SPARK is an immersive six-week public service program for incoming first-year students that deepens community connections between home and Harvard. Students develop a public service project at home while receiving funding and ongoing support from Harvard staff, faculty, and student leaders.
SPARK was launched in 2019 as a call to action that creates greater awareness of public service pathways atHarvardCollege.
99 MEMBERS OF THE HARVARD CLASS OF 2028 ARE SPARK FELLOWS
7,920+ HOURS OF SERVICE DEDICATED BY SPARK FELLOWS TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS
WHAT IS PHILLIPS BROOKS HOUSE?
ThePhillipsBrooksHouseCenterforPublicService and Engaged Scholarship is the hub and department that provides support for all public service efforts at Harvard College. It is home to academic engagement through the Mindich Program in Engaged Scholarship, student leadership development programs, student professional development programs, and active citizenship efforts through volunteering in the GreaterBostoncommunity.
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MUHAMMAD ZOHAIB ABBAS
(HE/HIM)
Education USA
I plan to host sessions with high school students from my community who are planning to study in the United States and will be applying next fall. These sessions will highlight the significance of pursuing scientific adventures including Olympiads, Research Positions and passion projects in building an outstanding application. Through SPARK, under the mentorship of like-minded individuals, I hope to take the first step in my dream of promoting a different approach to scientific education.
BENJAMIN ABBOTT (HE/HIM)
Neighbors in Need
This summer, I was fortunate to have been able to donate my time to Neighbors in Need of Lawrence, MA. My specific SPARK project was to find testimonial through a survey of my making as well as assist the organization in their food and diaper pantry day-to-day operations. Otherwise, I used my knowledge of Spanish (I am far from fluent, but I made it work!) to register new clients and get them access to better healthcare products at the NiN diaper pantry, food at the pop-up food pantries throughout the city, or drive deliveries for elderly clients. Most of my time was spent being a body and learning how to lead others through friendliness, hard work, and a smile. It was a fantastic summer.
ELI ABEL (HE/HIM)
Community Refugee and Immigration Services
I worked at Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) in Columbus, OH. CRIS aims to help refugee families in Columbus get access to all the necessary resources they need to thrive and ultimately become self-sufficient. I worked in the Resettlement program at CRIS, and my long-term project focused on clothing security. I researched and connected with several other non-profit organizations in the greater Columbus area, forming long-term relationships with them to help CRIS in the future get access to clothing for clients. I organized all of this in a HUGE spreadsheet for CRIS employees to reference. I also sifted through all of the case files for families that have arrived in 2024 and gathered information on families with school-aged children. I organized this data in another spreadsheet to prepare to apply for the "Clothe-A-Child" program on behalf of many of our clients, a program through another Columbus non-profit that provides warm clothing for school-aged children for the coming school year. With that work, we were able to get hundreds of children warm clothing, and using my spreadsheet format in future years, CRIS will be able to apply for the Clothe-A-Child program more easily.
I also helped wherever I was needed, and that meant I often assisted in collecting and moving various furniture donations to apartments for our clients, ensuring that they were fully furnished before their arrival.
AISHA AHMED (SHE/HER)
Education USA
This summer, I’ll be providing US college access points, resources and mentorship to high school graduates from Kenyan marginalized communities. My hope is to better Africa, in terms of innovation and education. As well as provide education pathways to female students from Gender-oppressive cultural traditions.
RANI AMIN (SHE/HER)
James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn
I spent my summer at the Club thinking of ways to inspire other alumni such as myself to reconnect with the place that was our second home growing up. I worked with current teens to think about how alumni could interact with younger generations, came up with ideas for a stronger community overall, and planned an Alumni Day of Service to wrap up the summer and bring everyone together to give back to the Club. It was attended by several alumni and their families and we cleaned up the Club for the school year while reconnecting and thinking about the future. This project strengthened my place as an active community member and other, older alumni reached out to tell me that my drive to create more opportunities for alumni was inspiring. I have grown as a leader in my community and I now look forward to being more influential in the process of maintaining the strong relationships forged at the Club even as people graduate and go their separate ways. My experience this summer certainly cemented the Club's place in my life as a second home and a second family to go to for resources and support even into my adult life.
STYVES BARROS MIRANDA (HE/HIM)
Department of Education and Public Schools of Seabra
This summer, I am implementing a supplemental math instruction project at two public schools in my town to improve students' proficiency by providing after-school tutoring. The project aims to enhance students' math skills, boost their confidence, and provide teachers with tools and insights for ongoing support. Personally, the SPARK project was important to me because it allowed me to reconnect with my community by doing something I love: teaching. Moreover, it gave me a closer look at all the challenges that young people in my town face in their pursuit of quality education, which further strengthened my desire to return to Brazil after I graduate and help change this situation.
DANIEL PEREZ BECERRA (HE/HIM)
Friday Night Live
I worked alongside high school students and FNL workers to raise awareness and prevent substance abuse through PSA videos(one which was an Office of Traffic Safety Alcohol prevention video which went on all social media and another in conjunction with our county Office of Education and Montage health which went live on television in our county). I worked alongside another summer volunteer to work on a TUPE Project to prevent the use of tobacco through infographics and small videos. Throughout this summer I learned the ins and outs of nonprofit work, gained insight into community engagement, and got to spend time with people who share a similar drive to mine. I loved receiving support from Harvard to be able to make change in my community just makes me solidify my choice that Harvard is the right place for me to become a change maker and activist.
ANCHAL BHARDWAJ (SHE/HER)
Western Region Robotics Forum
I worked with Western Region Robotics Forum on developing a documentation system for all of their previous workshop offerings and working with their youth planning committee on their fall conference. My tasks included finding documentation on all past conferences, contacting hundreds of presenters, and putting together a filing system for all past workshops. I plan on continuing my work with WRRF in the Fall to help with volunteer recruitment for their Fall conference, offering workshops for hundreds of FIRST Robotics students in the Bay Area. My SPARK project was a fantastic way for me to connect and give back to the robotics community that I have been a part of my entire life. I learned about the new pathways to public service at Harvard and was able to make an impact on my hometown before going across the country for school in the Fall.
TEJAS BILLA (HE/HIM)
Bay Area Friendship Circle
For my SPARK project, I’ve worked for Bay Area Friendship Circle, a nonprofit organization that pairs teen volunteers with children with special needs for recreational and social activities. In addition to volunteering for two weeks at their summer day camp, I’ve worked on three surveys that we sent out to volunteers before, during, and after their time at camp. Volunteer satisfaction is super important for Friendship Circle, as every buddy has specific special needs requiring one-on-one pairing.
