Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation’s best young world-changers, 25 and under*. Do Something Award nominees and winners represent the pivotal “do-ers” in their field, cause, or issue.

The five finalists appeared on the Do Something Awards on VH1. They were rewarded with a community grant, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org.

This awards show isn’t about who wore it best or which movie made us laugh the hardest. It featured these 5 finalists making social change. And Katia Gomez, the grand prize winner, walked away with $100,000 for her project. The remaining four finalists each received a $10,000 grant.

Katia Gomez is 24 and from San Leandro, California.  Katia grew up in a single parent home where her mother always found time and money for Katia’s education. While on a volunteer trip to Honduras, the third poorest country in Latin America, Katia saw the effects of a young population in extreme poverty, where almost half of the population is 16 years and younger and over half of all Honduras survive on only $2 a day. Katia took her own passion for education and created Educate2Envision to provide education for youth of Honduras, and show the opportunities that education can bring. Educate2Envision is working in three remote communities in Honduras where she has brought secondary education to over 450 students.

Celebrities were also honored for their charity work and star presenters included:

• Kristin Bell
• John Cho
• Olivia Munn
• Will Ferrell
• Harry Shum, Jr.

Celebs and finalists went home with a “shoe” for winning in their perspective cause categories. You can get your own celeb-designed sneaker pic at the Do Something Awards Art Auction. Bidding is open until Sept. 6th.

You can be a part of next year’s action! Submissions for the 2013 Do Something Awards will open December 1, 2012. Check out our 2012 finalists for some inspiration.