ADDY BARRETT, MILES WORCESTER
and LONDON NAVARRO all committed
themselves to something they care about at a
young age. Washington FAMILY asked them for their
advice for other kids who might want to do the same:
Addy: “If kids realize that they really can do things,
they’ll be able to take off and do whatever they want. If you
find something that you’re really passionate about, I think
you should try to move forward with that. Don’t let an
opportunity slip away just because you think you’re too young.”
Miles: “Find something that interests you and try to find something
that supports that and help out that organization.”
London: “If somebody like me has something they love, they should
keep doing it. If it’s a sport, they can get into the Olympics. If it’s art, they
can make their own business one day. Find something to stay focused on,
and it will hopefully get you far in life.”
ADVICE TO OTHER PARENTS
While Addy, Miles and London have an incredible amount of
individual initiative, their successes have also been supported by
their parents.

If your child expresses a desire to make a difference, Addy’s
mom Sarah says, “You
can’t be too quick to
dismiss the concerns
and issues that your kids
bring to you about the world
because they have a reason to
be bringing those things (to you).

Let them really take the lead. There
are things that Addy has
wanted to do along the
way that I never would
have thought of because we
come at things from a different
perspective when we’re adults.”
Miles’ mother Renée explains the importance of raising your
child to give back: “Service, community and giving back leads to a
better image on what is around you. It can be turned into a great
educational opportunity to be able to give back in any area.”
If you think your child may be facing bullying or other
challenges, Addy’s mom Kim advises, “Parents need to pay
attention to their kids and read the signs to know if something
is going on. Sign them up for something to get their aggression
out. When you’re faced with those challenges, those children
need an outlet to let go of some of the aggression that has built
up from the bullying. Once they let that out, they have to learn
how to manage it.” n
“Remembering and honoring fallen veterans
is important because it can mean a lot to the
families of the veterans to know that their son
or daughter is always going to be remembered
and honored,” Miles says.

He reflected on his experiences laying
wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery.

“When the wreaths are there, you just kind of
feel proud that you helped do this. You know
that the families are going to be happy that you
did it,” Miles says.

Miles finds it important for young people to
find causes like this to commit themselves to.

“It’s important that kids are involved because
it’s going to bring it to the next generation,”
he says. “When I grow up, I know I’m going to
keep doing this and other things like this.”
His mom, Renée Worcester, wanted to raise
her child in the organization to develop his
sense of character. “Someone who gives back,
whether it’s with WAA or any other nonprofit,
is learning character that is really important
HONORING VETERANS
Miles Worcester has been involved in Wreaths for their everyday lives,” she says.

Across America (WAA) since he was born. His
grandfather, Morrill Worcester, founded the TURNING A FEAR
organization, which conducts wreath-laying INTO TRIUMPH
ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, Growing up, 13-year-old London Navarro
veterans’ cemeteries and other locations across of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and her brother
the country. The 13-year-old has grown up in the endured relentless physical bullying at school.

organization, traveling frequently to Arlington Their parents tried every solution they could
National Cemetery and other locations to lay consider until they found the one that worked:
wreaths and attend military funerals.

enrolling their kids in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

the Gorilla Gala and a donation drive for old
T-shirts which she makes into toys for gorillas.

Addy recently donated some of her handmade
toys to the gorillas at the Smithsonian’s
National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

“I try to make our fundraisers fun to get
kids involved and have them feel like they
can make a difference while also helping
gorillas,” Addy says.

Addy’s mom, Sarah Barrett, who has
provided support to Gorilla Heroes, has seen
through her daughter’s work how important it
is for young people to commit themselves to
causes that they believe in.

“Kids are discovering they can’t wait
until they’re adults to take action. They’re
really needing to step up now,” Sarah says.

“There is no reason to wait. You can make a
difference and educate the people around you
and beyond.”
12 Washington FAMILY DECEMBER 2021
Now a three-time jiu jitsu Youth Pan-American
world champion, London has gained more than
a way to defend herself against bullying. Jiu jitsu
has also helped London become more patient,
confident and disciplined. “I know that I am
stronger now and I’m more capable of doing
things independently,” she says. “I don’t allow
people to get to me mentally.”
London has made many sacrifices in her life
to commit herself to jiu jitsu. She practices six
times a week, waking up early on Saturdays
and turning down invitations to hang out
with friends.

But she says it’s all worth it to one day
achieve her goals of becoming an Olympic
athlete and jiu jitsu teacher. “I want to teach
kids how to defend themselves if they’re being
bullied or picked on,” London says.

London has a wall of medals hanging in
her room from all of the championships that
she has won. But Kim, her mom, says that
it’s the mental growth she has witnessed in
London that she finds most admirable. “She
was traumatized as a child being physically
bullied,” Kim says. “She turned a fear
into triumph.”
Addy, Miles and London might be young,
but age hasn’t stopped them from committing
themselves wholeheartedly to what they care
about most. Each has found something they
believe in and serves as remarkable examples
of all that kids are capable of achieving. n
DRAGONTIGER/ ISTOCK /GETTY IMAGES PLUS
ADVICE TO
OTHER KIDS