Every person, no matter how young, can contribute to making the world a better place. The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes announces its 2014 winners, who are inspiring examples of public-spirited kids and teens taking action. Each year, the Barron Prize honors twenty-five outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 from all across America who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. The top fifteen winners each receive $5,000 to support their service work or higher education.
The Barron Prize was founded in 2001 by author T.A. Barron and named for his mother, Gloria Barron, who instilled in her children the idea that one individual can make a difference in the lives of others. "Nothing is more inspiring than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world," says Barron. "And we need our heroes today more than ever -- people whose character can inspire us all. That is the purpose of the Gloria Barron Prize: to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their stories will inspire others."
The 2014 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes winners from Vermont are Finn McFarland and Anna Ramsey, age 18, who built a community root cellar in their hometown and created a Grow Some, Feed Many gardening initiative in order to store and deliver fresh local produce to their town's food bank year-round.
The winners of the Barron Prize award, both past and present, represent the great diversity of America. There 2014 winners represent the states of Vermont, Florida, Louisiana, California, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Illinois, Oregon, and Wisconsin. They are female and male, urban and rural, and from many races and backgrounds.
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes is in association with National Geographic Education Foundation; Girl Scouts of the USA; Earth Force; the Jane Goodall Institute; Youth Service America; and Student Conservation Association.