2025 IDA-GA Teen Board

The IDA-GA Teen Board is a group of high school students dedicated to educating the public about dyslexia throughout the state of Georgia. To learn more, visit the Teen Board website (created January 2026) to learn more about the 2026 Teen Board.

CONGRATULATIONS to Teen Board Members Max and Anslem Bell and Kenzie Leonard, who have been named by Atlanta Intown Magazine as two of the 20 youth under 20 years old who have “gone over and above in bringing positivity to their community.”  Read pages 3 and 11 in the 20 Under 20 section of the January 2026 Atlanta Intown publication to learn more about their community projects. 1/6/26 

The 2025 Teen Board in Action

Brennan and Payton West hosted storytime at The Bookshelf in Thomasville on October 4, 2025 in celebration of Dyslexia Awareness Month. They read Brilliant Bea, an inspirational story about a girl with dyslexia. Consider talking with your local bookstore or library about doing somethng similar this month. Learn more about this event and the book at https://ga.dyslexiaida.org/event/storytime-thomasville/

2025 Teen Board Members came out in big numbers to lend a helping hand at the Dyslexia Dash on October 18. Teen Scout Layne Huey and other volunteers captured joy-filled moments and handed out fun shout-out tokens throughout the morning. Participants were spotted for their spirit, spark, or sense of style! If you received a token, let us know! We want to be sure your picture is included in our Race Day video recap!

Our 2025 Teen Board had the opportunity to participate in the 2025 IDA National Conference at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Atlanta.

During the Opening Session and during transition times, their “Voices” video was shown.  

Representatives from our Teen Board also presented at the conference on Saturday morning, October 25. The IDA-GA Teen Panel Discussion offered a unique opportunity to hear from students who are directly impacted by dyslexia.  These teens serve on the IDA-GA Teen Board and work throughout the year to spread awareness of dyslexia.  They were asked questions about the actions teachers and parents can take to facilitate learning.  They also discussed their strengths and challenges and the impact dyslexia has had on them, both positive and negative.  The recording will be available in November 2025. Don’t miss this chance to hear from these impressive young minds – they will provide you with tips and ideas for improving the lives of the dyslexic students you strive to support.

IDA-GA Teen Board Voices video shared during the Opening Ceremony at the 2025 IDA Reading, Literacy & Learning Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Abby reflects on her journey with dyslexia—its challenges, turning points, and the supportive community that helped her grow.

Tess shares insights about what dyslexia really is — and what it isn’t.

Bray shares a message for parents, reflecting on what helped him most—early intervention, consistent support, encouragement based on effort (not outcomes), and allowing students to take ownership of their learning journey.

Arianna shares 5 facts she believes everyone should know about dyslexia.

Conversations with Kenzie: Transitioning from High School to College 

Hi! I’m Kenzie Leonard, and welcome to the IDA College Q&A series. Here, we explore tools to help navigate the transition from high school to college for students with learning disabilities. I created this project after struggling to find information on how accommodations, testing, and accessible services differ in higher educational environments. Stay tuned for more exciting interviews about navigating college life and the application process as a student with a learning disability. 

IDA College Q&A: 
Erin Benson, Director of Accessibility & Testing, University of Georgia
Robyn Painter, Attorney with 20+ years in Education Law
Mandy Buckalew, Director of SKILL Academic Coaching at Auburn University
Dr. Jennifer Jordan, Associate VP of Student Affairs, University of West GA
Daniel Linden, Director of Student Support Services, University of Arizona SALT Center 

Teen Board Member Finnegan Gawley is the host of Teen Talk Conversations. Finn talks with other IDA-GA Board Members about their interests, hobbies, and passions. Listen and be inspired.  Episode 1 is now available on the IDA-GA YouTube Channel. 

Stay tuned for more updates about the amazing work this group is doing to further their mission and the mission of IDA Georgia! 

Our 2025 Teen Board 
Aadi Jain, Suwanee, Lambert High School • Ann Lane Rue, Columbus, Brookstone School • Arianna Hopkins, Dallas, North Paulding High School • Ava Salter, Marietta, Marietta High School • Bray Holcomb, Cumming, West Forsyth High School • Brennan West, Thomasville, Thomasville Middle School • Caleb Cambell, Atlanta, Mt. Vernon School • Callie Letbetter, Atlanta, Mount Vernon School • Carolina Greider, Fulton County, North Atlanta High School • Carrington Manous, Atlanta, Woodward Academy • Claire Marbach, Marietta, Pope High School • Dylan Kate Simontacchi, Buckhead, Mount Vernon School • Ellery Wang, Roswell, Blessed Trinity Catholic High School • Emily Thompson, Dunwoody, Mount Vernon School • Finn Manuel, Marietta, The Walker School • Finn McCarthy, Smyrna, Campbell High School • Finnegan Gawley, Milton, King’s Ridge Christian School • Grace Gibson, Marietta, Saint Francis •Jack Lockett, Atlanta, Lovett School • Josie Archila, Dekalb, Lakeside High School • Karli Stemple, Atlanta, The Paideia School • Kenzie Leonard, Candler Park, The Paideia School • Kyler Smith, Smyrna, Mill Springs Academy • Layne Huey, Dekalb, Chamblee High School •Leighton Scott, Dunwoody, Mount Vernon School • Matthew Frank, Atlanta, Riverwood International Charter School • Max Bell, Atlanta, Westminster Schools • McCully Means, Peachtree Corners, Wesleyan School • Michael Buckley, Atlanta, Westminster Schools • Nate Santy, Morningside, Woodward Academy • Natalie Buck, Canton, Sequoyah High School • Payton West, Boston, Thomas County Central High School • Phia Calvo, Sandy Springs, Mount Vernon School • Sara Engler, Atlanta, The Weber School • Tess Glenn, Atlanta, Mount Vernon School

Team Captains: Anna Hollis, Arianna Hopkins, Bray Holcomb, Carolina Greider, Kenzie Leonard, Natalie Buck

Adult Project Advisors: Wendy Raynor and Janet Street (Co-chairs), Lindsay Stewart, Erin Lockett, Samantha Flowers, Kelly Kirkland, Ann Marie Lewis

Thank you, Arianna, for volunteering to be our 2024 Day-of Dyslexia Dash photographer. Arianna, a senior in high school, was invited to display her work at the Authors & Artists table at the Dyslexia Dash 2024. View here. 

Click HERE to access INFOGRAPHICS Created by IDA-GA Teen Board Members

Check out the projects of previous teen board members:

International Dyslexia Association Georgia YouTube Channel

• Teen Talk 2023 (April): How to Prepare for Exams 
• Kickoff to Dyslexia Awareness Month 2023 (September): Interview with artist/author/animator Ryan Sias about his fascinating career and his dyslexia.
• Thinking Differently: An Inside Look at Dyslexia – Thank you, Kahmara, for your dedication to working with IDA-GA throughout your senior year of high school and from that hard work, producing a truly valuable resource for IDA-GA to offer to the public. Learn about this project and watch the interviews at https://ga.dyslexiaida.org/thinking-differently-with-kahmara/
• Teen Board Member Kahmara interviews Teen Board Member Natalie.
• Teen Talk 2022 (August): Facing the Daunting: Navigating Middle and High School
  Learning how to stay organized, plan ahead, participate in group projects, and take tests can be daunting for any student, and it is especially important if you have learning challenges. The IDA Georgia Teen Board members discuss how they have successfully navigated these waters throughout their school journeys. 

For more information about the prior years’ IDA-GA Teen Board and their events and projects, click HERE.