ST. LOUIS, MO (KPLR) – Ten young leaders received a scholarship for college and a $2,500 donation to a charity. One of the recipients, Jonny Cohen, didn’t reinvent the wheel, he just made it go faster.
“I invented Green Shields. It’s an aerodynamic air shield for school buses that saves them gas and money and good for the environment,” said Jonny Cohen.
Cohen was one of ten young leaders from around the country getting recognized for their civic work, like 17-year-old Garland Jones from Atlanta.
“We give out food bags to low income children and their families and we partner with local schools, churches and they also work as distribution centers for us,” said Garland Jones.
On Friday the group recognized these huggable heroes. Build-A-Bear Workshop recognizes young entrepreneurs by giving ten recipients $10,000, a college scholarship and a $2,500 donation to a charity of their choosing.
Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Founder, says, “The sooner they get invested in their community the more they’re going to give and come back and get an education and come back and reinvest. The return on an investment in a child is 3,000 times than if you invest in an adult.”
And it’s clear when talking to these youth leaders they’re making a positive impact on the world.
“If everyone thinks that someone else is going to do it then no one else will be doing it. So, if you want to do something you’re going to be the only person that’s gonna do it,” says Cohen
