Photo courtesy of Altamont School.
Merritt Edwards, a sophomore at The Altamont School, was presented with the 2018 Bill Moran Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award in November. The award honors a student who has made a significant impact through service in the Birmingham community.
Volunteering is important to Merritt Edwards, a Highland Park resident and sophomore at The Altamont School.
“Service is a big chance to get involved in my community and get to know people,” she said. “Seeing the impact and the difference it makes in the lives of others is definitely rewarding.”
Edwards gave more than 100 hours of her time the last year, according to an Altamont spokesperson. For example, she’s volunteered with YouthServe and YMCA programs such as AnyTown Alabama.
And in November, Edwards became the first Altamont student to win the Bill Moran Outstanding Youth In Philanthropy Award, during an event at the Harbert Center sponsored by the Association for Fundraising Professionals Alabama. The award carries a larger significance, according to Edwards.
“Youth often underestimate how much change they can make in their community, and I think this award is special because it shows us we can make a difference through our dedication to things we feel passionate about,” she said.
Edwards is also active in Altamont’s Miree Leadership program, which provides students the resources to carry out service projects.
For her project, “Celebrating Cultures,” Edwards said she wants to install wall-sized photographic displays downtown that will represent “the different cultural communities separated around Birmingham.”
