Carmen Cook
Carmen grew up in a bustling suburban town, and though everyone seemed busy doing their sports, clubs, and hangouts, she never found herself actively participating. Practice, perform, practice, perform, championship, and then off-season. The work lacked substance; it had no lasting change; it was genuinely pointless. It wasn't until high school that she realized sports, clubs, and extracurriculars could help the community through volunteer services. She became a more active community member through this realization, joining many organizations that educated her and helped the local community. Now, as a youth leader and peer educator, Carmen is ready to overcome all obstacles with her friends, family, and community support.
Ruth Bader Ginsberg, or "Notorious RBG" as she has been coined by Shana Knizhnik, was an American icon of epic proportions. As remembered by the American Bar Association, "It is undeniable that the late Justice Ginsburg transformed the legal profession, the Supreme Court, and the fabric of American society through her tireless advocacy for gender equity. She was a brilliant legal scholar who left a mark on American jurisprudence both in her role on the Court and as an advocate." NSHSS hopes to honor the blazing legacy of "Notorious RBG" by awarding ten (10) applicants with $1,000 each for their efforts to embody the spirit of RBG within their own communities.