Cascade Student Wins Georgia Youth Leadership Award

21st Century Leaders, a Georgia-based non-profit youth leadership and talent development program, announces the top 20 youth leaders selected for the 8th annual Georgia Youth Leadership Awards to be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the College Football Hall of Fame.

Since 2008, 21st Century Leader’s recognizes 20 outstanding high school students throughout Georgia who have made a significant impact on their schools, communities and beyond.

Jonathan M. Johnson, a junior at Westlake High School in Fulton County, combined his passion for helping his community with his love of business. Serving as the Student Government Association President-Elect and an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, Jonathan directed Let’s Walk Away Lupus, a 2K Walk/Run to spread awareness regarding the obscurely known Lupus Disease.

His work began after he learned that his favorite teacher, Mrs. Chantrise Holliman, suffered from this disease, as well as a large portion of his community. He organized, created, and marketed the walk, along with recruiting twenty educational (teen businesses and health-related groups) vendors. Over 100 people attended his event, which not only honored his teacher but educated the public. In addition to Let’s Walk Away Lupus, Jonathan is developing his peer-tutoring business F’s to A’s Tutoring Services (www.fstoastutoring.com) and Nonstop Leadership Group, a teen leadership organization, to continue his service to his community.

The students will be honored at the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the College Football Hall of Fame. Through corporate sponsors, each youth leader will be presented with a $250 mini-grant, with one student awarded the Turner Voices Innovative Leadership Award – the event’s top award which includes a $1,000 mini-grant from Turner Broadcasting.