MEGAN BLONIGEN (SHE/HER)
I organized a week-long theater camp with nearly 30 students to encourage participation in my school's theater program. We taught students about confidence, teamwork, and more, as well as specific aspects of theater like blocking, cues, and projection. At the end of the week, students perform their play to an audience. This is the third year I have organized this camp, and with a 30% increase in participation this year, I had to ensure that we had enough volunteers to chaperone the group, ensure that we had a fun and busy schedule to keep kids engaged, ensure we had enough supplies and resources, and more. This project has always taught me effective planning, scheduling, and preparation, skills that I will be able to use in countless situations in the future.
Eden Valley-Watkins Community Education
RYAN BREWINGTON (HE/HIM)
During my volunteer work with ElderNet, I assisted in the food pantry by checking expiration dates and packing shopping carts for participants. I also served as a delivery person, transporting AC units, prescriptions, and groceries to our participants. Additionally, I contributed as a yard worker, mowing lawns and helping with landscaping for participants. Moreover, I supported ElderNet's advertising efforts by assembling information packets, proofreading public advertisements, and taking photos for our social media accounts.
For my SPARK project, I established a partnership between ElderNet and The Haverford School, connecting the school's volunteer and service club with the head of volunteers at ElderNet.
ANTHONY BYNUM
Pockets Full of Sunshine
With Pockets Full of Sunshine, I promoted physical and mental wellness with people who have special need and disabilities. I’ve been working with this nonprofit since middle school, so being able to see them grow has been a blessingandajoyinmylife.
ANGELA CALDERON PIO (SHE/HER)
Ignite Dance Team
During my SPARK summer, I worked with Ignite Dance Team, a local student dance group, to create their website and help find resources. As I worked with the team, I learned a lot, ranging from professional communication to learning about my own habits. I was able to create a schedule for myself that worked with my part-time job. Beyond all of the hard skills I learned, I'd argue most importantly was that my ability to integrate myself with my community vastly improved. I found myself reaching out to help with more than I initially planned, and doing so because I was passionate about the community I had found. Overall, I highly recommend participating in SPARK; even as the years pass, I will always cherish this summer.
SAMANTHA CAPEHART (SHE/HER)
The City of Charlottesville
For my SPARK project, I interviewed the leaders of homeless shelters in my city and created a document that relays their concerns and ideas to our local government. The document includes a comprehensive plan for the construction of a new homeless shelter that fills a gap within the community by providing year-round overnight access, low barrier entry, and co-ed living spaces. During this project, I learned so much about how complex and multi-faceted the issue of homelessness is, and how important it is to build systems that support people in breaking out of the cycle of homelessness forever. I also gained a really valuable window into the inner workings of local government and experimented with the best ways to inspire change within an organization that is naturally slow and bureaucratic.
SASHA CARACALOS (SHE/HER)
STEM Roots
Over the past few weeks, I developed a curriculum for STEM Roots, a community service group that engages underserved students in science through hands-on experiments. Recognizing that many of these students are Spanishspeaking ESL learners, I integrated their linguistic knowledge into the lessons, using Spanish to enhance their understanding of scientific terms. I compiled successful experiments from previous years and researched new ones, creating a visually appealing curriculum on Canva. I plan to continue expanding and refining the curriculum for broader useinESLandSpanish-speakingcommunities.
FEKER CHANE (SHE/HER)
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago
This summer, I'm dedicating myself to Project Heal Africa. Through this initiative, I'll raise awareness about a specific health issue in Ethiopia (e.g., maternal mortality, access to clean water, malnutrition). My goal is to inspire action to support Ethiopian clinics, while highlighting the resources offered by ECAC for the local Ethiopian community in Chicago. I'm incredibly excited to utilize SPARK's resources and guidance! Honing the skills needed to bridge the gap between research, advocacy, and impactful on-the-ground projects is invaluable. This will empower me to effectively serve underserved communities and pursue a career in global health equity.
WILSON CHEUNG (HE/HIM)
UNESCO Hong Kong Association
This summer, I worked with UNESCO Hong Kong Association and helped host model UNESCO conferences in Hong Kong! Students from all of the world including Nepal, Poland, and all over China gathered in Hong Kong to discuss and debate. It was a fun experience chairing the conference and making meaningful connections with others.
SEBASTIAN CONNOLLY (HE/HIM)
Boys and Girls Club of Providence
I volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Providence leading STEM activities for kids ages 7-12 in their summer programs. In addition to volunteering at the program part of my project was to create a workbook of low-cost STEM activities that the club could use as a reference for future programming that wouldn't have them relying as heavily on grants or funding. It was an amazing experience. The best part was the relationships I got to build with the kids and with my partner organization. I really feel like I strengthened my skills managing children and communicating professionally (with my supervisor, coworkers, etc.) In addition to the webinars and other resources provided by SPARK, my experience volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Providence this summer has really driven me to consider a career in public service. It's led me to me more confident and want to push myself more to seek out future internship or job opportunities where I can be innovative and really make a difference.
KATIE CULBERT (SHE/HER)
Ocean County 4-H
My project focused on helping younger kids (ages 5-7) learn all about the importance of pollinators and what they can do to help save them through a video series format. I've always wanted to do outreach for the younger kids and SPARK gave me the opportunity to do that! I really enjoyed teaching and working with the kids! I think I definitely sparked an interest in bees but also let them know they have the power to make a positive impact on environment!
JOAQUIN DE CASTRO (HE/HIM)
The Philippine Space Agency
Under the Philippine Space Agency, I helped with PINAS or the <PhilSA Integrated Network for Space-Enabled Actions towards Sustainability.= The aim is for PINAS to be a network of local government units and other institutions that are using space data and information to achieve their respective sustainability goals. My final major output for the project was proposing a streamlined workflow or process for PINAS network members to request satellite data from PhilSA. The biggest opportunity I saw here was to incorporate the request process into the existing website PhilSA had for storing space data that was already available. This could integrate for instance map features already in the website to allow users to select areas of interest more accurately, and provide filters based on common use cases.
SOPHIE DIAZ (SHE/HER)
Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm
I worked with the Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm on a grant they received from Republic Services to 1) create an educational area with a self-guided tour component, 2) run a youth summer camp, and 3) worked as a farm hand. It has pushed me to learn more about environmental management and public policy, which I plan to further by taking related classes and getting a secondary in.
DAVID DICKSON (HE/HIM)
Chicago Youth Program
My work with the Chicago Youth Program through the SPARK Program was making math worksheets for middle and high school students. I have been a part of the Chicago Youth Program since the fourth grade, and they have provided so many academic opportunities for me and my siblings. I wanted to use what I learned from these academic opportunities and make them more accessible for students from underrepresented communities and inspire an interest in math.
