Overview
The 21 students selected each year for our Georgia Youth Leadership Awards will be recognized at our annual fundraising event, Be The Inspiration Gala, receive a monetary grant, and be paired with a business professional who will coach and mentor them throughout the awards season.
Nominations
Nominations for the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards are open October - November. Only high school students who are members of 21st Century Leaders are eligible for this exclusive award.
Honor a Young Leader
To be considered for the award, a student must either be nominated by a non-relative or they may nominate themself. Students can even nominate a fellow 21st Century Leaders’ peer they are inspired by!
Nomination Requirements
To be eligible:
- Nominee must be a current 21st Century Leaders student in high school
- Nominee cannot be a former GYLA winner
- Nominee must be able to attend the gala
- Nominee must be nominated by a teacher, counselor, mentor, friend, etc. (nominator can NOT be a relative) OR self-nominate and provide a reference for verification
- Nominee must complete Level 1 in Leadership Connect by the nomination deadline, but can be nominated before this deadline
Nomination Process
Nominations are accepted October-November and are reviewed by a volunteer Selection Committee. Nominees selected for the award will be notified via email in early January.
- To nominate, click on the nomination form button and complete the form in its entirety
- Be prepared to provide detailed information about the student’s achievement(s)
- Additional items can be uploaded to the nomination form; i.e. resume, websites, videos, pictures, or articles
- Nominators may be notified by email or phone with additional questions. Please be responsive.
- The top 21 students will be selected by our GYLA Selection Committee, a group of business professionals, Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 under 40 members, 21CL Board of Directors, and 21CL alumni and student peers
- Nominators will also be notified in January if your student is selected for the award
Selection Committee
Nominations are reviewed each year by our GYLA Selection Committee, comprised of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 under 40 members, recognized community leaders, 21CL Board of Directors, 21CL corporate volunteers, 21CL alumni and previous student awardees.
2025 Georgia Youth Leadership Award Winners
Moatapari Agbere, Chattahoochee County High School, from Muscogee County
Ashley Nelson, Chamblee Charter High School, from DeKalb County
Michelle Wang, Fulton Science Academy, from Fulton County
Pranav Yellapragada, Chattahoochee High School, from Fulton County
Wendell Rogers, Dunwoody High School, from DeKalb County
Sreepadha Daram, Innovation Academy, from Fulton County
Hadil Adam, Clarkston High School, from DeKalb County
Ibraheem Hassan, Lakeside High School (Evans), from Columbia County
Tessa Hayes, Jefferson County High School, from Jefferson County
Daniella Taiwo, Lovejoy High School, from Fayette County
Christopher Boyd, Landmark Christian School, from Clayton County
Kenia Gonzalez-Chavez, Cedar Shoals High School, from Athens-Clarke County
Laurin McCoy, Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, from Richmond County
Ca’Leia Nelson, Milton High School, from Gwinnett County
Jace Williams, Westlake High School, from Fulton County
Ethan Barlay, Rockdale Magnet School, from Rockdale County
Sheona Diwakar, Campbell High School (Smyrna), from Cobb County
Micah Newton, Pickens County High School, from Pickens County
Yasmin Rios, Swainsboro High School, from Emanuel County
Sauyer Stewart, Arabia Mountain High School, from DeKalb County
Ronak Vyas, Alpharetta High School, from Fulton County
Get Inspired by Past Winners
What Our Awardees Say
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