“Young people can make a real difference right now.”

Isaac Nelson said these words. The 13-year-old works to restore the coastal ecosystem ecosystem : community of plants, animals, and the environment near Florida’s historic Jupiter Lighthouse. For his work rebuilding habitat habitat : home; area where animals live for local plants and animals, Isaac was chosen as one of the 2026 winners of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The prize announced Isaac and the other winners on September 15.

Apollin Lu, a 17-year-old from Canada, won for her work fighting food waste and feeding people in need. Apollin founded the Food Recovery Alliance to rescue surplus surplus : supply of more than is needed food from farms and distribute it to shelters and community organizations in British Columbia. Apollin — who grew up on her family’s garlic farm — recruited recruited : got people to join a cause more than 140 young volunteers to help with this project. Together, they harvested nearly 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) of crops from 12 farms. The young leader and her team also built an app so farmers can get tax receipts the moment they donate food.

Kaitlyn Tran, a 17-year-old from Austin, Texas, was also named a winner. The young leader started a project called Rain Barrels for Runoff to keep water from carrying pollution into local waterways. With help from other volunteers, she collects used 55-gallon (208 L) drums from farms and restaurants, paints them, and sells them to people in the Austin area. So far, the rain barrels have kept 45,000 gallons (170,000 L) of rainwater from becoming runoff. The project has also raised more than $2,500 to support local environmental environmental : having to do with the planet and the environment programs.

Another Florida winner, 16-year-old Lucas Rojas, created LINKball: Kickball for ALL, a free league that brings teen volunteers together with athletes with special needs. Lucas started the program two years ago and works each year to make sure the kickball season is a success. That includes securing fields and equipment, providing uniforms, creating schedules, and recruiting volunteers. Lucas said, “Sometimes we stress the small details, but what people really need is for you to just show up as yourself, be present, and give of your heart.”

Other winning projects focused on advocating for childhood cancer research funding, supporting foster children, cleaning up beaches, and fighting air pollution.

T. A. Barron founded the prize in 2001 in honor of his mother, Gloria Barron. He said that his mother was a teacher who “never stopped believing in the power of every person to make the world a better place.” Each year, the prize recognizes 25 young leaders ages 8 to 18 from the United States and Canada. Fifteen top winners each receive $10,000 to support their service work or education.

“This year’s young heroes are caring for other people and protecting our environment with such courage, compassion, and commitment,” said T. A. Barron. “They remind us of the power we each hold to make a difference — and they offer us great hope.”


By Diana Richard
Updated September 16, 2026, 5:00 P.M. (ET)