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After founding the nonprofit Girlz Rize as a 13-year-old, Andrea-Rose Oates organized a book drive, collecting and donating more than 100 books to her local YMCA. But as an eighth-grader, she worried the children she was helping might prefer toys over a book.

To her surprise, the children treated her like she was Santa Claus. From the entire experience, Oates recalled one moment in particular: a 7-year-old boy beaming at her with excitement and telling her he had never owned a book before.

“In that moment, that’s when I knew that I wanted to keep doing that work,” Oates said.

Oates, a junior at Syracuse University double majoring in public relations and policy studies on the pre-law track, has dedicated herself to serving others. In January, she was named the student winner of the Unsung Hero Award, which honors those who make a positive impact on their community without widespread recognition.

Her close friend, Diya Gupta, who nominated Oates, entered her into the pool on a whim. Oates appreciated the gesture but never expected it to lead anywhere. She wasn’t sure how the selection process worked and recalled thinking she wouldn’t be chosen after one of her sorority sisters won the award last year.

“I’ve always known her to be one of the most high-achieving people I know and have the privilege of having in my life,” Gupta said. “And I just really am proud of her, she deserves such awards and recognition.”

The awards honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s mission to create positive change in the world. The award committee, consisting of Hendricks Chapel Dean Brian Konkol, Student Co-Chair Ryan Nkongnyu and 24 committee members, recognized Oates for her dedication to community service. The committee highlighted her work with Girlz Rize, SU’s Black Student Union, Women in Communications and Hill Communications, and her leadership as president of the Iota Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Oates said she grew up surrounded by AKA women and knew she was destined to join as a college student. She became a member in spring 2023, joining her mother and aunts as sorority sisters.

“It was never a question of if but when,” Oates said. “Stepping into the role of being president, it’s been an absolute honor and a privilege, but it’s also just opened me up to even more opportunities for me to serve my community and serve the nation as well.”

AKA’s motto is “service to all mankind,” which Oates said she and her sisters exemplify through frequent volunteer trips to the Young Women’s Christian Association of Syracuse & Onondaga County and participating in “Sandwich Saturday” at We Rise Above The Streets.

On Saturday, she also won the title of Royal International Miss Pennsylvania. She’ll now spend a year-long reign focused on continuing her community service. Oates said she plans to represent her home state at the Royal International Miss competition in July.

She credits her discipline and love of service to her time in beauty pageants, saying the years of competition helped shape her work ethic and commitment to giving back.

Oates’ mother, Evelyn Sample-Oates, said Andrea wanted to start pageants in fifth grade after her friend competed in a New Jersey pageant.

“She has always been one to kind of take charge. She’s always been a leader. She’s always wanted to do more to help other people,” Sample-Oates said. “She realizes that not other people are as blessed as she is and always wants to do something to help.”

Even after winning the title over the weekend, she said Oates isn’t one to brag. Gupta said you’d never know Oates competed in pageants for as long as she has just by talking to her. A Philadelphia native, Oates thought people were congratulating her on Monday for the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl win, not her own victory.

Oates said participating in pageants allowed her to raise awareness about Girlz Rize, the nonprofit organization she founded. Girlz Rize aims to empower girls to love learning through literacy programs and donations.

Her mother recalled how Oates learned about Malala Yousafzai, an education activist fighting for Pakistani children’s rights in a global movement. According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, over 129 million girls worldwide are denied an education. Oates said the statistic is “highly disturbing” and fuels her motivation to advocate for young girls globally.

“She said, ‘Why would they try and kill her because she wants to get an education?’” Evelyn Sample-Oates said. “So she just took it upon herself to start this, Girlz Rize, to say women can rise. Girls can rise and do anything that they want.”

With Girlz Rize, Oates visits YMCAs across the Philadelphia area to speak to girls about the importance of education and encourage them to get excited about learning. One program she created, “Reading Stars,” helps young girls cultivate a love of books and reading.

Oates said she’s reached girls from Pennsylvania to South Africa and she works to donate books and clothes while empowering them to pursue their education with confidence.

“As someone who was very fortunate enough to grow up going to private school and top-tier institutions like Syracuse University, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Oates said. “But the fact that another young woman my age, halfway across the world, or even younger than me, is simply subjected to housework for the rest of her life or learning and training to be a mother really broke my heart.”

Sample-Oates said she’s immensely proud of Oates and seeing all that she has accomplished reassures her she did a good job raising her. She added that being raised in the church also played a significant role in shaping Oates’ values.

Oates said her upbringing continues to play a pivotal role in her dedication to service and education. She credits her family for instilling the values of hard work, resilience and the importance of giving back.

“I’ve always loved to do community service ever since I was a little girl,” Oates said. “My parents always instilled the belief in me to give back to communities that have given so much to you, and that’s always simply what I’ve loved to do.”

After graduation, Oates plans to attend law school and hopes to become an attorney. Aside from her passion for service, her favorite movie, Legally Blonde, initially prompted that dream as a child.

Sample-Oates emphasized her daughter’s love for SU, saying she immediately knew it was the place for her after stepping onto campus. Even though they visited during a snowstorm, something about the campus made it feel like home to Oates.

“I know that when I leave this earth or when she gets out of college, she’s going to be okay. She’s going to be able to take care of herself,” Sample-Oates said. “She’s going to be able to change some things in this world, and she doesn’t need us to do it. She’s listened, she’s learned and now she’s ready to go off and change this world.”

Published on February 13, 2025 at 2:07 am

Contact Delia: dsrangel@syr.edu