Teen People Celebrates the 8th Annual 20 Teens Who Will Change the World in the New April Issue

March 03, 2006, Teen People honors 20 remarkable teens who are making a difference with their talents and accomplishments in the 8th annual 20 Teens Who Will Change the World special report. In the April issue (on-sale March 3), Teen People profiles 20 young activists, scientists, athletes, musicians, actors and more, and reveals how this exceptional group is already using its talents to positively impact today’s world.

This year’s 20 Teens includes: Activist Given Kachepa, 19, originally from Zambia, now living in Colleyville, TX, who is helping illegal immigrants who have fallen prey to human traffickers (he too, was a victim of human trafficking). Molly Farrell, a 16-year-old swimmer, from Wheaton, IL, who was left paralyzed from the neck down due to a swimming-related accident, has today raised over $285,000 for the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Steven Alicea, a 19-year-old Puerto Rican native, now living in Miami, FL, was passed around to 17 different foster homes and battled with his sexuality before coming out in his mid-teens. With a caseworker’s help, he found a safe home environment and now attends college and works for Care Resource, an HIV-AIDS service. Farah Ahmedi, 18, from Carol Stream, IL, who lost her leg to a land mine and most of her family to a rocket in Afganistan, has published an autobiography chronicling her experiences and has raised thousands of dollars for the United Nations’ Adopt-a-Mindfield campaign. Cody DeWitt, a 19-year-old anti-smoking activist, from Superior, CO, made a documentary called Through My Children’s Eyes after learning his mother was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.

TV actors, Malcolm David Kelley, who stars on Lost, Jamie Lynn Spears, little sister of Britney and the star of Nickeoldeon’s Zoey 101, Caitlin Wachs, who plays the daughter of the first female president on Commander in Chief, Leven Rambin, who plays Lily Montgomery on All My Children, Mackenzie Rosman, who stars on 7th Heaven, and Scarlett Pomers, who plays Kyra on Reba also land on Teen People’s 20 Teens special report as young celebrities who are making a difference. “I want to give back by helping children and making them feel like they’re not alone,” says Malcolm David Kelly who is a spokesperson for First Star, on organization committed to improving life for abused and neglected kids.

A component of 20 Teens is the magazine’s continued commitment to help combat violence in schools. In support of this platform, Shannon Sullivan, 14, is being recognized as Teen People’s 21st teen for her anti-violence activism. Shannon, from Wood-Ridge, NJ, started a local chapter of Teenangels at her school. The teen-led organization patrols the internet to look for signs of trouble and helps educate kids about the dangers of online predators. In recognition of their achievements and to support these teens in their future endeavors, L’Oréal Paris will award each of the 20 Teens a $1,000 scholarship and they will be honored at a special Awards luncheon on March 10, in New York City.

Teen People, a National Magazine Award winner for General Excellence, is the definitive voice of youth culture. Launched in January 1998, Teen People became the first pop culture magazine for teens that focuses on stars, style and substance. With an editorial mix covering celebrities and entertainment, fashion and beauty, real teens and their accomplishments, Teen People keeps its readers clued in to what’s now, what’s next and what matters. Published ten times a year with two newsstand special editions, Teen People’s guaranteed circulation is 1.45 million. TEENPEOPLE.COM is the magazine’s official website.

The L’Oréal Paris Brand Division of L’Oréal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care company with well-known products for the entire family, including Natural Match, Couleur Experte, Preference, Excellence Creme, Féria, ColorSpa Moisture Actif, Color Pulse and Hi-Light Styliste haircolors; Studio Line styling products, the VIVE line of shampoos and conditioners, the L’Oréal Kids grooming line, Dermo-Expertise skincare, Men’s Expert Skincare, Sublime Bronze Self Tanners, Sublime Slim Anti-Cellulite Gel, and L’Oréal Color Cosmetics.

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Amy Galleazzi

Teen People

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