutes held at various Georgia universities, day and weekend events throughout the year and youth-run volunteer centers within high schools.