Tonnette Graham is in the IB program at Rickards High School. Pretty and poised, the 16-year-old plans to go to Harvard and Johns Hopkins and become a pediatrician.

Not bad for a girl who was lucky to survive her first month of life.

"My parents were told that I was going to be Down syndrome and there was a chance that I wouldn't make it," said Tonnette, born two months early at 2.2 pounds. "They were prepared for the worst."

Tonnette's career goal — like her reason for stepping up as president of the March of Dimes' teen-outreach group Chain Reaction Leadership Council — is simple:

"This is my way of giving back. I consider myself lucky because so many children don't make it when they are premature."

She says people her age need to get educated and take better care of themselves now to help turn the tide of increasing preterm birth rates.

"There is really not much awareness at school," she said.

She hopes the teen council can find innovative ways to reach young people, such as parties and contests to see who can eat the most foods rich in folic acid.

Mostly, though, Tonnette wants to stand as an example of hope.

"I think I look at life differently now," she said. "It's a blessing to be alive."