ASHLEY DING (SHE/HER)
Florida State Representative Rita Harris
Coming from a state where discussing menstruation in schools is prohibited, I felt a strong need to drive change. This summer, I collaborated with Florida State Representative Rita Harris to address period poverty in my hometown of Orlando, Florida. The goal of my SPARK Project was to establish a sustainable menstrual hygiene and period product distribution program. Collaborating with three nonprofit organizations—Living Outside Orlando, the Period Poverty Initiative, and REACH of Central Florida—we assembled and distributed 200 period packs and 45 snack packs to low-income menstruators in Central Florida. While I had previously been involved in menstrual justice advocacy, this project reinforced my belief that grassroots efforts and community partnerships are crucial for creating meaningful and lasting impact. Despite the stigma and legislative barriers, we managed to lay a solid foundation for the future of menstrual equity in Orlando. There is still much to be done to end period poverty, but I am excited to continue my advocacy at Harvard, where I hope to expand these efforts and inspire others to join the cause.
HARRY DING (HE/HIM)
The South Carolina Bar Law Related Education Division & Charleston County School District
I partnered with the SC Bar to craft a law curriculum focused on justice and communities for elementary school students. This included a culminating mock trial activity that allowed grades 1, 3, and 5 to apply the skills they learned into action. After creating the lesson plans, we are now currently in the process of having elementary school teachers refine the curriculum to target SC social studies and ELA standards.
ANDREW DONG (HE/HIM)
Melrose Meadows Retirement Community
I wrote and taught a mental health wellness curriculum for 30 senior residents at Melrose Meadows Retirement Community, a retirement home in Iowa City, Iowa. Across 4 weekly hour-long sessions, I taught topics surrounding the definition of mental health, mental health wellness frameworks, words of affirmation, and support systems. By executing the rollout of this curriculum, I have become more confident in my ability to teach and write in an engaging way. I have also been able to utilize my mental health and emergency medical technician training in a positive way through this project.
CONDOLEEZZA DWUYE (SHE/HER)
Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce
I worked with the nonprofit, Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce. The TACC’s mission, according to its website, is to promote a“ thriving and prosperous economy and community for the Greater Taunton Area...". One of the main projects I worked on with them is promoting Business for Business program, which is when larger, more established businesses sponsor smaller ones to be in the TACC. To do this, I reviewed the Business for Business information and promotional materials already there. I utilized Canva to design promotional graphics, flyers, and social media posts about the Business for Business Campaign. I also volunteered and did Outreach communication at a Whittenton neighborhood block party event with local businesses and vendors. Finally, I completed a Diverse Business List of local businesses with people of color.
JAMES DYALCHAND-ERICSON (HE/HIM)
Brookline Community Development Corporation
This summer, I volunteered with the Brookline Community Development Corporation, the only nonprofit organization in Brookline dedicated to the creation and maintenance of safe and sanitary affordable housing. My mentor was Deborah Brown, Board President of the Brookline CDC, and she played a vital role in my education and experience in the workings and leadership of non-profit organizations. My roles as a volunteer included event planning, donor outreach, grant writing, and the preparation of town warrant articles. My time with SPARK helped me be a better volunteer and advocate for change in my community, and my time with the Brookline CDC helped me apply and reinforce the lessons I learned from my SPARK leaders and peers.
SAJID FAHMID (HE/HIM)
Bangladesh Association, Houston
My main goal was to reach out to Islamic and South Asian business owners in Houston to help sponsor the construction of the Bangladesh Center. I created a flyer so that members could pass them out at mosques and at shops in Hillcroft (where the Houston South Asian district is located). I also am in the process of creating a new website since the current one looks outdated and not well organized. Then I compiled lists of businesses we could contact and also attended Bangladesh Association board meetings to pitch my ideas and create a long term member donation plan so we could have a stream of money flowing in every month. I managed the Excel spreadsheet of all the members and the donations.
GIANMARCO FEDELE (HE/HIM)
Save the Children
During my time as a Volunteer for Education, I provided children with online study, mental and social support in one by one stimulating meetings every week. This project protected the right to education, without discrimination, and improved the personal and motivational growth of children.
Thanks to my project, I realized that learning to heal is a powerful force for transformation and integration and, I believe, one of the greatest strengths of servant-leadership.
ISEULT FITZPATRICK (SHE/HER)
Secondary Students Union of Northern Ireland
For my SPARK project I worked with the Secondary Students’ Union of Northern Ireland to provide resources and support to NI Students applying to university. Students from Northern Ireland are consistently underrepresented at top Universities in the UK and abroad, in particular the US. I create a resource pack on applying to US universities which talked through all the steps of applying, focused on myth busting and providing information on scholarships and financial aid available alongside more general information such as the differences between US and UK universities. This experience taught me how to create a professional booklet of this nature but also improved my technology skills which will academically help me in the future. I used apps such as Canva to create social media posts advertising the resources I created for students and also created a GDP to allow students to ask any questions they had about the university application process. SPARK has been an experience that has allowed me to grow so much and think more academically about personal development through service work. I couldn’t recommend the program more to any future students considering it.
ABIGAIL GERSTEIN (SHE/HER)
Tenants and Workers United
For my SPARK project, I partnered with NOVA-RAFT, a non-profit that helps Afghan refugees in the northern Virginia area, to increase literacy and graduation rates among at-risk female Afghan youth. I worked with over 40 kids on general English language skills and American history tutoring. My focus was on high school girls neglected by the school system. I worked to increase their confidence and conversational skills and craft a plan for them to graduate high school on time and eventually attend college. Though it is a cliche, these girls taught me more than I could ever teach them. In between gushing about boybands and gobbling candy, they told me about the time they had to spend in hiding and the perilous journey to make it to the US. They shared their struggles in the US with me while remaining relentlessly positive and raucously funny. NOVA-RAFT and SPARK have gifted me with friends for life and for that I am eternally grateful.
TYLER GLOVER (SHE/HER)
Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need
This summer, I worked with a local nonprofit, Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need. The organization's mission is the provide food support and resources for families in the Ballantyne area who are experiencing food insecurity. My specific role was to lead a group of volunteers in finding and applying to grants while also creating the foundational resources for future grant endeavors. Prior to this project, I hadn't worked with grants, so this opportunity enabled me to develop new skills as well as have a leadership role outside of the school and club/athletic environment. I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses in leadership and how to work, connect with, and bring together people that I had never met before and are all equally as inexperienced in something (the grant process).
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ANNIE GOMBINER (SHE/HER)
This summer I expanded Humans of New Rochelle by installing an exhibit in my City Hall showcasing a selection of New Rochelle residents and leading educational programming focused on the value of personal storytelling. My work sought to highlight the stories of people who often do not receive spotlights and emphasize that everyone has a story worth sharing. Through this project and the support of SPARK, I feel more confident to pursue public service in the future, and I feel especially excited about the use of oral histories in both academia and as a community-building tool.
