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The pandemic couldn’t stop
ZoeGlickman, 17, and her
dedication to combating
racism, antisemitism, and
discrimination against the
LGBTQ community. The North
Atlanta High School senior
developed the idea for a Black
and Jewish student coalition
and reached out to peers from
both those groups as well as
community leader to present
the idea of a union. Despite the
challenges of COVID-19 and
social distancing, Zoe’s efforts
resulted in the inception of
the first student organization
of its kind at North Atlanta.
“The most valuable lesson that
I’ve learned as a volunteer this
year, is to take time to educate
yourself rather than sitting and
waiting for someone else to do
it. By educating yourself, I mean
taking time to listen to stories of people whose lives are far different than your own, as well
as learning the history behind why a community might be hurt.”
Eli Rubenstein, 16, was feeling
isolated and lonely during the
pandemic, so he came up with an
idea to create an online community
for LGBTQ teens — the only
one of its kind in Georgia. Early
last summer, the Ben Franklin
Academy sophomore launched The
Closet, an online chat for teens
age 14 to 18 held every Friday
and Saturday night. The online
chat events are moderated by an
LGBTQ adult to ensure the space
is safe, appropriate, and fun. The
chats have been such a success,
that Eli hopes to create a hybrid of
virtual and in-person chats post
pandemic. “Starting The Closet,
I was able to virtually connect
with kids from Georgia who had
similar interests and it really gave
me a sense of community. We
watched movies, talked, and were
able to share what we were all going through during a really difficult time. I’m really
looking to connecting face to face with all the friends I’ve made online and expand our
relationships.”
Kaili Stith, 12, organized a protest in Morningside against
police brutality and racial injustice at the height of this
summer’s demonstrations, rallying dozens of her classmates
and neigbhors to participate. The Howard Middle School
seventh grader also designed and commissioned the
manufacturing of a line of shirts on Etsy called, Tee Shirts
for Justice. The shirts sold out almost immediately and
Kaili is using the proceeds to put together care packages for
local women living in shelters. “I am looking forward to
continuing protesting for human rights, but with a larger
audience. I look forward to giving back in a way when I can
interact with people face to face, that really just brightens
up my day when I am able to see the impact I make.”
John Edwards, 14, has devoted himself to helping others
affected by the pandemic and racial injustice. At New Birth
Missionary Baptist Church, he has volunteer in food drives
every Saturday since pandemic began and assisted with
organizing virus testing for the community. He participated
in marches against racial injustice both in Atlanta and
Washington, D.C. and created his own company, Empire
Films, to make a documentary, “Through the Black Lens,”
about the impact COVID-19 has had on families and
schools. All the profits received from the documentary will
go to helping communities and organizations such as Hosea
Helps and the NAACP. A student at Dekalb Agricultural
Technology and the Environment, said he was humbled by
the people he met and things he witnessed during 2020.
“The pandemic and 2020 in general, strengthened my
resolve to give back to the community, specifically helping
to cut down the shortage of food resources and everyday
necessities, such as toilet paper.”
Charlie Kazazian, 16, received the Congressional Gold
Medal this summer for his 400 hours of volunteer work
with the nonprofits MedShare, Action Ministries, NFCC,
Must Ministries. For the last few years, the Wesminster
junior has worked with the nonprofit Mad Housers, which
helps provide temporary shelter to the homeless by building
individual wood huts. During the pandemic, Charlie
downloaded the hut schematics and built a hut with his
dad, which was then deployed to designated location in
Atlanta. He said he wants to continue his volunteer work
post-pandemic, including building more huts. “Serving in
this way has really helped me get through the pandemic.”
34 January 2021 |
AtlantalNtownPaper.com