Abby Horton, a rising senior at OCHS, started Oglethorpe Gives Back, an organization she said will recognize people who work hard throughout Oglethorpe County. She said it’s a “thank you for keeping our community safe.” (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)
When faced with the realization that many people go unrecognized, Abby Horton decided that the hidden heroes of Oglethorpe County deserve recognition.
That thought came when she attended the strategic planning meeting for Oglethorpe County School System in May. She realized that her fellow classmates who were in on-level courses, received less recognition than honor students.
“I just felt like the honors and AP just got so much attention,” she said. “On level people, they work equally as hard, if not harder, but they just get unnoticed.”
So the rising senior at OCHS started Oglethorpe Gives Back, a non-profit that is dedicated to recognizing unsung workers throughout Oglethorpe County.
“I’m just wanting to give a thank you to all the people who’ve worked very hard in our community that don’t necessarily get the recognition that they deserve,” Horton said.
Horton brought in Andy Nguyen, a fellow rising senior, who is passionate about the possibility to give back to his community.
“I try to get involved whenever I can,” he said. “I’m pretty excited for this. It’s not often you see people from Oglethorpe that start nonprofits.”
The organization plans to hold several events to help fundraise for underserved organizations, which will be featured on the Oglethorpe Gives Back Facebook page. Life coach Williamson Sintyl and Josh Robayo, a co-owner of Town and Country Kafe, are also part of the effort.
“She had the whole thing planned,” Sintyl said. “I was there just to tell her you can do it.”
Horton is no stranger to helping her community.
She’s a member of the National Honor Society, HOSA, the vice president for Beta Club and “loves” to volunteer. Horton hopes to attend the University of Georgia and become a doctor.
“She’s really come into her own,” said Eric Schmidt, Horton’s former AP U.S. History teacher.
Sintyl said Horton is trying to recognize those hidden heroes, which could include firefighters, police officers, teachers and other “change makers.”
“I just feel like they don’t get recognized as they should,” Horton said. “And it’s just like a thank you for keeping our community safe.”