Distinguished Finalist

Whitley Barnes, 18, of Port Angeles, Washington, a senior at Crescent High School in Joyce, helped start a youth suicide prevention program at her school in 2004, shortly after her best friend killed himself in front of her. The program's members have visited more than 20 schools to teach teens what to do if a friend expresses suicidal thoughts. They also are trained to provide direct support to individuals as peer counselors.