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Bermuda Run Mayor Mike Brannon said it best as he described Davie’s newest Ambassadors of Respect.

“Too often we hear the negative stories of young adults and the things they should or should not be doing. It’s so encouraging to be able to show the positive side of what these special individuals are doing to make a difference in the lives of others”.

He introduced two young people who are making a difference in the lives of others.

“I have always been observant and if I see something that needs doing or changing, I look for the solution,”  said Ava Brown. She said that two years ago at age 13. She had observed in many of her classes that there were interruptions because students had forgotten their pencils. The teacher had to stop and find them a pencil, which Ava learned were frequently paid for by the teacher along with other school supplies.

Ava’s Davie Respect Initiative (DRI) project was called “Pencils for Peers,” and she collected more than 21,000 pencils which she donated to elementary and middle schools in Davie County.   Ava was awarded $1,000 for this idea.

Fast forward to 2024.

In March, the Ambassadors of Respect (AoRs) hosted a bingo game at Somerset Court Assisted Living. Ava connected with an old friend who she had not seen in years.

Mary Anne used to be a waitress at Miller’s and was her favorite waitress and became a good friend to the family. Once they reconnected, Ava and her mother would visit Mary Anne and one day they brought her an orchid.  Mary Anne just lit up, Ava said.

Ava loves flowers and this gave her the idea for “Blooms of Hope.”  Mason jars have already been collected and Ava plans on making small arrangements with a note and or a prayer with each arrangement.

“Some residents long for a sense of appreciation, that someone cares and sees them, thinks about them, and prays upon their well-being and happiness,” she said.

Ava has always had a passion for flowers and flower arranging. “My project will hopefully inspire others to take something they love and put it to good use to make someone’s day.”

• Charlotte Anderson has also observed a situation and come up with a positive solution.

She has been a mountain biker for many years. She has noticed that park restrooms are often far from the trailheads. Charlotte decided to build a changing stall at Salisbury Community Park.

“I wanted to provide a safe space for bikers and hikers to change in and out of athletic wear,” she said.  It took more than 80 hours of planning, journaling, collaborating and building, for which Charlotte also earned her Girl Scout Gold Award.

The final product was a functioning wooden stall with a roof, lockable door, bench, and clothing hook.

DRI awards projects that increase or enhance respect in Davie County and while this was built in Salisbury, many bikers including a group called, “Pink Dirt,” and hikers from Davie utilize this park and will benefit from this changing station.

“This project is also dedicated to inspiring others to upkeep their community and encourage the youth to come together to address things that need to be fixed or improved.”    

Mayor Brannon continued:

“As I look at our award recipients, Charlotte Anderson and Ava Brown, I am reminded that these young ladies represent our future leaders. Not only do they bring a positive spirit—a light of hope for all of us—they are also showing to other youth a path forward as well.”

Do You know a young person between 12-21 who has a good idea to bring out even more respect in Davie County? Nominate them or have them fill out an application at www.davierespect.com. Applications are reviewed by a volunteer selection panel. Up to three are selected each quarter to receive $1,000 for their idea or a project already in motion.  Those selected become Ambassadors of Respect (AoR) for Davie County.  All of the AoR’s have additional opportunities.