Building a Legacy of Impact

At Mount Vernon, leadership is about action, responsibility, and inspiring others. Our students are not waiting for the future to make an impact; they are stepping up today to create meaningful change. To be impact-ready means having the agency and autonomy to explore, discover, and act on what is meaningful to self and consequential to others. Guided by the Mount Vernon mantra, “Lead from Where You Are,” they embrace opportunities to make a difference in their communities. Through service, innovation, and leadership, Mount Vernon students are proving that engaged citizen leaders can stand out on a global stage. Whether launching entrepreneurial ventures that give back or leading large-scale philanthropic initiatives, they are shaping a legacy of impact that will inspire future generations.

Student Leaders Giving Back

At Mount Vernon, service is not an extracurricular activity—it is an expectation woven into the fabric of our school culture. Students actively seek ways to address real-world challenges, using their passions and skills to drive meaningful change. From raising funds for charitable organizations to pioneering sustainability initiatives, they are demonstrating what it means to be a leader.

One such initiative is the Cocoa Classic 5K. Now in its third year, this student-led event was founded by Collin Maher, Class of 2025. What started as a small idea has become a major fundraising effort, providing over 1,200 pairs of new shoes to children in need through Shoes That Fit. By creating a lasting tradition, Collin exemplifies how one student’s vision can ignite a movement, proving that leadership starts with a single step—sometimes, quite literally.

The Third Annual Cocoa Classic 5K

• Date: Saturday, February 22
• Location: Mount Vernon School, Upper Campus
• Time: 8:00 AM registration | 9:00 AM race start
• Course: USATF-certified | AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifier
• Register: runcocoaclassic.com

Beyond large-scale events like the Cocoa Classic, Mount Vernon students are taking initiative in their everyday lives. Inspired by their coursework, personal experiences, and a commitment to service, they are creating new pathways to impact.

Maya Chopra, Class of 2026, has turned her leadership into mentorship and advocacy. Volunteering at the Shepherd Center and Agape Youth and Family Center, she also leads fundraising efforts as President-Elect of CHOA Girlfriends Association. Additionally, Maya runs a jewelry business, donating 50% of her profits to ovarian cancer research, showing how innovation and service can intersect. Rough Draft recently recognized her efforts as she was one of the 20 honorees of the prestigious 20 Under 20 list for 2025.

Like Maya, many Mount Vernon students are using their passions as a platform for change. Gabe Alterman, also Class of 2026, transformed his love for basketball into a force for good. He participated in Play Your Heart Out, a basketball tournament that has raised $80,000 for Save A Child’s Heart, providing life-saving medical care for children worldwide. His ability to connect his passion with a purpose exemplifies what it means to take initiative and drive impact.

Mollie Martin, Class of 2026, an elite softball player, combines athletics and service through Girls for Good, the National Charity League. Herris Fentress, Class of 2025, leads by example as Head Prefect and an advocate for civic engagement and environmental sustainability. He secured a $1,000 grant for Mount Vernon’s apiary and works with Headcount to increase voter registration.

Recently, Mount Vernon Cross Country Team members launched The Merry Mustangs, a team dedicated to supporting the Arthritis Foundation. Despite freezing temperatures, Trey Rutecky, Class of 2026, Morgan Huggins, Class of 2028, Savannah Davis, Class of 2027, and Emma Rubinas, Class of 2027 ran a nighttime 5K, raising funds and awareness for those affected by arthritis. Their dedication exemplifies what it means to lead through action—proving that meaningful impact doesn’t always come from grand gestures but from small, consistent acts of service.

In Middle School, Zoe Oli, Class of 2029 is an entrepreneur and social advocate, serving as CEO of Beautiful Curly Me, a toy and media company empowering young Black girls. For every doll sold, she donates one to a child in need, supporting shelters and foster care organizations.

Even the youngest members of our community are making a difference. Amber Cummings, Class of 2030, has led an annual toy drive supporting Right Side Up, a local organization helping mothers in recovery, since Kindergarten. Her efforts earned her the Volunteer of the Year Award this year. “Every year, it feels even better to help other kids,” Amber shares. “I hope to keep this going and make it bigger every year.”

A Culture of Initiative and Impact

Through their work, Mount Vernon students are setting new standards for what it means to be impact-ready leaders. As they continue to innovate, serve, and lead with purpose, they remind us that leadership is not about waiting for opportunities—it’s about creating them. Their work goes beyond school projects and volunteer hours. They are launching nonprofits, leading fundraising campaigns, and using technology to solve real-world problems. This recognition isn’t just about what they’ve done—it’s about the legacy they are building for the future.

At Mount Vernon, we are not just preparing students for college—we are preparing them to lead lives of significance. They are proving that success is not just measured by grades or test scores but by the impact they have on their communities and the world. As we celebrate their achievements, we recognize that their journey is just beginning. They are setting the foundation for a sustainable legacy of leadership—one that will inspire future generations to embrace service, take bold action, and change the world.

Because at Mount Vernon, leadership isn’t about waiting for opportunities. It’s about creating them.