A Mandan High School senior is being celebrated as the North Dakota Petroleum Foundation’s Teen of the Week, honored for her dedication to community service, academic excellence, and uplifting peers — a story of resilience and leadership that speaks to communities from Bismarck to Bowling Green.

The ND Petroleum Foundation’s Teen of the Week program highlights young leaders across the state who demonstrate strong character, academic achievement, and meaningful contributions to their community.

This week’s recipient — a Mandan senior — has built a reputation for inspiring positivity in classrooms, leading volunteer projects, and pursuing future goals focused on helping others. Her recognition reflects North Dakota’s ongoing commitment to supporting student success, similar to youth leadership initiatives seen nationwide, including programs in Kentucky that invest in future community builders.

This honor is another example of how young leaders from small-town America are shaping their communities with big ambition, empathy, and service — whether in the Great Plains or the South.

“She leads not just through achievements, but through kindness and action. Her spirit and work ethic make her an incredible role model for students across the state,” said a representative from the North Dakota Petroleum Foundation in a statement.

This recognition proves that leadership isn’t just about titles — it’s about service, kindness, and showing up for your community. As students across North Dakota and even in communities like Bowling Green, KY look toward the future, stories like hers remind us that youth leadership continues to rise, shaping tomorrow’s world with empathy and purpose.