Caroline Thomas  – Hilton Head Christian Academy

Caroline Thomas, a Senior at Hilton Head Christian Academy, feels it’s “important to use (her) voice for those who may not be able to speak for themselves.” Her volunteer work includes school and community service with Teens for Healthy Youth, Zonta Club, HHCA Eagle Ambassador, HHCA Leadership Group, National Honor Society, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of Darkness Walk, St. Andrew by the Sea Methodist Church and the Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival. After graduation, Caroline plans to attend Clemson University and major in psychology. She has a passion to “understand how humans think and why (we) act in certain ways” especially with children and their behavior. Once she completes her degree in psychology, Caroline wishes to pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She currently interns with Lowcountry Therapy, enabling her to obtain a diploma with distinction at her high school graduation. Through this internship, Caroline is creating a “mock occupational therapy program that can be implemented in schools…and involve specific learning disorders such as ADHD.” Congratulations Caroline!

Ava Elizabeth Rios –  Bluffton High School

Ava Elizabeth Rios, a Senior at Bluffton High School, feels that “volunteering isn’t work. It’s a chance to make a tiny difference. To overcome the fleeting nature of Time and leave (her) own permanent mark on this world behind.”  Her Inspiration to make a difference began when she started volunteering for the Hilton Head Audubon and realized the forest was a “refuge of life” where she “longed to preserve its flora and fauna.” When the president of Hilton head Audubon (HHA) challenged Ava Elizabeth to create an organization of junior and high school students with a passion for the environment who would work with HHA on various activities and to support their mission, Ava Elizabeth created the AAHA! – Adolescents Advocating for Hilton head Audubon! She continues to build this network that includes over 30 different students from our public and private schools, engaging “them to work collectively to support HHA and (their) environmental projects.” A recipient of the 2024 Mayor’s Exceptional Service Award, Ava Elizabeth has volunteered her time through the Rotary International’s Interact Club, Student Council of Bluffton HS, Bobcat Readers, Spanish and Science national Honor Societies, Coastal Discovery Museum, Newhall Audubon Preserve, and Turtle Trackers of HHI. After graduation she would like to pursue a degree in the fields of environmental science, microbiology and biochemistry. Ava Elizabeth feels she is “guided by (her) unwavering passion for knowledge and habitats” with a goal to actively contribute to the development of a mechanism for biological degradation of PE and PP plastics. Congratulations Ava Elizabeth!

Christopher Nguyen – Hilton Head Christian Academy

Christopher Nguyen, a Senior at Hilton Head Christian Academy, feels that “community service has always been an integral part of his life, a natural extension of (his) passions and interests.” After graduation, he plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. Progressing through high school, he felt he expanded his knowledge and “learned concepts…how chemistry could be applied to make real-world impacts.” Once he completes his degree in chemical engineering, Christopher’s goal is “to contribute to solving the global water scarcity crisis by developing technologies that improve access to clean water.” He feels he can combine his technical skills with his passion for social impact by creating a meaningful change in communities that suffer from inadequate water access. A recipient of the Mayor’s Youth Volunteer Service Award, Christopher has completed hours of service at school and in the community. His volunteer work includes Robotics and STEM camps, lessons Academy (Teaching piano lessons to younger students), and with the organizations: First Tee, Outside Foundation, Schoolhouse.world SAT Math tutoring and Volunteers in Medicine. Christopher is a National Merit Finalist and a US Presidential Scholars Candidate. For Christopher, “Service is about providing guidance and support in challenging moments and making a positive impact, no matter how small, on the lives of others.” Congratulations Christopher!