Teen Character Awards To Be Presented At McLean Day

MCLEAN, VA — Nine teens will be honored with the 24th annual Teen Character Awards by the McLean Citizens Association on McLean Day this upcoming Saturday.

The award ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Lewinsville Park. Awards will be presented by Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, Dranesville District School Board member Elaine Tholen and McLean Citizens Association president Scott Spitzer.

"The award is to honor teens who demonstrate outstanding character," the McLean Citizens Association shared in a news release. "Teens who have, on their own and without compensation, helped out in their neighborhood or community, are being recognized not only for themselves but as an example to others."

Winners include:

Max Blacksten, McLean High School junior

Max Blacksten is a teen representative for the McLean High School boundary on the McLean Community Center Governing Board. He participated in the Teen Town Hall in March, attends the monthly board meetings, and serves on the board’s finance and program committees.

"He expresses new ideas confidently for discussion and helps the board move forward in collaboration," the McLean Citizens Association shared. "By raising the concerns and interests of his fellow peers, Max makes sure that MCC’s program offerings are effectively marketed to teen demographic and that programs are nuanced to what teens are interested in."

Ivy Chen, Langley High School senior

Ivy Chen has served two consecutive years as the teen representative for the Langley High School boundary on the McLean Community Center governing board. In 2021, Chen designed an infographic with details of the governing board election. The graphic got such a positive response, it was updated and used again for the 2022 governing board election. Chen also helped to suggest details for the Teen Town Hall in March.

"Ivy appreciates the role of students in collaborative decision-making on the Governing Board," the McLean Citizens Association shared. "She articulates student needs and helps to establish goals for meaningful programming that addresses the needs and interests of her student peers."

Caroline Klein, McLean High School junior

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Caroline Klein took on additional responsibilities so her parents could keep working, which meant caring for her younger sister and preparing some household meals. Klein helped her sister get ready for virtual school each day, started activities with neighborhood children, helping students stay engaged and giving other parents a break. Even after pandemic restrictions were lifted, she continued to provide activities to elementary-aged children in the neighborhood.

"She can aways be counted on for solace, enthusiastic support of other children’s accomplishments, and spending time outside playing games with them. She is mature and trusted by the families in her neighborhood," the McLean Citizens Association shared.

Kevin Lee, Langley High School sophomore

Kevin Lee is a volunteer at Inova Fairfax Hospital Gift Shops. Lee's father says the volunteer work at the hospital is a priority activity because he enjoys helping people.

Lee's supervisor wrote, "He learned very quickly. After observing Kevin's manners with customers and team members we all felt confident to have him in charge of running one of our stores during his shifts as well as helping the employees train new volunteers."

"He has empathy for people who are in need, wants to care for those who cannot help themselves, and wants to help make people’s lives better," the McLean Citizens Association shared. "Activities like helping visitors select special gifts in the Gift Shop for a patient they are visiting or helping to discharge a patient who has recovered from a serious illness make Kevin feel grateful about his volunteer work at the hospital."

Sean Lee, Langley High School sophomore

Sean Lee, Kevin Lee's twin brother, volunteers weekly for Global Co Lab. His projects focus on climate education efforts, including environmental documentaries, movie screenings, podcasts, and an eco-anxiety webinar. His activities seek to inform people about the climate change crisis and what can be done to improve the climate.

Lee's supervisor shares, "He addresses climate change from a global health perspective… Sean is able to effectively show his team members a very powerful way to present climate issues by relating climate change to other global issues. Sean leads all the activities from webinars to documentaries. I am impressed by his innovative ideas and methodologies. Sean is definitely a thought leader in this subject matter for us."

JoJo Philipps, McLean High School junior

JoJo Phillips started cooking dinner one night a week since both parents work and often travel. She also helps out in the neighborhood, with one neighbor sharing Phillips mentored her three children after her husband died. For instance, she secretly took the children shopping for a Mother’s Day present and has since then helped them buy Christmas, birthday, and Valentine’s presents for their mother.

"She plays a special role in two other children’s lives—children who would not get special attention without her," the McLean Citizens association shared. "She is a model citizen for the kids of her neighborhood and a source of comfort for the very young ones. She is intuitive, nurturing and mature beyond her years."

Alexander Pomper, Langley High School junior

Alex Pomper launched a children’s book drive in January 2022, Give a Kid a Book, which has collected over 4,500 books so bar. Through community and school announcements, Pomper gets donations, organizes pickups, sorts and collects donated books and maintains book drop boxes. The books have donated to more than a half a dozen area organizations, including nearly 200 books to clients of the Arlington Food Assistance Center. At the Arlington Food Assistance Center, Pomper tried to match books to the kids who approached his table and created an Amazon wish list for bilingual books that he believes the families would like.

"Alex’s books provide families with books they might not otherwise be able to afford and help instill a love of reading, which is critical for kids’ success in school," the McLean Citizens Association shared.

Sam Rakowski, McLean High School freshman

Since 2019, Sam Rakowski has led a project with an organization called Shoes That Fit to deliver new shoes to underserved children at Cora Kelly Elementary School in Alexandria. Rakowski works with the school social worker who identifies the students to receive new sneakers. Once he gets their shoe size and favorite color, Rakowski collects funds from neighbors and friends and shops for the students. Rakowski has distributed more than 250 pairs of shoes with a goal of closing the socioeconomic gap by gifting brand name shoes that children enjoy.

"The kids have been very excited to receive their shoes each season and better yet, it enables them to participate in school and sports fully," the McLean Citizens Association shared.

Rishika Singh, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology freshman

Rishika Singh designed, produced, and delivered seven IV Lily Pads to Inova’s Schar Cancer Institute’s Pediatric Infusion Unit. The IV Lily Pad fit on top of the base of an IV pole, providing a platform for a child to stand or sit while they are attached to the IV. Singh used bright colors and cheerful designs to help make the IV pole a more positive experience for children while helping them safely ride through the halls during treatments.

"Rishika is a determined worker with keen organizational skills. She spent hours perfecting the design, construction, and finish of the seven Lily Pads," the McLean Citizens Association shared. "Her optimism, intellect, and strong communication skills allowed her to find a way to construct IV Lily Pads that adhered to the strict safety standards required by the hospital."

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