Amanda Haworth
La Jolla
Creator, High School Holocaust curriculum |
2008: "Before I received this award, most people did not know about my project and what the goal of it was. With all the publicity that came with the award, my project has reached so many more people…I really feel that this award has inspired other kids to change their communities too. It helps teens realize that they actually can make a difference rather than thinking, 'Oh, I’m just a teenager; there’s nothing I can do about it.' It will follow me all the rest of my life. I will always feel an obligation to give back and I will never feel that I can just walk away from something that needs to be done. It is truly a life changing experience for me."
2009: "I have just finished my first year of college at Indiana University, Kelley School of Business. In June I was fortunate to go to Israel on Birthright and had the most amazing experience of my life. This trip has made me feel a strong connection with Israel and I would like to go back again as soon as possible. Next year I will be the Mitzvah Corps Chair on the Hillel Student Board and I hope to devote as much of myself as possible to my Jewish Community. I am so proud to be a Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award recipient and as part of my responsibility, I plan on continuing in my work to help repair the world."
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Allison Hoffman
Los Altos
Founder, YADA (Youth Alliance for Darfur Action) |
2008: "For me the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award was proof that teenagers really can make a difference. I had always felt personally fulfilled by my service but this award not only reinforced that belief it also educated adults…Since winning the award, I have held a 'Stop Genocide in Sudan' t-shirt sale in my area, which raised over $2,000. I began to participate in Stanford STAND and attended and publicized their events including a showing of 'Darfur Now'. I have attended multiple Darfur rallies in San Francisco and Oakland. I continue to call in to the White House on a regular basis and encourage others to do so. I plan to use my award money to attend Tufts University."
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Justin Sachs
Carlsbad
Founder, The Tikkun Project and Peak Performance Lifestyles Foundation |
2008: "The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award has had an incredible impact on my life. Well beyond the monetary assistance it lends to various community action projects I support and many projects I have initiated myself, the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award has inspired me in unimaginable ways…(It) was a pivotal force in completing my first book, Your Mailbox Is Full, a teen development book focused on empowering teens to take their lives to the next levels through adapting life-skills such as goal-setting, time management, finding one's true passion, and living a healthy lifestyle. The book will be followed by a speaking tour in high schools throughout the country."
Note: Justin wrote a second reflection in 2009. Click here to read it.
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Shira Shane
Encino
Creator, TAG (Teens Against Genocide) |
2008: "I formed TAG (Teens Against Genocide) and rallied in front of the federal building because I was truly and deeply enraged by the ongoing genocide in Sudan. I am honored that the Diller Foundation chose me for the award and think it’s important to remind teens that their actions and efforts can have large impacts… I will be using the Diller award money for my college tuition. I hope that through my studies I can better understand the human rights violations that have occurred in history and learn ways in which we can prevent future suffering and infractions…Receiving the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award has inspired me and strengthened my commitment to Tikkun Olam."
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Erich Sorger
Beverly Hills
Founder, Dollars for Dwaynes |
2008: "The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award has affected me deeply. It has engendered within me a burning desire and a responsibility to make every situation better, whether it is a conversation about political issues or about the lead in the plumbing in West Philadelphia (where I attend the University of Pennsylvania.) Last year I organized a huge carnival for impoverished Philadelphia children of the DELCO Early Learning Center, together with a team of UPenn management students. My hope was to instill a positive attitude in the youth within that community so that they can carry it into adult life in order to improve themselves and their future communities."
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