State Honoree

Holly Travis, 14, of Starkville, Mississippi, an eighth-grader at Armstrong Middle School, helped develop an "adopt-a-grandparent" program at a local nursing home as the president of her school's Builder's Club. "I feel strongly that our seniors are often forgotten or considered infirm, but I find the opposite is true," she said. "They are a bit of history to be respected." Holly leads her club on monthly visits to the nursing home to play bingo, make arts and crafts, sing, and read with the residents. Sometimes they also take them on walks, perform "makeovers" for the women, or just listen to their stories. Holley, who has been active in her community since she was six, also has volunteered with her church, mentored children at a sports camp, worked on Habitat for Humanity construction sites, and currently plans service projects as secretary of her school's student council. "What motivates me the most when participating in volunteer work is seeing the joy in people's eyes after helping with their needs," she said.