Teen leader Nosa Akol takes her message to PBS

 

Aided by Cornell youth development programs, Broome County teenager Nosa Akol received the 2015 4-H Youth in Action Award, the organization’s highest youth honor, for her leadership in driving positive community change, empowering peers and overcoming personal challenges. Akol was selected from more than 80 candidates nationwide and received a $10,000 scholarship for her work on nutrition education and other efforts.

On Saturday, Oct. 3 at 3 p.m., Akol, 17, a native of South Sudan, will be interviewed as part of PBS’ coverage of American Graduate Day 2015.

In the video above, she discusses how her involvment in CITIZEN U - a 4-H and Cornell Cooperative Extension program that puts at-risk youth on a path to college - helped her overcome bullying and self-imposed social isolation: "CITIZEN U really really gave me a voice. It gave me power through self-conficence."