Prodigy Innovator Camp Early Scholarship Recipients
We’re pleased to introduce some of the outstanding teens that embody Prodigy Camp’s Innovator Program ethos of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, united by a belief in creativity, compassion, and innovation as forces for global change. Join these young innovators and apply today at: https://www.prodigycamp.org/innovator
Carolyn He, Age 18, USA
A data-driven changemaker, Carolyn uses statistics to drive environmental action. As a NJ Governor STEM Scholar and Environmental Excellence Awardee, she has championed legislative initiatives and led sustainability efforts nationwide. Her venture, Plushees, transforms discarded t-shirts into plush toys, reducing landfill waste while bringing comfort to children in need.
Through her nonprofit, A Sustainable Future, she has saved over 2 million sheets of paper and trained 100,000 students in eco-advocacy. She’s conducted wildfire research with NASA, interned at Virginia Tech and the US Department of Education, and spoken at COP28 and the UN. Carolyn is committed to making climate solutions accessible, fostering inclusive activism, and empowering others to create lasting change.
Jackson Cowan Age 15, Singapore
A driven athlete and digital creator, Jackson balanced extensive travels with rigorous basketball training to achieve his goal of making the varsity team as a freshman(grade 9). Inspired by his dad’s knack for storytelling and Mark Rober’s inventive spirit, he built a robust social media following with over 100,000 fans by sharing his day-to-day workouts and personal challenges. Jackson’s warm, personable style resonates with younger players and peers alike. Now, he aims to use his platform to empower underprivileged youth through camps, donations, and motivational outreach.
Orion Jean, Age 14, USA
Inspired by his entrepreneurial parents, Orion has channeled his passion for making a difference into Race to Kindness, an organization he founded at just 10 years old. Since then, he has led fundraising efforts, community engagement initiatives, and social media campaigns to uplift underrepresented communities.
His journey reached new heights when he won TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year, a moment he celebrated with his family in New York—an experience that fueled his love for travel and exploration. Now, Orion is developing an app that tracks acts of kindness, incentivizing users to give back. With a heart for social impact and a sharp business mind, he’s on a mission to make kindness contagious.
Lilah McDonald, Age 14, New Zealand
A creative up-cycler with a global outlook, Lilah’s happiest moments include exploring her family’s new home in Italy, an experience that left her with a profound sense of wanderlust and possibility. She founded Water Us, selling bamboo toilet paper to fund public drinking fountains, reflecting her early passion for sustainable entrepreneurship. Always seeking to breathe new life into old items, Lilah’s next venture is Circulah, a circular fashion brand turning donated or unwanted fabrics into one-of-a-kind pieces. She brings a fearless can-do spirit, seeing opportunities where others see waste. Lilah also hosts a podcast focused on sustainability in business, called Sustainably Ever After, where she interviews entrepreneurs making waves in the world of sustainability.
Lila Mokhtari, Age 17, USA
A purpose-driven entrepreneur, Lila’s passion for conservation began with a childhood mission to protect rhinos, inspired by her father’s work with National Geographic. She turned that passion into action, fundraising for wildlife protection and ultimately fulfilling her dream of seeing a wild rhino in Africa.
Now, as the founder of Maji, she’s revolutionizing hygiene habits with motivational soap—bar soaps with collectible toys inside that make handwashing fun for kids. With over $19,000 raised for clean water initiatives, Maji empowers both children and women affected by water scarcity. Featured in Forbes and a TEDx speaker, Lila is dedicated to impact-driven entrepreneurship, proving that businesses can create both profit and purpose.
Elijah Richardson, Age 12, Australia
An adventurous ocean advocate with a deep fascination for marine life, Elijah recalls swimming alongside lemon sharks and stingrays at Heron Island as one of his most awe-inspiring memories. As an ambassador for CoralWatch and Tangaroa Blue, he’s driven by a David Attenborough-like vision: to create documentaries that spark wonder and motivate people to protect the oceans. With a natural gift for teaching and storytelling, Elijah is determined to translate his love for marine ecosystems into a global movement for conservation.
Justin Sather, Age 14, United States
An imaginative builder and budding inventor, Justin sees limitless potential in combining engineering, art, and the environment. His favorite inspirations include Mark Rober and Jane Goodall, both of whom fuel his belief in using hands-on problem-solving to tackle global issues starting with frog conservation—as frogs are a litmus test for the earth’s environmental health. He co-develops urban frog habitats and plans to scale his passion through Recreate World, a nonprofit that champions nature-friendly inventions. Justin’s boundless curiosity, combined with his knack for thinking outside the box, makes him an energizing force in the youth sustainability movement.
Nivedita Suri, Age 17, India
A storyteller and innovator who blends art, comedy, and psychology, Nivedita is inspired by Steve Harvey’s resilience and has launched her own school comedy club. She’s authored everything from children’s mental health books to cookbooks that explore the emotional aspects of food, recognized by local media and even a Member of Parliament. With ventures like Translexia, dyslexia-friendly textbooks and Carry Your Durohar which preserves cultural skills, she channels her empathetic, curious nature into practical tools that uplift communities. Her gift for weaving humor and heart into her projects sets her apart as a true social entrepreneur.