Amanda Green has devoted herself to two main service projects during her high school career, Morgan’s Message and Best Buddies.

Morgan’s Message is a national program founded in memory of Morgan Rogers, a Duke University lacrosse player who committed suicide in 2019 at age 22 after facing mental health struggles alone without seeking help or telling anyone. The program’s goal is to normalize mental health conversations and encourage active support for those who reach out for help.

Morgan’s Message assures students, especially student athletes, that it’s okay to talk about anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It encourages them not to feel ashamed, to talk to others such as friends, teammates, family, and school counselors, or to reach out for help through hotlines.

Amanda became active in Morgan’s Message in her sophomore year when her older sister, a fellow lacrosse player, founded the club. Due to the pandemic, her sister could only lay the foundation. When her sister graduated, Amanda stepped up to develop the club into a full, vibrant program. At Herndon High, the main event for Morgan’s Message is called Dedication Games. In the spring, at team home games for lacrosse, softball, and baseball, the fields were decorated with butterflies, which is Morgan Message’s symbol. Prior to the games, flyers were distributed and Amanda, as club president, gave a pregame speech encouraging students to support each other and seek help when they’re struggling. During the school year, the club met for various activities such as writing inspirational messages on paper butterflies to put up around the school. As her school counselor writes, Amanda has “spearheaded numerous events to bring positivity and awareness (about mental health issues) to the entire school.”

Amanda also been active since her freshman year in Best Buddies, a global program assisting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a Best Buddy, she works one-on-one as a friend with a disabled student, both informally and during group activities organized by the club, such as bowling, fall festivals, and homecoming. Amanda is currently club president, after serving as outreach coordinator her junior year.

In addition to her leadership role in service clubs, Amanda also makes important, more informal contributions to peace. As her school counselor writes, “Creating a positive, welcoming atmosphere is second nature to Amanda. For example, at the beginning of this year, she volunteered at an event for freshmen and new students. I introduced her to an exchange student visiting from Norway. Several hours later, I passed the two of them in the hallway with a group of students, all with smiles on their faces. Amanda made him fit in instantly and she convinced him to join the cross-country team as well. This example is typical of Amanda; she can create strong and easy connections with everyone around her. Amanda stands out among her peers.”