New Rochelle Council on the Arts
CAITLYN GONZALEZ (SHE/HER)
Leavens Kids
This summer, I led a "STEM Bootcamp" to provide engaging and practical STEM education to at-risk youth, culminating in weeks of STEM projects and promoting community engagement in STEM learning. Our collaboration with Leaven's Kids, mentorship centers placed in the most low income, high crime rated areas of my county, alongside Boys and Girls Club, ultimately worked to bridge educational gaps and foster a sustained interest in science and technology among participants. I am so beyond excited to have immersed myself in Spark’s professional development offerings whilst contributing further to my hometown. Moreover, I am eager to pursue my passion for public service this upcoming fall at Harvard.
EMILIANO GUTIERREZ BERLANGA (HE/HIM)
Arlington Charities
My SPARK project this summer focused on direct service work with my partner organization Arlington Charities, a food distribution center in my community. Throughout my time in SPARK and with Arlington Charities, I gained new insight into the various aspects and processes required in running a daily, active nonprofit. This professional growth experience also opened my eyes to larger societal issues such as consumptive waste, which ultimately has led me to be more cognizant of my daily habits and lifestyle contributing to the problem.
COBY HAYES (HE/HIM)
Delta Redefines
Within my hometown, I worked with high school students by helping them with college applications, coursework, and standardized test prep! We currently have a low college matriculation rate of around 45% as well as just the lack of availability of resources within the area. I plan to continue this project on my own beyond SPARK!
GABRIELLA HERNANDEZ (SHE/HER)
My project included sorting and writing descriptions for a grant list and doing social media for my organization. Seeing the funding side of a nonprofit showed me a new lens into the world of community service— the reality that any organization still needs money to run and a way to acquire this money. Learning about grant writing and grant applications showed me the uncertainty of running a nonprofit, especially a newer one since the organization's funding is calculated using probability algorithms. I also spent a good portion of my time creating social media content. This work showed me the importance of outreach and marketing and how social media can be important, especially for organizations that rely on donations.
Fresh Truck
COURTNEY HINES (SHE/HER)
Multiracial Americans of Southern California
With Multiracial Americans of Southern California, I interviewed multiracial youth on personal narratives about their experiences being mixed and turned them into short stories for a novella. One of the most difficult parts of the mixed experience is feeling isolated in identity. By telling the stories of multiracial people in a way that is accessible and easy to connect to, more people within both the Southern California community and hopefully the mixed community at large will be able to understand that their experiences with identity are shared and that they aren’t alone.
CHELSEA HU (SHE/HER)
I worked in partnership with local art studios, primarily the Da Vinci Art Studio, to create art outreaches and activities for students of all backgrounds through the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia). I worked on creating lesson plans and developed different curriculums that focused on teaching artistic and cultural expression. It was rewarding and exciting to see youth of all background come together to learn about and create art!
Da Vinci Art Studio
KEMI IMODE (SHE/HER)
I helped create a virtual tour for my local history museum. This project involved being both technical and personal skills. I used various kinds of software that I had no previous experience in to create the tour and talking to different members of the community to learn more about the history of West Bel Air Avenue.
This project has helped my programming and researching skills, while helping me be a more personal person in both professional and more relaxed contexts.
Aberdeen Historical Museum
ISHA JHA (SHE/HER)
Smart Communities Society
In the span of a summer, I have learned extensively about computers and social connection. In a day and age where everything is digital, it is important to keep up with the latest advances within globalism and our world. An easy way to do that is to have stable access to internet connection, which proves harder for others. Certain Indigenous groups of Canada’s North live in remote and isolated areas, it takes weeks for food to get shipped, let alone the latest HP laptop. So, with the help of Computer For Schools, a local non-profit organization, we set out to fix that. As the Northernmost city in Canada, we have a lot of resources that smaller communities are in dire need of. An example of this would be healthcare. The Larga Kitikmeot Boarding Home houses medical patients from Nunavut that have come to Yellowknife seeking medical aid. These people are particularly fond to me, as they used to be my parent’s coworkers, and my old babysitters. Having lived in Nunavut, I remember that buying a DVD used to be reserved for special occasions so providing them with refurbished laptops was one way to ease financial constraints of being digital. With Computers For Schools, I was taught how to take a computer apart from the inside out. I was taught to clean, add coolant, and clear RAM to prepare these laptops for their new home. We then updated the software on the Laptops one by one, installing Windows and other tools they may need in their personal and professional lives. Additionally, I was responsible for planning the event and communicating with the Larga house. It was my job to ensure a date was selected, enough laptops showed up, and facilitate a venue. I also created a slideshow detailing all of the computer hardware and software I was taught this summer and ways to use it. We also added ways to use Google applications such as Google Calendar or Keep to your advantage. We then provided paper copies of the slide deck alongside their laptops so they could refer back to it whenever they needed. It was a really good experience. People were excited to use their new laptops and use the money they had been saving on more important things like medical expenses or food. One lady was just starting a two year college program and was excited to learn about how she could use Windows to help her throughout school. She ended up staying behind an extra hour as I explained to her how I use Google Calendar to keep track of my classes and meetings, as well as other applications she may need in the near future. One man said that it would help him work remotely so he could take care of his sick son without having to miss work or take time off. Others were simply excited to use Facebook on their laptop. It taught me to go out of my comfort zone by learning new things I was not comfortable with, strengthen my public speaking skills, and remind me that the community around me is the greatest asset I have.
LAYLA KELLY (SHE/HER)
Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
I worked with Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana in developing curriculum for a semester-long financial literacy course that aligns with new Indiana state standards. I also worked to update existing JA K-5 curriculum to incorporate new careerreadinessconceptswithsupportfromastategrant.
Letters Against Depression SEAN KIM (HE/HIM)
Over my six weeks, I worked to spread awareness about mental health through community service with Letters Against Depression, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading hope and support for those suffering from mental illnesses. After realizing the importance of mental health awareness efforts and the need of addressing harmful stigmas surrounding youth mental illness in my hometown, I hosted a workshop titled <Mental Health in Service= for local high school students, onboarded members of the youth community as Letters Against Depression volunteers, and created and planted volunteer supply kits in accessible locations within my high school. Additionally, I obtained promotional support from the largest student organizations on campus, members of the school administration, faculty, and counseling team, established a social media following for Letters Against Depression in my city, and recruited two current high school students to lead a club dedicated to mental health in the upcoming school year. Serving my community as a SPARK Fellow has introduced me to an incredibly passionate network of scholars and encouraged me to continue down the path of public service during my time at Harvard. Through the SPARK programming, I have learned critical information about social change, from the various roles and responsibilities needed for effective change-making to the spectrum of ways in which change can present itself. I sincerely look forward to learning more ways to positively impact communities and continuing to build my philosophy as a leader during my time on campus.
