When Rafia Chodhry made up her mind to make an impact in her community, she did what any self-respecting teenage girl would do: she picked up the phone. Chodhry, a National Honor Society student at Miramar High School, visualized many children receiving toys. So she called friends and friends of friends and boldly called on Toys ‘R’ Us to organize a toy drive for disadvantaged children. In three weeks, Rafia and her friends gathered 500 toys.

Chodhry was one of 25 youth chosen to attend the A.M.P.S. Institute held at the Holiday Inn at Sunrise Boulevard on Fort Lauderdale beach, May 21-23. A.M.P.S., or Advanced Minds Pursuing Success. James Amps, President of AMPS International hosted the 3-day program designed to teach hands-on entrepreneurship and leadership skills to teens.

The event was co-sponsored by the InternetCoast, Citrix, Sean John, Lockheed-Martin, RISE Education Consultants, the Genius Project, Score High Services, North Broward Hospital District, the Florida Marlins, the Miami Dolphins, and Burger King.