Greeting D.A.T.E. Family,
It is almost that time to return back to Face to Face learning for a few of us. As we continue to gradually come back to school, I want us to remain safe and calm during this process. It is without a doubt that this is unprecedented times and we have to remain cautious and patient during this process.
Please continue to focus on your learning, as well as, your safety for those who are returning. Our teachers have been back in the routine for about a few days now and the process is going well. Please adhere to the rules and regulations, and the signage to ensure all is safe. We will get through this.
Congratulations to Mr. John Edwards for being selected Atlanta Metros top 20 under 20.
20 under 20
As in previous years, Atlanta Intown has asked public and private schools along with service organizations and the general public to nominate students, who have been active volunteers in their communities. These students have accumulated
thousands of hours of volunteer time, traveled to other countries, created nonprofits and worked with the underprivileged as part of their service.
This year, we noticed a trend among many of the honorees – their interest and passion for the environment and social justice causes. Many of the students are actively working at school and in the community to combat climate change and homelessness as well as mentoring refugees and underserved minority communities around the city. There has been an incredible uptick of students creating nonprofits to help raise funds not only from the community, but from corporations as well. This is our third Student to receive this award. Here is the highlight from John Edwards, who has been selected.
Age: 14
Name: John Edwards
In your own words, how has the pandemic and 2020 in general strengthen your resolve to give back to the community?
The pandemic and 2020 in general, strengthened my resolve to give back to the community by cutting down the shortage of food resources and everyday necessities, such as toilet paper. As my main focus is cutting down the shortage of food, my goal is for after every EMPIRE FILMS production, money made by the film will go toward Hosea Helps, and other non-profit organizations.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a volunteer this year?
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned as a volunteer this year is to be humble. What I mean by that is people, who came to the food drive and COVID-19 testing, were not just from the county in which I live nor of the income status people have in mind when free services like the food table & COVID testing are announced. Large numbers of people came from outside of the state of Georgia to get tested and get their groceries. Also, as I talked to some of them as they were tired from driving, and each person I talked to said to be humble through large losses, great wins, and large boundaries. For the rest of my life, I will always remember to stay humble.
What are you looking forward to doing or working on post-pandemic?
I’m looking forward to doing a lot after the pandemic, like helping with the Food Drive and helping Non-Profits, but I am planning to start production for my documentary, “Through The Black Lens.” The documentary is about how African Americans are treated in America with the addition of people with different nationalities, and races explanation on how they feel about this subject along with information from world leaders and historians.
