18 Under 18 Honoree: Ariel Raggs
Jewish Atlanta 2020's 18 Under 18 Honoree: Ariel Raggs, 16, Chamblee Charter High School
Ariel is poised to be a leader for Jewish diversity and inclusion advocacy around Atlanta and nationally. Because her sister has severe cerebral palsy, she is passionate about ensuring all synagogues and Jewish communal spaces are accommodating and handicapped accessible to those with special needs. Additionally, she recently spoke in Atlanta’s first Jews of Color Field Building Initiative. As a teen panelist, she implored the need for better welcoming of Jews of different ethnicities. She promoted tolerance, appreciation, empathy and respect for all Jews, regardless of race. In addition to being in the gifted program at Chamblee for the last two years, Ariel has worked as a madricha at Congregation B’nai Torah’s religious school, and she tutors German to middle school students. She plans to attend law school in the future to become an attorney so that she can continue advocating for people like her sister who often are unable to have a voice for themselves. Ariel is passionate about the political process. In 2017-19, she volunteered on the political campaigns of candidates such as Stacey Adams, Lucy McBath, Mike Wilensky, Sally Harrell and John Eaves. During the Maccabbi Games, she broke four meet track and field records, and made history by being the first athlete to ever take home an unprecedented nine medals.
In 2019, Ariel traveled to Washington D.C., as a member of the American Jewish Committee’s Leaders For Tomorrow to meet diplomats and lobby against anti-Semitism.
Activities and Awards:
International Culture Club member
Women’s Political Club member
Debate Team
Mock Trial Team
German Club
Jewish Student Union member
JumpSpark’s Strong Women Fellowship cohort, member, 2019-20
Chamblee Charter High School’s track and field team captain
5A Regional Champion in the 300-meter hurdles, 2019
Most Valuable Athlete award winner, 2019
Macabbi Games track and field team captain, 2019
Camp Ramah Darom Gesher Banner Captain, 2019
J-Serve participant, 2017-19
Friendship Circle volunteer, 2016-17
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