In this awards video, Jules Oringel shares her personal mission to impact those around her by applying lessons from school toward a meaningful career. She recounts her connection to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, describing how the loss of friends spurred her to act rather than remain a passive observer. Jules founded the nonprofit Return Home, selling school‑supply designs that spark conversation about gun‑violence and donate proceeds to gun‑safety groups such as Moms Demand Action. She describes traveling nationwide to speak to communities, lobby representatives, and mobilize grassroots activism. Jules expresses gratitude for the Johnson & Ziglar Youth Scholarship, outlines her future goals as a social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader, and adds a personal touch by mentioning her favorite ice‑cream flavor, Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy. The video concludes with thanks to Teen Health Connection and a promise to keep them updated on her upcoming initiatives.
Chapters
Everything I do in my life, I really aim to impact the people around me. I hope that what I learn in school and the lessons I take from my teachers, I'm able to use those to pursue a career that's meaningful and that can help others in need.
Jules is a She's the student that every teacher wants in their classroom or the teenager that every parent wants to be their child. She makes sure that people around her, like, feel included. And if we have, like, partner projects and group projects, like, the way that she pulls the people around her feels as though, okay, this kid has a problem right now, let me help them.
I knew about 2 dozen students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas who were there the day of the shooting. My 2 best friends from camp texted me saying, hey guys, there's an active shooter in our school. I love you. Don't forget me. And luckily those 2 made it out, but Alyssa Alhadaf, who goes to camp with us, was murdered in her English class next to one of my other good friends. I knew that sitting idly by watching the violence happen without actually doing something about it was going to haunt me for the rest of my life. So I became determined to make an impact. By selling school supplies with designs meant to spark educational conversations about this public health crisis, we are able to donate to leading gun safety organizations like Moms Demand Action. So since starting Return Home, I've been fortunate to travel around the country speaking to communities about My story and my connection to Parkland, as well as how they can get involved, both through lobbying their local and national representatives and becoming involved in grassroots activism.
I definitely think she's gonna change the world. I know that she's, you know, interested in like civic action and she's interested in politics. Like, I hope I can vote for her one day. That would be really awesome. I think that she does a really good job being a very successful but also just normal kid.
My favorite ice cream flavor is Ben& Jerry's Chocolate Therapy. That is very important. Please include that in the video. Right now, my goal is to become a social entrepreneur. I'm also interested in nonprofit work, which is why I'm so grateful for the Johnson& Ziglar Youth Scholarship. I think that anyone can be a leader if they're willing to dedicate themselves to it and remain passionate about whatever that is. Thank you so much, Teen Health Connection. I really appreciate this opportunity, and I can't wait to keep you updated on all the big things Things I do in the future.