JASON KLEEHAMMER (HE/HIM)
Seymour Library
This summer, I partnered with the Seymour Library Children's Summer Reading Program, an initiative at my local library that I've volunteered with for over 7 years! Specifically, I focused on increasing program participation and retention; ensuring that activities meet a variety of educational and linguistic needs; securing funding sources; and inviting feedback to help improve subsequent programming. While helping to run a variety of literacy and STEAM-based programs, I co-led Spanish Story Times; evaluated existing Spanish collections; piloted a Summer Program Evaluation Survey; and spearheaded non-profit grant proposals and donation requests. This experience was highly rewarding and helped me take on a new leadership role and form new connections in an organization at the heart of education in my community. Having once been a participant in the Summer Reading Program, I greatly enjoyed this opportunity to help inspire a love of learning among the next generation of students!
ANNIKA KROVI (SHE/HER)
Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health & Advocacy
At the Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health and Advocacy, I helped update and disseminate information about child injury prevention to my community in Greenville, South Carolina. I compiled information in my focus areas of firearm safety, golf cart/ATV safety, water safety, infant sleep safety, and car seat safety into a guide for healthcare providers that was spread throughout the Prisma Health healthcare system in SC. I also created a #SafetySunday campaign for the program's Instagram, added seasonal safety informational slides to their interactive safety exhibit for school-aged kids, and handed out safety information and gun locks at community events like a diaper bank and back-to-school fair. Through my SPARK project, I had the opportunity to serve my community while learning about important public health and safety topics, which has inspired me to continue pursuing my interest in public health. This opportunity has allowed me to grow into a more confident leader and public servant, helped me feel more connected to my hometown community, and inspired me to keep pursuing my passions for service, healthcare equity, and community advocacy.
CHI LE (SHE/HER)
XAVAN Inc.
We prepared gift boxes for the garment workers of ECOSOI who mainly are underprivileged farming women with limited access to job opportunities. Besides, we also organized night English and Science classes for their children, aging from 6 to 14 years old. For the last two days, we executed a workshop on the pineapple fibers manufacturing site ECOSOI and natural dyeing in Hoa Tien village. Through the opportunity, I get to meet people of differing backgrounds and interview them about their situations and expectations for the future. Embracing the firsthand experience of holding classes and communicating with much younger children, I earned not only great memories with great people but also chances to better my organization and public speaking skills.
SIMONA LETIZIA
(SHE/HER)
Sankofa Empowering Women in Ghana (SEWING)
Throughout the summer, I worked with Sankofa Empowering Women In Ghana (SEWING), an organization empower girls at risk of becoming Kayayei (female head porters) by providing economic opportunities and supporting education scholarships. My work focused on developing SEWING's education curriculum by creating financial literacy lessons; grant writing; and raising awareness on the Kayayei human rights crisis through community partnerships, social media campaigns, and presentations. SPARK was an incredibly unique opportunity to collaborate with Harvard's service-oriented students, before I even got to campus. Everyone was so inspiring and are truly making an impact in their communities and the world!
YUTIAN LI (SHE/HER)
Brookline Asian American Family Network
I created a seventeen-page research report, analyzing the impact of affinity programs in improving Asian American high school students' mental health and sense of belonging in school. Using my school's AAPI affinity advisory as a case study, I spent my summer talking to past and current LEAP students, conducting surveys, and digging through town archives for publicly available mental health data. The results are astoundingly powerful!
Nine out of ten students enjoyed this advisory more than their previous one. More than 75% of students felt more connected to the AAPI community at our school after joining this program. Because of how valuable this advisory had been for my own self-growth and sense of belonging, I wanted to use this project to give back to the community by highlighting LEAP's importance. While there is a lot more to be done to allocate resources for AAPI students and to normalize discussions of mental health in AAPI communities, this project inspired me to pursue a concentration in psychology and to continue advocating for policies, programs, and services that suport AAPI mental health. I also hope that this report can serve as a model for other schools to adopt similar affinity programs, impacting more AAPI students across the country.
SOPHIA LICHTERFIELD (SHE/HER)
Boston Community Pediatrics
This summer, as part of my SPARK project, I developed an after-school coding program for 8-12 year olds at Boston Community Pediatrics (BCP). BCP is Massachusetts’ first non-profit private pediatric practice. BCP offers quality healthcare to children predominantly from low-income families who would otherwise not have access to this care. BCP also provides afterschool programs for its community, the newest addition of which this fall will be BCP Codes, a foundational coding course taught in JavaScript with a new interactive, engaging, and creative project each week. Over the course of the summer, I designed several coding projects in JavaScript, including generative art designs, a maze game, and an adapted version of pong so that students could start from scratch each class and leave with a fun and fully functional project of their own making. I am excited to see how the inaugural BCP Codes class goes this semester and, hopefully, continues to grow for years to come!
MICHELLE LIU (SHE/HER)
Foundations for Social Change
This summer, I worked with the Foundations for Social Change to investigate different fundraising strategies. I conducted environmental scans of FSC’s online presence as well as that of similar organizations to come up with suggestions for improvement. My project concluded with two deliverables: a presentation and a write-up/checklist!
ELENA LUO (SHE/HER)
Hunterdon Health
This past summer, I conducted research on the issue of senior isolation in my local community in collaboration with Hunterdon Health. Social isolation is a serious issue that leads to many physical and mental health issues. More than 44% of NJ elderly residents feel lonely so I hoped to tackle the issue within my community. From the survey responses that I collected, I analyzed the factors that contribute to senior isolation and made community health improvement recommendations. For example, more than 15% of participants responded that a lack of transportation has impacted their ability to socialize so it is important that Hunterdon County maintain and expand its public transportation. Participating in SPARK has allowed me to form stronger bonds with my hometown community, peers, and professionals at Harvard. I met peers whom I can now call my friends and I look forward to meeting them on campus this coming fall!
AVA MAHA (SHE/HER)
Women of the Cloud Forest
I worked with a local fair trade organization and their Nepal-based partner organization to create guidebooks to help artisans create more accurate products and expand their market. I also hosted an event with Nepal’s Empowerment and local changemakers that centered around global women’s empowerment and period poverty. We raised around 2,000 dollars. This money was donated to a period poverty project which funds fair trade artisans in Nepal to sew reusable period pads which are then donated to local school girls.
