OFM_Dept_Super Kids_1023_DEPT 9 / 14 / 23 2 : 40 PM Page 1 C O M M U N I T Y H MILANI ELLIS Super Ellis , a senior at Dr . Phillips High School , prides herself on creating a safe place where everyone can be showcased , celebrated and heard . Ellis ’ ability to draw a crowd and recruit classmates helps her unite the school and community . As Dr . Phillips ’ senior class president and a member of the stu - dent government , she flawlessly plans and exe - Kids cutes school events to foster an atmosphere of ith so much going on in our camaraderie . Furthering her work as class presi - lives nowadays , it’s easy to dent , Ellis also holds the title of vice president for Highlighting Wsee how volunteerism has Dr . Phillips ’ Black Student Union , where she local youths fallen by seven percentage points ensures Black history is learned and celebrated since the end of the pandemic , as through student - led presentations and events . dedicated to reported by AmeriCorps . Yet , more than Ellis is also a Center for International Studies 60.7 million people of all ages and backgrounds ( CIS ) student leader . The Dr . Phillips High making the world continue to volunteer each year — all with the goal School’sCIS magnet program was established in a better place one of bringing light to the lives of those who desper - 1987 and has since combined strong academic ately need it . These “ super kids ” have not only made programs with international flair to ensure stu - action at a time . significant strides in helping to make their com - dents graduate well - rounded and with a height - munity a better place but also found joy , self - ful - by Chelsea Valcourt enedsense of cultural awareness . Ellis is an ambas - fillment and meaningful friendships in doing so . sador who exudes confidence , curiosity , awareness and hospitality when hosting international visitors REMI ALEXANDER or recruiting new students . As a Take Action Alexander , a local middle school student , is on the sponsor and speaker , Ellis strives to ensure that board of her school’s National Junior Honor marginalized groups ’ voices are heard . Ellis ’ pri - Society and enjoys volunteering not just for the marygoal is to build community and raise aware - Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central ness of the diversity worth celebrating in our Florida , but also at her local elementary school’s community . media center , the Healthy Kids Run in Lake Nona and Arthritis Foundation events with her mother . Alexander’s younger sister suffers from juve - nile idiopathic arthritis so she sees firsthand what pediatric patients endure , and is driven to do what she can to help bring a smile — even if only for a brief moment — to those who are already going through so much . Alexander started volunteering by baking cookies for the families staying in the Ronald McDonald houses . The moment she was old enough to directly volunteer in the houses , she gathered some friends and began organizing Share - A - Meals . Alexander would plan out a meal to prepare for the families , gather some friends , go to the grocery store , purchase all the ingredients and go to the house to prepare the meals . After doing this several times and getting an idea of other things the families need during their stay , she started organizing snack kits and toiletry bag donations . One day , she decided they could do more on a more consistent and global scale and became a junior ambassador . She approached the volunteer coordinator with her idea of hosting periodic col - ISABELLA GALLEGO lection events to stock and supply the hospitality carts that go through the local hospital’s pediatric Gallego , a senior at Winter Park High School , is units and provide toys , snacks , socks , toiletries and other necessities to children and families in the OrlandoPet Alliance’s youngest - ever “ Lead Kitty hospitals . From there , the Junior Cornerstone Society program was born . Cuddler Volunteer . ” Gallego first learned about Alexander continues to organize and host collection events every couple of months and has Pet Alliance when she was just 6 years old after enlisted her friends and sister into the Junior Cornerstone Society program . Together they all make bringing her sick cat to their veterinary hospital . a greater impact . Fromthe moment she walked in and saw the vol - 54 ORLANDO FAMILY october 2023 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM