The Altamont School
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations recently honored graduating Altamont School senior Eden Moody for her work to advance racial equity. She is among more than 2,000 U.S. high school students who, through action and service, have demonstrated leadership in advancing racial equity or promoting racial understanding in their schools and communities. “We continue to learn and gain hope from these young leaders as they advocate for and amplify the voices and lives of those who have been marginalized,” award organizers wrote in their announcement of the honors.
Eden distinguished herself in numerous community leadership positions, including her tenure as president of the Youth Philanthropy Council and secretary of GirlSpring, a national platform that amplifies the voices of girls. Working in Altamont’s C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Center, she developed a self-love curriculum specifically tailored for young Black girls and published as Bold, Black, and Beautiful: 12-Month Guided Affirmation Journal, filled with powerful affirmations and thoughtful prompts that encourage confidence, self-love, and pride in one’s identity.
Early in her life, Eden observed—and experienced—that young Black girls often face a lack of representation, which creates self-esteem issues. Her affirmation journal aims to raise young Black girls’ self-esteem, allowing them to say and live out affirmations that have been written by someone who looks like them. She also led a small group of girls in her community, engaging them in conversations about their lives and troubles. She plans to continue her advocacy work in college and pass on her small group to another Altamont student. She is considering creating a nonprofit organization dedicated to the cause.
The Princeton Prize is the second recent honor for Eden. The Youth Serve organization presented her with its Youth in Service Award for Advocacy after her selection by a panel of judges amongst her peers in the Birmingham metro area.
“Eden Moody is a powerful example of what it means to lead with purpose,” says Beth Dille, Director of Altamont’s C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Center. “Through her work in the Miree Center and the publication of her book, she is reaching hearts both locally and globally. It is only fitting that her impact has been recognized with the prestigious honor of the 2026 Princeton Prize in Race Relations for the state of Alabama.”
The Altamont School is one of the nation’s premiere coeducational independent schools for students in grades 5-12. For 50 years, its rigorous academic requirements, leadership education, athletic opportunities and personalized college search program have given students outstanding preparation for higher education and professional leadership. One-hundred percent of graduates are accepted into four-year colleges and universities.