State Honoree

Abigail Blue, 17, of Meridian, Idaho, a senior at Mountain View High School, has worked tirelessly through a number of organizations to promote understanding and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and to provide support to LGBT youth. "I was raised by a mother who taught me my voice counts, and to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves," said Abigail. So when she saw how some of her LGBT friends at school were often bullied, "I wanted to do something to help my community achieve acceptance," she said.

Abigail took a leadership class sponsored by Planned Parenthood and began volunteering for the organization. She answered phones, recorded data, staffed fair booths and helped with advertising. Soon after, she started doing office and community outreach work with Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS. When she learned about the Gay-Straight Alliance, an anti-bullying group, she helped organize a chapter at her school and is now president. Recently, Abigail worked with students from other schools and the Idaho Safe Schools Coalition to bring more than 200 LGBT youth together from all over Idaho for a night of games, activities and mutual support. She also helped make an anti-bullying video and assisted with a writing workshop that encouraged LGBT students to share their life experiences. "I would tell my peers, straight or gay, that it is their duty to be involved," said Abigail. "It is us who will bring change to our community. It is within our power to do great things."