Distinguished Finalist

Alexandra Taikowski, 17, of Fairfield, Conn., a senior at Fairfield Warde High School, coordinated "Catwalk for a Cure," a mother/daughter fashion show that raised $10,000 to pay for breast cancer care for women who cannot afford it. Alexandra, inspired by her grandmother's fight against breast cancer, organized a group of 14 volunteers, mobilized students from two area high schools, and oversaw all aspects of the event.