You never become truly successful by sitting down and wishing to become so. You must undertake something so great that you
cannot accomplish it unaided.
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- Helping children thrive
- Age: 17
- School: The Lawrenceville School
- Hometown: South Orange, N.J.
- Gender: Male
- Category: Social Activism and Community Service
In sixth grade, Ryan made a New Year’s resolution: to make someone smile eve
ry day. He’s been hard at work ever since, bringing cheer to others through more than 200 hours of community service. He has tutored underclassmen, taught chess to local children, packed books and school supplies for needy kids in Ghana and collected sneakers to be recycled for use as the rubber surface of a Louisiana playground. He has also counseled kids traumatized in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as part of a program sponsored by his church. When he was 10, he started a summer camp for kids ages 4-7 with the assistance of his mother. Helping others, says Ryan, gives him “one of the best feelings.”