At 17, Heather Hedges-Pegler is a star player for her Regional and State Youth Advisory Boards; she attends every meeting and helps other youth with advice and activities. Her teachers at school also look to her as a star player, being always friendly and helpful. At church, the pastor can count on her to keep the plants watered weekly and the elderly attended to. And now, Heather could be a star player in the face of tragedy as she has received Community Emergency Response Training through FEMA.

She was the first teenager in the county to complete that training. Having spoken to a panel of case managers about her life in foster care, Heather remains upbeat and friendly. Her positive attitude was not always easy to come by though. She entered care at eight years old and has been in seven different foster homes, and endured a failed adoption. Heather wants to graduate high school and go to college to become a special education teacher. She enjoys working with children and wants to make a difference for her community and it looks like she already does!

State(s)
Team(s) or Cohort(s)
2012 Outstanding Young Leaders
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