Fresh Films                             Â
Culinary Masterclass
I first joined the after-school Culinary Master Class because I wanted to learn more about cooking and how to take care of myself better through food. I thought it would be cool to understand nutrition and how to make good meals, and it definitely was. I picked up a bunch of useful skills, like knife safety, food prep, and even how to cook full meals on my own. Now I actually feel confident making food, not just for myself, but for friends and family too. Even though I’m not planning to be a chef or go into the food industry, this class taught me so much about believing in myself and stepping out of my comfort zone. We didn’t just stay in the classroom either. We got to cook in real kitchens, learn how the pros do things, and even took a tour of the Buckhead Beef facility and In-land Foods, which was pretty eye-opening. I’m proud of how much I have learned and super-excited to see how this program grows and helps other students as it helped me.Â
                        Refereeing Soccer                    Â
Refereeing soccer has taught me more than I ever expected, not just about the sport but also about leadership, decision-making, confidence, and personal growth. One of the biggest lessons refereeing has taught me is how to stay composed and objective even when faced with intense criticism. This ability to remain calm and confident under pressure has carried over into my life outside the game, whether it's public speaking, dealing with conflict, or handling high-stakes situations in school or other extracurriculars. Â
                               RiverStrong                           Â
RiverStrong is an environmental restoration and cleanup program I joined to help protect local rivers and wildlife. We work on real projects like removing trash, planting native trees, and learning how pollution affects ecosystems. It’s hands-on, and we get to see the impact we’re making right away. Besides the environmental work, the program includes outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, and camping, so it’s also about having fun, making new friends, and connecting with nature. Being part of RiverStrong has taught me responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of taking care of the environment. Â
Youth Tree Team (YTT) is a program where teens play an active role in improving the environment by planting and caring for trees in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Through regular watering, mulching, and overall maintenance, we help trees grow strong and healthy in urban spaces that often suffer from high levels of carbon dioxide, pollution, and a lack of green spaces. The goal of YTT is to reduce air pollution, lower carbon dioxide levels, and bring more natural beauty into the city. By increasing the tree canopy, we help make Atlanta’s air cleaner and easier to breathe while also creating a more pleasant, welcoming, and livable environment for everyone.Â