SAN ANTONIO — A special group of young people chosen as Champions For Change are determined to make life better for others in the San Antonio area.
They are team players. They stand up for what is right and advocate for causes, and now they are the champions!
It all started with the Rowan Windham Memorial Cereal Drive. Until his death at the age of 10, Rowan Windham worked to make sure kids did not go hungry in San Antonio.
In his honor, KENS Cares and Methodist Children’s Hospital asked the public to nominate young people who exemplify the passion to serve the community.
KENS 5 is proud to recognize the 2024 Champions For Change for their compassion, leadership and inspiring work to help others.
These are their stories...
Zackeri Carrasco, 15, Taft High School
Zackeri, an industrious student at Taft High School, embodies the spirit of positive change. He established a bike club that earned recognition from the mayor, showcasing his commitment to community betterment. Zackeri created an inclusive space where all students can participate in physical activities as a unified team, taking a firm stance against bullying. He prioritizes cultivating healthy habits and fostering an environment where students can authentically express themselves and feel a sense of belonging. Zackeri's dedication to promoting unity and well-being among his peers makes him a deserving nominee for Champion of Change. As his teacher, I proudly nominate him for this honor.
Olivia Hyman, 13, Pieper Ranch Middle School
Olivia exemplifies the qualities needed to change the world for the better. As the president of PRMS NJHS and a middle school cadet in the High School NJROTC company that competed at Nationals, she consistently strives for excellence. She assists new students through the student-to-student program and excels in her extracurricular activities. Olivia is a dedicated advocate for her twin sisters, Elizabeth and Lily, who have Down syndrome, with Lily also having autism. She ensures their inclusion in social groups and activities, often giving up her own pursuits to support them. Olivia's dedication at home and in the community makes the world a better place and inspires others to do the same.
Edward Carr, 17, East Central High School
Edward's Eagle Scout project, the Community Fruit Orchard, was inspired by the long lines at food banks during COVID-19. He envisioned public fruit trees providing free food and secured land from Resurrection United Methodist Church after the initial site fell through. Despite challenges, including coordinating with church events and resolving issues with the well, Edward persevered. He enlisted professional team leaders and coordinated all aspects of the project. With support from local sponsors, the orchard now features peach, pear, apple, and grapefruit trees, offering sustainable free food for the community for generations.
Ryan Godson Mathuram, 16, Tom C. Clark High School
Ryan has demonstrated exceptional compassion and empathy by helping kids in our community excel in science and computer science. He volunteers weekly, guiding children and young adults to understand complex concepts and work collaboratively on challenging problems. Ryan is dedicated to providing mentorship and tutoring in subjects like robotics, science, engineering, and computer science to those facing life barriers and limited resources. He believes in the importance of seeing others succeed and finds value in knowing his kindness and understanding have made a difference.
Asher Remmers-Morgan, 17, La Vernia High School
In our fast-paced culture, kids often focus on activities, sports, and social media. Rowan's compassion amidst his suffering is a powerful reminder of how we should live. Asher exemplifies these values with his compassion, kindness, and empathy. From a young age, he has shown remarkable empathy towards his adopted siblings, Emilee Grace and Jude who has an intellectual disability and ADHD. He has also cared for his grandfather with advanced Parkinson's disease with dignity.
Asher's community service includes volunteering at food drives, Haven For Hope, a veteran stocking stuffer event, and working with refugee families in San Antonio. His dedication to helping others inspires everyone who knows him.
Audrey Harrison, 18, Brandeis High School
As a Mayor's Fitness Ambassador, Audrey Maria Harrison organized a service project to clean up San Antonio parks, ensuring safe and clean playgrounds and hiking areas for children. She volunteered at the Food Bank, sorting donations, promoting healthy eating, and mentoring younger students. As a Witte Land Ambassador, she learned best practices for environmental and water conservation at the SA River. Audrey also participates in her church's teen choir, leads students at ACTS retreats, and serves as a dance captain at her high school, encouraging positive leadership. Her calm demeanor and commitment to compassionate, cooperative peer interaction foster team spirit and mental health.
Audrey plays cello at concerts for elementary and middle schools and helps her community by providing pet sitting and child care for neighbors and friends. Despite her struggles with allergies and chronic eczema, she continues to help others. Her selflessness inspires those around her.
Haddon Mollenkopf, 17, Homeschool
Haddon exemplified leadership, compassion, and selflessness as the captain of our rookie competitive robotics team, Microchips & Queso, which made it to the World Championship this year. As the only member with prior robotics experience, Haddon cheerfully shared his knowledge and led the team to the Texas State Championship Finals. At Worlds, competing with teams from 40 countries and all 50 states, he coordinated extra practice sessions and connected with other team captains, providing steady leadership that calmed his teammates' nerves.
In addition to his robotics achievements, Haddon is an Eagle Scout, active in his local church and homeschool group, and a loving brother and son. His dedication and warm leadership make him a true champion.
Maya Lopez, 16, Health Careers High School
Maya exemplified leadership, compassion, and selflessness in earning her Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, by completing an 80-hour service project focused on aiding migrants at the Texas border. She developed a Spanish flyer to educate migrants on interacting with police, accessing immigration resources, obtaining food assistance, learning basic English phrases, and avoiding human trafficking. Her grandpa's church immediately adopted the flyer for use.
Maya completed this urgent project in her sophomore year, earlier than most Girl Scouts, while balancing home life, school, sports, and other commitments. She is an exceptional student at Health Science Careers High School and competes on the water polo team. Maya is a loving daughter and sister, truly a champion!
Rebekah Curtis, 16, Great Hearts Forest Heights
After a bad fall from a tree fort at age 10, Rebekah underwent two orthopedic surgeries at Methodist Children's Hospital and a hip reconstruction in Baltimore. During her five-week stay in Baltimore, she noticed the hospitality house lacked children's books. She organized a book donation drive and delivered them during her final surgery visit.
Now a healthy and active 16-year-old, Rebekah values children's access to literature. For her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, she is developing an 80-hour service project called "Quality Books for Quality of Life." She organized a book drive through her school and requested books instead of gifts at her Sweet 16 party. Over the summer, she will build three modular library containers for the Presbyterian Children's Home and Family Services campus and run a monthly story hour. Rebekah's dedication to sharing her love of reading makes her a true champion!
Adam Austin Alonzo, 13, Earl Rudder Middle School
Adam has a heart of gold, consistently offering his time to help in the community. He is passionate and committed to every endeavor he takes on, managing his numerous extracurricular activities while maintaining a high GPA in advanced courses. As a true leader, Adam excelled as the quarterback during football season, demonstrating attention to all positions, guiding his teammates, and carrying the team. His determination and dedication shine in everything he does.
At Rudder Middle School, Adam participates in football, basketball, soccer, theatre, and band as a percussionist. He is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). At St. Brigid Catholic Church, he serves as an altar server, lector, youth choir member, youth group participant, JAM team member, greeter/usher, and has been involved in theatre arts, performing in various plays over the last five years. In the community, Adam volunteers at the food bank, diaper bank, and assists throughout the year at St. Brigid's with decorating and cleaning tasks. Adam is an outstanding young man and a true leader.
