Distinguished Finalist

Emily Montelius, 16, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a junior at Jefferson High School, founded and is the student director of "J's Closet," a donation program at her school with an inventory of more than 1,500 gently-used clothing items and 1,300 hygiene products for students in need. Emily, who founded J's Closet after hearing that many teachers at the school would spend their own money to buy clothes for children in need, has solicited donations through a social media and letter-writing campaign, and is mentoring younger students to take over when she graduates.