Nori Carter of St. Anne’s-Belfield School, Winner 2026

Driven by the belief that love is best expressed through tangible action, Nori has dedicated her high school career to community building and advocacy. At St. Anne’s, she founded the "Split’s Club," creating a vital support system for students navigating the complexities of parental divorce, separation, incarceration, or loss. A proficient Spanish speaker, she authored the children’s book Amigos del Océano, which she presented to the Discovery Children’s Museum to promote literacy and environmental awareness. When she identified a gap in accessibility for milestone celebrations, she collaborated with Mayor Juandiego Wade’s office to provide free senior portrait sessions to dozens of local students. Nori has engaged in extensive work in public policy.  She co-founded a local chapter of the Virginia Young Democrats, volunteered for the Spanberger campaign, and organized fundraising efforts to support the unhoused community. Nori plans to study public policy in college, aiming to ensure that every individual—regardless of background or language—has a permanent seat at the table.