Star Student Founded Mentoring Program For Teens With Down Syndrome

Milton, Georgia — Georgia is full of bright, driven young people making a difference in and out of the classroom. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight students excelling in academics, athletics and community service.

This submission comes from Keri Michaelis who nominated Nora of Georgia.

If you know a student who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured as a Star Student on Patch.

What is the star student’s name?

Nora

What grade is the student in?

11

How do you know the star student?

Child

Tell us about your star student's accomplishments and why they deserve to be recognized on Patch!

Nora founded a mentoring program for teens with Down syndrome called bEquals at GiGi's Playhouse Atlanta, which strives to improve social skills in a safe environment and also dissolve the stigma associated with working with students with disabilities.

She has expanded her program to Raleigh, NC and New York City and has plans to keep it growing at GiGi's Playhouse locations around the country. Nora is a straight A student, a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, and was named Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta's 2025 Unstoppable Girl Scout.

She is a double varsity athlete (cheerleading and dance team), an active participant in her school's Fine Arts program, and a Worship Band leader. Nora was named a 2025 Hershey Heartwarming Young Hero and a Citizen Honors Award Finalist by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the USA. She is also an active community volunteer with National Charity League, where she earned the President's Volunteer Service Award and the Merci Award for the most philanthropic service hours in the chapter two years in a row.

Nora led a team with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of the 2025 Student Visionaries of the Year campaign, and was the recipient of the Policy & Advocacy Award.

What three words best describe your star student?

kind, driven, amazing

Keep up the great work, Nora If you know an outstanding student who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch.

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