NYANKIIR MAJOK (SHE/HER)
As part of my project, I collaborated closely with the research and innovations team, where my primary responsibilities included collecting and analyzing data from youth who had participated in Shamiri's mental health interventions. This data was crucial in assessing the effectiveness of the interventions and identifying areas for improvement. My work involved not just gathering raw data, but also engaging with the participants to understand their experiences and feedback, which added a qualitative dimensiontotheresearch.Bysynthesizingtheseinsights,ourteamaimedto refine and enhance the implementation strategies, ensuring that the interventions are both effective and culturally relevant. This hands-on experience deepened my understanding of mental health issues among Kenyanyouth.
Shamiri Institute
Contra Costa Family Justice Center
For my project, I served with The Contra Costa Family Justice Center, a nonprofit serving over 5,000 victims of trauma and interpersonal violence each year. However, dozens more families have been negatively affected by trauma and violence and require support. My work during my time at the Organization aimed to better support the Family Justice Center’s services by working to improve quality, enhance navigation to resources, and increase community knowledge of the Family Justice Center’s resources as many families are unaware of the resources available to them and do not get the support and resources they need. To start my project, I worked on better understanding the breadth of the Family Justice Center’s Programs. They offer so many programs to provide total support to victims on mainly interpersonal violence along with other issues such as child abuse, and human trafficking as well as free TeleCare, mental health, and legal aid. In my first week, I made 45 calls requesting feedback on our services directly to clients who have received Family Justice Center aid, performed outreach research on community events and created outreach materials for the Family Justice Center’s Mind Power in Action program, as well as participated in a Partner’s meetings that brought together 20 community partners to look at ways care is integrated across nonprofit partners.
As I explored all of the resources the Family Justice Center had available, I saw how vital it is to ensure more of the community is aware of these opportunities to increase access. I talked to the staff and we realized that while court and police referrals were abundant, there were very few from the healthcare space. Further, we noticed the little knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences or how the children of victims of abuse/trauma/violence may be getting affected and wanted to educate more about this. Combining these two focuses, I created a curriculum on Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma Informed Care for presentation to Family Justice Center Staff and Partners. I also designed an Enhanced Navigation Screener that helps screen adversity-exposed families for adverse childhood experiences, so we can better connect the children of victims of violence to support and resources as well.
My project truly helped me make a difference on victims of trauma and I hope to take it further in the future. I hope to later apply for the Fung Wintership Program to come back to the Family Justice Center and present my curriculum and screening tools to other sites to gather more feedback, train more partners/staff, and continue outreach.
LexSeeHer SITARA MITRAGOTRI (SHE/HER)
This summer, I worked with LexSeeHer Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Lexington, Massachusetts, dedicated to recognizing women's economic, political, intellectual, social, and cultural contributions to Lexington throughout history. On May 15, 2024, LexSeeHer proudly unveiled its <Something Is Being Done= monument, which honors 20 women whose work has transformed our society. The monument is a powerful testament to the fundamental roles women have played in the growth of our community and beyond. They exist within the same timeline as major historical events that are often taught in schools. Yet, they are overlooked. With my project, I helped connect more students and community members with the monument via social media posts and sorted through digital newspaper records to find different references to these women and their contributions. This was a very enriching opportunity to engage with town members and help make a lasting impact within my community!
AVERY MIZRAHI (SHE/HER)
Bolsa Chica Conservancy
During my SPARK Proposal project, I collaborated with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy under the supervision of Kenneth Perez to expand educational outreach on birdwatching and environmental awareness. Recognizing the need for accessible resources for youth, I developed a series of conservation and neuroethology-related articles and events aimed at engaging young audiences. This project, rooted in my background in translational neuroscience, included writing articles, photographing bird behavior, designing hands-on demonstrations, and hosting an ExperTalk with Dr. Georg Striedter. This work has deepened my understanding of the intersection between neuroscience and conservation, enhanced my communication skills, and strengthened my commitment to public service and environmental education.
ANDREA MORENO (SHE/HER)
I worked with a local non-profit named Frontera Land Alliance. My goal was to improve education in my town about climate change in the desert. I was able to learn more about climate change in my city and what the city does to help and what the public can do to help.
The Frontera Land Alliance
Beta Mentor Africa EMMANUEL MURIUKI (HE/HIM)
During the summer, I worked with Beta Mentor Africa, where I was deeply involved in mentoring high school students in the underprivileged and rural areas of Kirinyaga County. My primary focus was on addressing the barriers these students face in accessing educational opportunities that are more readily available to their peers in more privileged schools, which contribute to high dropout rates and poor performance in national examinations.
I organized and conducted targeted workshops across several schools providing students with guidance in key areas such as achieving academic excellence, leadership development, value-based living, and communication skills. These sessions were complemented by one-on-one mentorship, where I worked closely with students to identify and tackle the specific issues contributing to their academic struggles. By offering personalized tutoring in subjects where students were struggling and providing pre-professional advice, such as resume writing, I aimed to help these students build confidence and resilience in their academic pursuits and the skills necessary to build successful futures. This experience has allowed me to grow as an empathetic leader while significantly improving my communication skills. I also gained a deeper understanding of the challenges these students face. I am committed to keep the fire I ignited in these students burning by maintaining connections with the schools and with Beta Mentor Africa. I am more determined than ever to continue impacting lives through public service to continue inspiring the future generation of transformative leaders.
KATIE MURPHY (SHE/HER)
Pathway Financial Education
I interned at Pathway Financial Education, a nonprofit in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and created a semester-long financial literacy curriculum for local high schools. The curriculum covers recently-updated MO Department of Education Standards and is hosted on Blackboard, including interactive games, projects, and local resource guides for each lesson. I am so grateful to provide resources to teachers in need in my community and contribute to a greater financial understanding. It was truly inspiring to experience the day-to-day positive impacts of Pathway as community members walk in for free financial education, and I gained insight on the operations of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Now, I am even more excited to continue public service work at Harvard!
IZABELA PACHECO SILVA (SHE/HER)
Cores do Brasil
This summer, I will design a leadership and management skills training program for Cores’ volunteers and launch its application mentorship program, connecting youths with queer mentors. I really look forward to using SPARK’s expertise and resources to maximize Cores’ impact. I believe this organization has a lot of potential, and participating in SPARK would deepen my impact in engaging in public service initiatives.
LILY
PENG (SHE/HER)
Yuan Media
SPARK has allowed me to discover a new meaning for advocacy. Expanding beyond my past definition of advocacy, I’ve realized the importance of representation and student voice across all fields. By initiating a Youth Journalism Summer Fellowship, I have found fulfillment in seeing other youth find a platform for their voice. I’ve seen the passion in each one of them as they use journalism as a vessel for their voice on important issues that they care deeply about from Asian American voter choice to the importance of local Asian American healthcare centers and grants. As I watch their video and written projects, I can’t believe that these are projects students made and that just a couple months ago they had no journalism experience.
