Distinguished Finalist

Marie Sgouros, 17, of Ellicott City, Md., a member of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and a senior at Mount Hebron High School, founded two summer programs, "English Kids to Kids" and "Bridging Cultures," that pair teenagers with Burmese refugee children to teach them to speak English and help them understand the American culture. Marie, who works with her twin sister to co-lead the English Kids to Kids program, has created lessons, recruited and managed a team of volunteers, and coordinated the program in two locations for the more than 200 children who have attended since its inception in 2011.