JA 18 Under 18 2025
JORDANA DOPKIN
Growing up with severe food allergies is not easy. No one knows this better than Jordana. Drawing on her own experience, she helped found the Teen Food Allergy Network (FARE) chapter at her school, McDonogh, where she’s in the 11th grade. Now the vice president, the organization advocates for children with allergies through community education and activities.
She is a member of FARE’s Teen Advisory Group. She’s also vice president of the Baltimore Chapter of Becca’s Closet, which helps those in need to obtain prom dresses. She’s raised more than $2,000 for the organization and helps organize events to give out dresses in time for the big event. Whether giving her time at a senior center, making blankets for BARCS, packing food kits for kids living with food insecurity through Weekend Backpacks, or working as an election judge, Jordana is always active in her community.
“Jordana’s leadership style is diligent and humble…[she] is warm and leads through example as one of the hardest workers and is committed through consistency.”
—Henry Min, nominator