CHILI PRAMODA (SHE/HER)
EnviroJusticePR
Puerto Rico (PR) has ~250K kids across 858 public schools. In 2023, PR’s average daily max temperature exceeded 85 F. 83% of our classrooms have no air conditioning. Tropical, hot, humid underfunded local schools increase dehydration risks among students. Regular and timely hydration can ensure students stay healthy. My project, called the Aqua Azure Initiative, was to supply school students and their teachers with reusable aluminum water bottles along with free, safe, and convenient drinking water sources at schools. We aimed to provide them with hydration, eliminate the plastic waste from disposable water bottles, and help low-income families save money.
As the project lead for the Aqua Azure Initiative, I have been responsible for coordinating our project (contacting suppliers, organizing distribution, etc.) and our fundraising efforts. I first contacted suppliers to acquire the water dispensers and the reusable aluminum water bottles. I also spearheaded our fundraising campaign to purchase the dispensers and bottles, where we managed to raise $5000 from several generous donors to purchase the dispensers and bottles and install them in the schools. The final part of the project was an educational initiative to teach the students about why hydration and sustainability are important.
Overall, Aqua Azure was a great experience and I learned many valuable lessons. The project finally coming to fruition after months of hard work and challenges was an awesome feeling, and I’m overjoyed to see the impact it made on my community. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a cause that is so relevant to my community and for SPARK’s support this summer.
ETHAN RISTU (HE/HIM)
Jesuit Refugee Service USA
I worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (an organization I had collaborated with throughout high school) to develop materials for student leaders across the country to utilize in advocating and taking action for refugee issues. The experience lent me great insight on how social justice organizations operate and what a career in public service may look like for me.
LENA RUKKAS (SHE/HER)
Lviv City Council
As part of Harvard SPARK Program, I helped Lviv City Council with organizing city development events and initiatives, facilitate grants and investments search, conduct research on the Lviv energy recovery plan, and engage in communication with NGOs, local businesses, and international partners to promote infrastructure development.
TIGRAN SAHAKYAN (HE/HIM)
EducationUSA Armenia
For the summer, I organized an extensive project management workshop for student leaders in rural parts of Armenia who want to implement passion projects in their communities. Supporting these students in virtual sessions, creating a community amongst them, and helping them build their confidence have taught me so much about integrity, privilege, and community belonging. Public service is a field where I see myself engaging in quite often and that is mainly thanks to SPARK.
ISA SALMANU (HE/HIM)
I assisted the foundation in carrying out educational activities in rural areas. These activities included tutoring kids and their parents among others. I really gained an insight into how profit oriented organizations can still give back to communities that house them and better the society.
FlexiSAF Foundation
THOMAS SCHEETZ (HE/HIM)
The Town of Bennington and its Historic Preservation Commission
Using newspaper archives, old property records and deeds, and resources in local libraries, I researched the histories of houses and buildings in a neighborhood in my town which is often stereotyped and crime-ridden. I wrote a "walking tour" and worked on a nomination form for a National Historic District in the area, in conjunction with the Historic Preservation Commission of the Town of Bennington. We hope this will make the public perception of the neighborhood more positive.
ELISA SEE (SHE/HER)
The Lost Food Project
Over summer, I worked with The Lost Food Project, an NGO that rescues lost food that would otherwise be thrown away and redistributes it to charities and underserved communities. I was really fortunate to be involved in many aspects of the organization, helping with donor pitches and sponsorship proposals, calculating quantitative metrics to highlight our impact, working on an app that would connect food donors with those in need, updating the website to be responsive to ensure a good user experience for both phone and desktop users (giving me an opportunity to practice HTML/CSS/Javascript in the real world) and social media,100x TLFP's TikTok following and helping recruit new volunteers. This has given me an opportunity to explore my different interests in government, finance, and computer science in a single role, as well as allowing me to contribute meaningfully to my community.
TYARETH SERRANO RAMIREZ (SHE/HER)
This summer, I volunteered with Team Brownsville, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping asylum seekers arriving in the country by providing basic needs and food. During my time there, I learned about the hardships faced by immigrants, the injustices within the immigration system, and the misconceptions about asylum seekers. Often receiving people from diverse backgrounds and cultures allowed me to learn more about myself and my own identity. Thanks to this experience, I have developed a new interest in immigration issues that I hope to pursue further at my new home in Harvard. Last but not less important, I leave with a sense of belonging to a new family in Kathy, Gerry, Andrea, and Martha, the leaders of the organization, who have offered their support in countless ways.
Team Brownsville
DARREN SETO (HE/HIM)
South End
Over the summer, I worked on a project to bridge the engagement gap in the Castle Square Tenants Organization (CSTO), a housing community in Boston's South End. My focus was on connecting different generations by creating a newsletter that showcased social justice artwork from the community’s Media Makers Teen Program. By distributing the newsletter to all 500 apartments and enhancing the CSTO website, I aimed to foster civic participation and spark conversations about societal change within the community.
NISHTHA SHAH (SHE/HER)
For my project, I partnered with an international nongovernment organization called My Body Is My Body. In the project, my friends and I visited several schools in multiple cities of Nepal to reach middle school children and teach them about body safety. We included songs, animation, and worksheets for effectiveness, some of which I translated into Nepali and Maithili.
My Body Is My Body
ANNA SHAO (SHE/HER)
Chicago Scholars
In collaboration with Chicago Scholars, I laid the foundation for a leadership development fellowship for early college students. The thorough planning I initiated describes the fellowship structure and specific details regarding the fellowship so that higher-level Chicago Scholars staff could review. After further editing and receiving approval, the fellowship will come into fruition within the next one to two years. I found engaging in SPARK this summer to be a highly rewarding and educational experience. SPARK pushed me to develop strategies for feeling more self-efficacious when navigating bureaucracy, reflect deeply on the service work I was doing, and identify the types of change I want to create. Doing the background planning work in creating this fellowship has allowed me to make the most of my skills, from sorting out the technical details to painting the broader vision.
NARI SHIN (SHE/HER)
Rotary Club of Puerto Plata
Through my SPARK project, I helped expand the Rotary Club of Puerto Plata’s healthcare service projects to provide medical aid to underserved communities and started organizing international supporttodisadvantagedcommunitiesintheDominicanRepublic.I established a language tutoring program and create learning material for patients and underprivileged members of the community who don’t have access to education, started a fundraiser and campaign to fund medical equipment and medication for underprivileged patients, and organized a drive to donatefirst-aidmedicationandmaterialsforthecommunity.
ANAYA SHETH (SHE/HER)
Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA)
I worked with the Maternity and Child Health Department of the Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action in Mumbai to increase the organization’s outreach to community volunteers, develop new platforms for communication and research the optimization of existing nutrition and health programs amongst the urban underprivileged in Mumbai.
