Emma Rider

Like many others, Emma's passion was formed by witnessing first-hand the unsafe conditions in the third world. While many of us in the United States take clean water for granted, Emma came to understand that elsewhere in the world, a child dies every 10 seconds from waterborne illnesses. She founded Quenching Soles to support Water Step International, which distributes water chlorinators to developing nations. Over a four-month period, Emma coordinated 20 groups of individuals to collect and ship 8,000 pairs of shoes to be exported to cover the cost of the devices. Later, she was able to lead a mission trip to Kenya to help install three chlorinators. Back at home, Emma is a battalion commander for the Army JROTC, drill team captain, and president of the 4H and Future Farmers of America clubs. Emma hails from Milton, Del., and plans to attend North Carolina State University in the fall, where she will study horticulture.