The Brentwood Community Council awarded Brentwood Youth Citizen Awards to the following outstanding students, who exemplify leadership, innovation, dedication and courage. Â
Catherine Haber, 8th Grade, St. Martin of Tours School
Catherine Haber was one of 40 national finalists in the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, held at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. where she participated in “Going Green.†She learned that “green bags†carry a larger load, and are recyclable and reusable.
Catherine started a fundraiser at St. Martin of Tours School selling green bags. The project has created awareness at the school and raised several hundred dollars for a charity in Africa. She was invited to appear on The Discovery Channel program, Mythbuster. She will also have minor planets named after her and her Science instructor.
Juliana Klein, Senior, The Archer School for Girls
Juliana says, “A core principle in my life is the concept of Tikkun Olam, which translated from Hebrew means ‘to repair the world.’†Juliana serves as a Peer Advisory Leader to help students resolve differences. She heads the school’s Community Service Board to assist students in finding volunteer opportunities.
Juliana has worked in the library and with children at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services. She has been a camp counselor for homeless children at Camp Harmony and volunteered at the Westside Children’s Center. Juliana is active in the CHOSA (Children of South Africa) Club, raising money for children and educating classmates about this cause.
Last year, she completed 100 hours of community service and was awarded Archer’s Community Service Board’s Certificate of Excellence and a Commendation for Service by the City of Los Angeles.
Mason Moss, Senior, Brentwood School
Mason Moss is a scholar, athlete, senior prefect and peer leader at the school. He works with mentally and physically challenged children at Culver City High School. He mentors Luke, a student there, helping him with basketball.
Mason went to Guadeloupe for a month of community service, including cleaning beaches, paving trails and rebuilding a basketball court. He is a volunteer with Special Olympics, the Heart Walk and toy drives.
Rebecca Epstein, Senior, Palisades Charter High School
During the holidays Rebecca packs food for the homeless and needy with the Red Cross Club. In Best Buddies she is paired with a disabled student who loves chess and computer games. Â
Orphans from Moshi, Tanzania visited her school and Rebecca decided to start a club. ROTA (Reaching Out to Africa) raises funds for the orphanage. ROTA has over 50 members. As president, she visits elementary schools and teaches other kids about the poverty in Tanzania. Rebecca’s club held bake sales and sold African artisan jewelry to raise money for the orphanage. They sponsored a “green carnival†to fund a vegetable garden for the orphanage. The students raised more than $5,000.
