State Honoree

Louise Adair, 13, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., a seventh-grader at Tuscaloosa Academy, traveled on a mission trip with her family to North Carolina twice in the past two years to assist refugees from numerous countries by cooking, cleaning and helping with their children. Louise learned about One7, a faith-based organization in Charlotte that provides transitional housing, mentoring and tutoring for refugees, when a representative spoke to her congregation. “I knew people who had gone and said it was amazing,” said Louise. “This was important to me to help others who have lost everything.”

On her mission trip, Louise spent part of her time cleaning a local high school, and cleaning and setting up apartments that serve as temporary housing for newly arrived refugees. She also helped distribute food, clothing and other essentials; prepare meals; tutor young students after school; and take care of babies. The most difficult part, Louise said, was the language barrier. “Most of the refugees spoke different languages and very little English,” she explained. If given the opportunity, she said, she would love to go back. “I learned about what people have gone through. Not everyone has a bed to sleep in at night and food to eat for dinner. It taught me to be thankful for what I have,” said Louise.