The Best and The Brightest of 2026
Josephine
Hoskins
Age 16
Sophomore
Maricopa High School
Maricopa
"It’s important to figure out who you are and how you can help and together we can make the world a better place." - Josephine Hoskins
Josephine Hoskins is a dynamic young leader, entrepreneur, and advocate whose passion for service and inclusion has made a lasting impact across Arizona and beyond. As the founder of Jojo’s Love, she’s dedicated to teaching youth compassion and respect, Josephine has transformed her vision into a powerful platform for change. Through Jojo’s Love, she has spoken in more than 50 classrooms, reaching over 1,300 students with lessons on empathy, inclusivity, and understanding individuals of all abilities. By combining storytelling, interactive worksheets, and hands-on activities, she empowers children in grades K–8 to build meaningful respect for others. Her upcoming coloring book will further expand this mission, helping young students better understand and connect with differently-abled peers.
Josephine’s platform goes beyond education—it actively gives back to the community. She has mobilized more than 100 peers to participate in service initiatives, including hosting inclusive events for children with life-threatening illnesses, feeding over 150 individuals experiencing homelessness on a weekly basis, packing more than 1,800 care packages for deployed soldiers, and supporting over 1,500 children facing food insecurity each year. Her work consistently reflects her commitment to creating a more compassionate and inclusive world.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Josephine demonstrates exceptional leadership both in school and in her community. At school, she serves as president of the yearbook club, where she has increased membership and fostered a more engaged team environment. She is also an active member of the drama club and the National Honor Society, all while taking college-level courses as a sophomore!
Josephine serves on the Governor’s Youth Commission and is an officer on the City of Maricopa Youth Council, where she contributes to initiatives that support youth development and community growth. She is also deeply involved in restorative justice through Teen Court, where she helps hear and adjudicate cases involving teen offenders—demonstrating maturity, fairness, and a commitment to second chances. Through these roles, she is not only a voice for her peers but an active participant in shaping a stronger, more supportive community.
Josephine’s dedication to service is evident in the more than 500 hours she has volunteered over the past two years. Her involvement with STEM initiatives also highlights her passion for education, as she inspires younger students, especially girls, to explore careers in science and engineering.
She was also named Miss Arizona High School America 2025 and says she developed exceptional public speaking and leadership skills, using her platform to amplify her message of kindness and inclusion on a global stage.






