Distinguished Finalist

Chowdhury Bari, 19, of Grand Prairie, Texas, a senior at Lamar High School, partnered with his friend to start the “HelpMate Foundation,” providing essential items from the United States to people in need in Bangladesh. Inspired by the service of his father, who helped many people as a brigadier general in the Bangladesh army, Chowdhury works with business owners to offer support to those in need with a focus on child laborers, and has provided education, clothing, food and health care to people in many communities.