"Change Your World" Youth Contest

On Saturday, November 22, the winners of the MVRT Change Your World contest were recognized at a program at the Mountain View Public Library. The prizes and refreshments were sponsored by the Mountain View Los Altos Challenge Team and the Friends of the Library.

1st place, Grades 3-7
Natalie Lillie reading from her book Natalie's Lice Aren't Nice
Natalie, age 12, turned a difficult personal experience into a positive lesson for others with her book, “Natalie’s Lice aren’t Nice.” Natalie wrote the book to show other children that they don’t need to be embarrassed about this very common problem. Her book offers a realistic and entertaining story as well as guidelines for avoiding an infestation and recovering from one. The book is in the process of being translated into Spanish. Natalie received a 1st place award of $250.00 in the 3-8th grade category.

2nd place, Grades 8-12
Alexander Gonsalves -- Disha Trust: India
Alexander volunteered at the Disha Charitable Trust, a school for mentally challenged children when visiting Panaji, a city in Goa , India . He wants to do something to help the children at the school. Alexander will be starting a drive for books and art supplies to be sent to Panaji. He won a prize of $150.00 as the second place winner in the high school category.

1st place, Grades 8-12
Akash Nigam -- Kick, Lead and Dream
Akash, the $250.00 1st place winner in the high school category, loves soccer and cares about people who have not had the advantages he has enjoyed. He put those passions together to create “Kick, Lead and Dream” a summer soccer camp for at risk youth in Mountain View. Akash has enlisted many others in his vision-- from fellow students (to serve as coaches) to the support of local organizations including Police Action League (PAL) and Mesa de la Comunidad. The program has been so successful that Akash has been asked to replicate it in Sunnyvale .

L to R: Sharlene Gee, Alexander Gonsalves, Akash Nigam, Natalie Lillie, Karin Bricker

Copies of the advance uncorrected proofs from Penguin: Listen to the Wind (a picture book) and Three Cups of Tea (young reader's edition for grades 3-6). Final copies of the books will be available for sale in January 2009.