Stories for the Ages: Young People Who Inspire

As children, we wonder what our futures will hold. But, at least for most of us, those wide-eyed dreams of youth aren't fully realized until decades later in our lives. That's not the case for the young people profiled here. Whether taking a stand against bullying on a national stage, developing a breakthrough cancer treatment, suiting up in a football uniform as the only female player on the field, or giving a voice to the transgender community even in the face of death threats, these inspirational young women and men are accomplishing feats largely reserved for those twice, three times, four times their age. Let's hope that the remarkable achievements of these individuals -- young people invested in innovation, devoted to bettering humanity, determined to have their voices heard -- are indicative of the power and possibilities of this generation and the ones that follow. Their drive, passion and efforts far exceed their age, and their accomplishments will continue to inspire for years to come.

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Jack of All Trades
Jack Andraka’s Wikipedia page describes him as an “American inventor, scientist and cancer researcher.” It also lists his age: 18. Inspired by the loss of a family friend, Jack turned to Google and YouTube to research cancer growth. Despite facing initial rejection from experts in the field, Jack is now credited with inventing a fast, inexpensive method to detect the presence of pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancers in their early stages. Having already accomplished what most would be lucky to achieve in a lifetime, today the whiz kid continues his research at Stanford University.
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