Ava Wong, 17
Academe of the Oaks
Ava participates in the Hope Education Project that connects high school students to the refugee community. For the third year in a row, she works every Sunday with refugee children, helping them with school work and making them feel welcome. She also holds a leadership role in the Green School Initiative, where she works with a group of students on energy conservation, and participates in the Global Nomads Program, which connects students around the world through video conferencing. Recently, Ava founded the school’s news blog (The New Street Journal) and acts as chief editor. This past summer, Ava volunteered at the nonprofit Mountain Learning and Retreat Center in North Carolina, where she did everything from farm work to helping children. “When people take the time to help others, they discover something that’s so much more rewarding. Through the volunteering that I do, I’ve realized how helping one another is bigger than a couple hours from my Sunday.”

To See all 20 Under 20 Honorees for 2019, go to https://atlantaintownpaper.com/2019/01/meet-our-20-under-20-honorees-for-2019/