Checotah High School senior Ridge Howell was honored Tuesday at the White House as part of the "Champions of Change" initiative that recognizes exceptional ways students are helping in their communities. The 17-year-old Howell organized a free lawn mowing service for senior citizens and also spearheaded a community garden that provides produce to seniors. "I love working with seniors," he said during the ceremony. "I feel I can learn most from those who have already experienced so much themselves and hopefully by hanging around them and helping them I can gather something that might help me in my later life." Howell is president of the Checotah FFA chapter.