Emma Grace Snow

Emma Grace Snow is a powerhouse in a little body.  At 12 years old, she is already thinking like a world citizen.  Sports is her passion and she has been playing all kinds since she was 4 years old.  Whatever sport is in season, is her favorite sport and she plays basketball, tennis and lacrosse plus flag football!!  When Emma Grace was in fourth grade, she observed that not everyone had the proper footwear for the sport they were participating in, leading to sliding, blisters and sometimes more serious injuries. Over time she observed this in many different sports.  “Happy Feet Contributions” is the idea Emma Grace presented to the panelists.  Her plan is to set up donation boxes in schools where people could donate “lightly used” shoes.  Instagram, Facebook, School Announcements, and posters would be used to promote the idea.  After collecting all the shoes, she plans to display them, possibly at Recreation and Parks, and let students come select appropriate athletic footwear.  “I feel that seeing such a big county project could really spark some light in other people.  Kids could learn a lot and have a great opportunity to try something new to help the world and people around them.”  We are all on Team Emma and look forward to following this project!​

Girl Scout Troop 2580

South Davie Middle School was very well represented this quarter!  Emma Grace is a 7th grader and the next to receive recognition was Girl Scout Troop 2580. All 3 of the young ladies: Clara Parsley, Iris Marion and Ruby Marion attend South Davie.  Their award-winning project and creative idea is to refurbish the courtyard at the Davie County Public Library.  Their steps for completing this project include: cleaning the courtyard, fundraising for new decorations, adding new benches and other furniture to create a fresh and inviting look, and then adding a mural for additional color. 

So far the girls have weeded, pressure washed, added hand-painted river rocks and painted flowers!  They are also refurbishing the courtyard’s three children’s benches and plan to add additional seating, shade cover and a children’s activity area!

Once the mural is approved by the County Commissioners, it will be painted by local artist, Gerald Marion, using a design the girls created!

The girls plan to host a pancake breakfast in January with a goal of raising $700.  Congratulations for implementing a project that so many will enjoy and we all look forward to seeing you for pancakes in January!!​

Casey Cao

Casey Cao is a Junior at DCHS with hopes of going to WFU, HPU, UNC or possibly studying abroad!  Her writing and communication skills are exceptional and as a member of Future Business Leaders of America, she has gotten to put those skills to the test by selling boxes of chocolate.  She plans on doing business on the side while focusing on medical, so it is important to maximize her persuasion and communication assets.

In addition, Casey is the club president of Heroes of Hope, a club at DCHS that supports the work of House of Hope Piedmont.  House of Hope Piedmont is a faith based nonprofit ministry which runs a comprehensive residential treatment program for teenage girls who are hurt and struggling which may include addictions, depression, abuse, cutting and much more.  The second aspect of their mission is the restoration of these girls and their families. 

When Casey Cao joined the club as a sophomore, there were only 4-5 students that regularly came to the Monday meetings.  Casey had not really planned on getting involved, but she is so glad she did.  Under her leadership, along with founder Robert Bailey, the club has grown to 40-50 regular participants!  

They recently held a successful bake sale where they raised $375 and they are planning a big fundraiser with the Soaring Eagles Fashion show, which Heroes of Hope is hosting.  Casey’s personal goal for this fundraiser is $1,000.00.  Another wonderful service project that several members will be involved in is “Operation Christmas Child.”  Club members will be working alongside Samaritan’s Purse volunteers to make Christmas Shoeboxes for children in need.

“The entire project that is House of Hope/Heroes of Hope is so important to me and the club members because we are actually making a difference in the lives of other human beings.  This isn’t a metaphorical, ‘we are changing lives’, we ARE and STRIVE to change lives for the better.  I am so grateful to be surrounded by a bunch of like-minded optimistic people who truly want to help others, like members of the Davie Respect Initiative.  To change lives is to change the world.”   Without a doubt Casey is making a difference in Davie County and beyond!   

​For more information about House of Hope Piedmont, go to www.houseofhopepiedmont.org

Ava Brown

Ava Brown is a two time recipient of the DRI award.  Her first project, “Pencils for Peers,” came as a result of having class interrupted by students who had lost or forgotten their pencils.  The teacher would stop everything to give them a pencil and Ava learned that many of the teachers paid for pencils out of their own pockets.  She collected 21,000 pencils and delivered them to elementary and middle schools.  This quarter she had a “blooming” good idea called, “Blooms of Hope.”  In March some of the DRI Ambassadors hosted a BINGO Saturday for the residents of Somerset Court in Mocksville.  Ava was reunited with an old family friend, Mary Anne, who used to be a waitress at Millers.  She and her mother continued to visit this special resident and when they brought her an orchid, she just lit up.  This gave Ava the idea of creating small floral arrangements with a note or a prayer. “Some residents long for a sense of appreciation, that someone cares and sees them, thinks about them, and prays upon their well-being and happiness.”   Ava has always loved flowers and flower arranging.  “My project will inspire others to take something they love and put it to good use to make someone's day. It will emphasize how community service can be so positive when you take your own passions and incorporate it into how you show respect and love for others.” 

​Ava made 53 beautiful flower arrangements and delivered them to ALL the residents of Somerset Court.  The look of total JOY when Ava walked in the room with the colorful arrangement and a card was indescribable. 

Charlotte Anderson

Charlotte Anderson has been a mountain biker for many years.  Over the years, she has noticed that park restrooms are often far from the trailheads.  Charlotte decided to build a changing stall at Salisbury Community Park.  “I wanted to provide a safe space for bikers and hikers to change in and out of athletic wear.”  It took over 80 hours of planning, journaling, collaborating and building, for which Charlotte also earned her Girl Scout Gold Award.  The final product was a functioning wooden stall with a roof, lockable door, bench, and clothing hook.  “This project is also dedicated to inspiring others to upkeep their community and encourage the youth to come together to address things that need to be fixed or improved.”    
Charlotte is currently a sophomore at Appalachian State University and enjoys all types of music!

Nick Ruff

Nick is now a sophomore at UNC Charlotte and is a second time awardee!  His first project Cyber Safe Seniors, piggy backs on his knowledge of the online world and partners with local law enforcement to protect senior citizens from participating in financially manipulative scams.
 
Nick’s second project was a  “sparkling” idea of helping teachers fight germs and keep kids healthy by setting up a donation drive to collect essential items like hand sanitizer, tissues, paper towels and disinfecting wipes.  Middle and elementary school administrators have been contacted and many have already responded with enthusiasm.  By setting up a competition between grades or “houses”, Nick thinks this will result in increased donations as well as being fun for the students.  A draft letter to solicit donations will be sent to businesses and corporations.  With flu season coming on and Covid still in the picture, the panelists thought this to be a very worthwhile project and awarded Nick with the $1,000.00 check.   We look forward to getting updates on this positive initiative