The Johannes Wilhelmus Van De Pol
2005 Outstanding Youth Award

ADRIAN SHANKER resides in Mt. Kisco, NY and attends Fox Lane High school. Fox Lane had diversity clubs before Mr. Shanker addressed one oversight. He is the co-founder and president of the Gay Alliance Club which promotes tolerance for same sex orientation. Mr. Shanker has been the catalyst for the student body to embrace students of all shapes, sizes, colors, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientation. His advocacy further inspired school administrators to amend the school district's policies to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation on the basis of sexual orientation and prompted the faculty to sponsor a safe school agenda in Albany. Mr. Shanker is a member of Conversations About Tolerance, Civility, and Humanity, and Youth in Action, clubs which explore diversity issues and social action initiatives respectively. .Mr. Shanker secured speakers who promote humanitarian ideals including Free the Children founder, and a survivor of the Rawandian genocide for the school's Wellness Day program. As a delegate to the North American Federation of Temple Youth Convention, he presented a resolution on bullying which was approved for distribution to schools and organizations nationwide. He is active in various youth groups at his temple as he finds connections between social causes and the teachings of Judaism.

Mr. Shanker is an individual who leads through service. He works to improve the human condition through awareness, advocacy, and action.