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, United States
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, United States
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, United States
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.
Lily Li, Age 18, United States
Lily Li is a trailblazing young innovator passionate about sustainability and health equity. She founded Eco-Librium, a grassroots climate leadership campaign uniting entrepreneurs and activists across Beijing, Houston, and Monterey. A “Judges’ Favorite” at Startup Factory, Lily also created a prototype app to combat greenwashing and promote transparent, sustainable consumer choices. Inspired by her own experience with PCOS, she’s building a startup focused on adolescent gynecology, aiming to transform care for underserved communities. A graduate of the Leadership Institute: Climate Change in Costa Rica, Lily brings curiosity, empathy, and entrepreneurial drive to everything she does. This fall, she begins her studies at Stanford University.
Divisha Arora, Age 15, United States
Divisha Arora is a high school freshman from Washington with a passion for psychology, entrepreneurship, and human-centered storytelling. Known for her empathy and energy, she leads youth wellness initiatives, co-hosts educational conferences, and serves as director of education for student-led organizations focused on mental health and healthy living. A DECA and HOSA international qualifier and CTE Student of the Year, she blends business strategy with scientific inquiry to make complex topics accessible and engaging. In 2025–2026, she’ll serve on the Sammamish Youth Board, advocating for youth mental health and inclusive community programming. A creative at heart, Divisha also expresses herself through singing, writing, video content, and public service—building a future where innovation meets compassion.
Sacha Willans, Age 18, United Kingdom
Sacha believes that creativity is the most powerful way to connect with others—requiring vulnerability, honesty, and courage. Growing up between cultures and once finding peace on a remote island in Okinawa, Sacha dreams of building a company that positively impacts lives through education, healthcare, or climate solutions. With early entrepreneurial roots importing sports equipment from Alibaba to Amazon, Sacha is now focused on creating an AI-powered, personalized education app that feels like having a private tutor—possibly even taught by virtual versions of inspiring figures like Einstein. His vision is grounded in a deep desire to make quality education accessible for all.
Shreyan Amte, Age 12, United States
Inspired by the urgent challenges of global warming—from melting glaciers in Canada to shrinking ski seasons near Seattle—Shreyan dreams of building a “Breathing Car” that would remove CO₂ from the air and convert it into oxygen, helping to reduce our carbon footprint. A three-time award-winning member of his First Lego League robotics team, he’s no stranger to persistence, resilience, and thinking outside the box. His entrepreneurial spirit also shines through his initiative Brighter Tomorrow, a project he founded to collect and donate used school supplies to students in rural India. Whether mentoring friends on the ski slopes or pitching big ideas for a greener future, he brings heart, creativity, and action to every endeavor.
Alexander Livingstone, Age 13, Canada
Alexander is a thoughtful and driven 13-year-old changemaker who blends academic excellence, creativity, and purpose. A scholarship-winning student at St. George’s School, he’s developed strong time management, public speaking, and leadership skills through top academic performance and serving as a school ambassador. Alexander also built a skiing-themed YouTube channel, applying advanced design, editing, and storytelling to create structured, goal-driven content. His most meaningful project is the “100-Hour Kid” Challenge, which reframes privilege as responsibility. Through this initiative, he encourages teens to complete 100 hours of purposeful service before age 18—promoting empathy, resilience, and real-world growth as the new markers of leadership.
Nivedita Suri, Age 17, India
Due to visa issues and unable to attend in person, Nivedtia will be supported online through mentorship
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.