Atlanta’s Young Trailblazers: Meet the 20 Under 20 Honorees Shaping Community Futures, Including APS Initiatives

In an age where the headlines often focus on division, a beacon of hope shines brightly from Atlanta: its youth. The 17th annual ’20 Under 20′ honorees for 2026, presented by Rough Draft, are not just students; they are architects of change, innovators, and compassionate leaders who are already leaving an indelible mark on their communities and beyond. From advocating for gun safety in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to pioneering environmental solutions and fundraising for critical health research, these young individuals embody a spirit of profound dedication and a relentless drive to make the world a better place.

This year’s selection, culled from over 100 impressive nominations, highlights a diverse array of talents and passions. What unites them is their ability to excel academically while simultaneously tackling pressing societal issues with maturity and insight far beyond their years. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to impact, and that the future, guided by such capable hands, holds immense promise.

Youth-Led Advocacy: Shaping Policy and Promoting Safety

The urgency of social issues often galvanizes young people, and this year’s honorees are no exception. Take Avery Frank, Mariam Darb, Julia Barton, Audrey Lyons, and Kate Krugman, all 17-year-olds from Midtown High School. In the wake of the tragic Apalachee High School shooting, these young women founded Midtown High School’s chapter of March for Our Lives. Their efforts extended far beyond their campus, leading a school-wide walkout attended by over 1,700 students and teachers, where they delivered powerful speeches advocating for gun violence awareness and state policy changes. Their influence reached across the district, as they collaborated with Atlanta Public Schools administration to launch a district-wide pledge for safe firearm storage, distributing flyers to parents across the city. Their activism culminated in a student press conference at the Georgia Capitol, pushing for crucial legislation.

Similarly, twin brothers Max and Anselm Bell, 17, from The Westminster Schools, are leading a youth-driven movement to ensure every child in Georgia with dyslexia has the right to read. Through their organization, WriteToRead.org, they’ve become formidable advocates for literacy equity, raising awareness, influencing policy, and mobilizing a statewide network of students, parents, and teachers. Their work has not only highlighted the struggles faced by dyslexic students but also championed innovative solutions, including hosting screenings of the award-winning documentary ‘Left Behind’ and sponsoring major fundraisers for literacy initiatives.

Inspiring Health Initiatives and Environmental Stewardship

Many honorees have turned personal experiences into powerful platforms for change, particularly in health and environmental sectors. Keren Clay, 17, from Lakeside High School, is a testament to extraordinary resilience. Diagnosed with stage four rhabdomyosarcoma at age 10, and later osteosarcoma and acute myeloid leukemia, her seven-year battle with cancer has fueled an unwavering commitment to pediatric cancer research. Despite her ongoing health challenges, Clay has raised nearly $250,000, spoken at a Congressional Caucus, and volunteered over 3,000 hours for various cancer foundations. Her mantra, ‘I won’t stop fighting until kids get the treatments and futures they deserve,’ resonates with profound strength.

Will Gira, 16, of The Westminster Schools, transformed his early diagnosis of amblyopia into purpose. Founding Eyes 4 Everyone, his nonprofit has collected and donated over 1,000 pairs of eyeglasses to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, valued at more than $100,000. Gira’s initiative not only provides essential vision care but also contributes to environmental sustainability by recycling plastic and metal from discarded glasses. His vision is clear: to help others ‘see the way I see.’

On the environmental front, Annie Lin, 19, from Georgia Tech, is tackling microplastic pollution in Atlanta’s waterways. Securing a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, Lin trained 20 students to collect and analyze water samples from the Chattahoochee River, establishing the first database of microplastics in Atlanta’s natural waters. Her First Step team, now comprising over 250 students across 36 metro-Atlanta schools, exemplifies her belief that ‘Youth should be at the center of community action.’ Luna Castro, 14, of North Springs High School, co-founded the VAYU climate initiative, developing an eco-friendly terracotta cooling system to combat extreme heat in vulnerable environments. Her project, now funded by the Atlanta Youth Climate Fund, showcases her dedication to sustainable engineering.

Boosting Education and Community Engagement, Including APS Support

Several honorees are dedicated to enhancing educational access and community well-being. Grayson Cooke, 17, and Finn Graber, 18, from The Lovett School, are a remarkable example of direct community impact. These tennis doubles partners founded Serve First, an initiative aimed at bridging the economic gap in tennis. After witnessing an opposing high school team arrive without basic equipment, they felt compelled to act. Since their junior year, they have collected over $22,000 in equipment to outfit fledgling tennis programs within Atlanta Public Schools. Partnering with organizations like Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Agape Tennis Foundation, they’ve provided gear and lessons, particularly to Benjamin E. Mays High School, and are now expanding their reach to a third APS school. Their efforts demonstrate a tangible commitment to equitable opportunities in sports.

Julia Promoff, 17, from North Atlanta High School, has made a substantial impact across the greater Atlanta community. As a freshman, 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. Her environmental program, 4 Green Futures, has engaged over 6,000 students across three states, planting hundreds of trees and removing invasive species. Promoff’s message is clear: ‘If you want to make a difference, don’t let your age stop you.’

Kenzie Leonard, 16, from The Paideia School, used her personal experience with dyslexia to help others. Recognizing the difficulty in finding information about college accommodations for students with similar needs, she developed the IDA College Q&A Interview YouTube series. Through interviews with education accessibility experts and online tools, Leonard provides invaluable guidance, translating her personal journey into systemic recommendations for a national audience.

Yolanda King, 17, of Atlanta International School, is not only carrying on the legacy of her grandfather, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but forging her own path as a powerful advocate for service. As founder and editor-in-chief of AIS’s first literary magazine, ‘Golden Feather,’ and chair of the Realize the Dream Foundation’s Youth Council, she has motivated countless students and faculty to engage in service projects based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her children’s book further inspires the next generation to find their own paths, emphasizing that ‘Service has the power to change everything.’

The collective impact of these ’20 Under 20′ honorees paints a vivid picture of a generation deeply committed to civic engagement and social responsibility. Their initiatives, spanning from direct support for Atlanta Public Schools to global advocacy, demonstrate not only remarkable individual talent but also the profound power of collaborative action and the transformative potential of youth leadership.