NICHOLAS SIKELLIS (HE/HIM)
Cycladic Preservation Group & National Hellenic Museum
My SPARK project had two parts to it. First, I worked with the National Hellenic Museum to transcribe and translate oral heritage in an attempt to preserve Greek and Greek-American stories. Second, I conducted interviews and research for the Cycladic Preservation Group about the cultural preservation processes in the Cycladic island group. I was able to explore my academic interest of cultural preservation while connecting with my Greek and, more specifically, Cycladic heritage.
ELI SOLOMON (HE/HIM)
Institute for Youth in Policy
I led the Institute for Youth in Policy’s Policy Media department as the Senior Vice President of Policy. I spearheaded the development of three new online competitions that allowed young people to submit samples of their policy research. I also oversaw the publication of youth-created policy briefs on our website and created a system to add new policy teams that would double our output. I had an incredible experience and look forward to continuing my work at the Institute.
CHLOE SOW (SHE/HER)
Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway
I assisted with identifying and interviewing potential recipients for prosthetic limbs, compiling media for awareness campaigns, creating social media content, and assisting in fundraising efforts.
JAY SWEITZER-SHALIT (HE/HIM)
Fair Employment Project
In my work at the Fair Employment Project, a small employment legal aid group, I conducted research as requested by the supervising attorney. My favorite part of research was building a bespoke spreadsheet containing 14 different pieces of information about all 47 state Human Rights Commissions to enable legal aid groups to compare them.
JOHNNA SZKUDLAREK (SHE/HER)
Brookville Local Schools Library
Through SPARK, I created a new ESL section and expanded the World Culture section of my school's library. I'm happy I got to contribute to a more wellrounded learning space, and I learned so much about selecting books and learning materials for middle-school children.
EDWARD THOMAS (HE/HIM)
BRIA of Westmont, Long-Term Care Facility
I was working on outreach to increase volunteer engagement at a long-term care facility I have been working at, as volunteer engagement plummeted during COVID. Taking a more active role in outreach and collaboration let me develop my communication and servant leadership skills, which I hope to take with me towardsacareerofpublicservice.
ERIC TONG (HE/HIM)
I worked to help the math team at my local high school by creating additional resources--primarily videos--explaining different concepts and increasing accessibility to participating in math competitions. Through my project, I learned more about teaching others and the process that goes into developing a curriculum, and I plan on using this information to help teach others in the future.
Grapevine High School's Math Team
JESSICA UGBOMAH FARLEY
(SHE/HER)
Frenford Clubs
I'm thrilled to be volunteering for a charity where I'll get to play a range of sports, combining my love for a diverse range of athletics with a chance to make a positive impact on the community. It's an incredible opportunity to have fun, stay active, and support a great cause all at once! I'm excited to inspire and guide the youth, sharing my love for sports while helping them develop their skills and confidence. I hope to gain the rewarding experience of watching them grow, both as athletes and individuals, and to hopefully make a lasting positive impact on their lives.
MERVEILLE UWASE (SHE/HER)
I worked to advocate for tree planting in my local community to combat the pressing issue of global warming. Through doorknocking, canvassing and advocacy towards the mayor, I was able to raise awareness about the importance of increasing tree planting in rural areas of my town that have adequate space for trees to offset the GHG emissions stemming from infrastructure development. My SPARK experience has contributed to shaping me into a more powerful public servant, encouraging me to use my voice and resources to bring about meaningful gradual change!
Youth Ottawa
SHALLON UWASE (SHE/HER)
Dihiro Primary School
This Summer, I will establish a series of workshops for local teachers and our club members to teach basic computer skills, focusing on pedagogical strategies that leverage new technologies and interactive learning methodologies. I am excited about the opportunity to support students from humble backgrounds like mine, and shape perspectivesinformedbyexperiences.
CELINA VARCHAUSKY (SHE/HER)
Greenpeace Argentina
I worked for Greenpeace Argentina by collecting and analyzing data! I signed an NDA for them so I can't go into too much detail haha but what I can say is that I essentially had to report back on what was happening in the moment concerning climate on a social and political scale nationally. From forest fires in Córdoba to someone on twitter saying "Greenpeace you suck!!" I had to be aware of it, filter it and determine what was relevant and important. I was taught how to use their tools and worked in a team - it was a really cool experience. My work will be really useful to Greenpeace in the form of analytical reports of events that took all over Argentina (as well as in Chile and Colombia) during the month of July :]
TANYA VIDHUN (SHE/HER)
Girl Up USA
This summer I created a basic women’s health education curriculum to teach adolescent girls in underserved community to understand how to better take care of their health and bodies. Working with my host organization, Girl Up USA, and a local summer program for Title I students (GOALS), I led a two-week health program with sessions focused on different areas of girls' health such as menstruation, vaccinations & preventative care, social media usage, body image, skincare, and more. Because our group only included five middle-school girls, we had open conversations about our health, and I enjoyed building a meaningful relationship and trust with each student.
The opportunity to lead the SPARK project has helped me grow as a leader since, for the first time, I was able to design a curriculum I cared deeply about from scratch and impart my knowledge on younger girls in my community. This experience has fueled my passion for public service, and I hope to continue to integrate women's health and mentorship with young girls in my community and beyond in the future.
MICHELLE VO (SHE/HER)
With SPARK, I will be working under the guidance of Angola’s Community School Association to support the Escola Novo Amanhã – a free school I founded aiming to support children in need. My specific goal over the summer is to create and develop curriculums in subject areas such as English by developing resources and hosting workshops with teachers in person. I hope that over the course of this summer, I am able to make a positive impact here in Angola as well as learn from others on the myriad of ways people are bringing about social change around the world.
Escola Novo Amanhã
DANIEL WANG (HE/HIM)
The Frazer School
This summer, I will be focused on organizing and running a high-quality physics camp to teach real and competitive physics to students while showing them that there is more out there and that they are capable of more. I am looking forward to using SPARK to better improve my ability to carry out my visions now and in the future.
DUSTIN WEYAND
(HE/HIM)
Office of Congressman John Duarte
This summer I had the unique privilege of assisting veterans in California's 13th Congressional District under Congressman John Duarte. As a recently discharged veteran, I had the unique experience of navigating the VA's claim process. In doing so, I was able to assist the primary caseworker in expediting progress on cases and extrapolating case information. In addition, I had the tremendous privilege of working with local community leaders, ranging from community college and state universities to Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) and the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. This project made the difficult process of transitioning to civilian life an extraordinarily better experience, to which I am tremendously thankful to SPARK.
KILEY WILHELM (SHE/HER)
This summer I worked at the Matthews HELP Center. It is an organization devoted to helping people in crisis. I was able to become a part of an incredible community, with dedicated individuals. I learned about myself and formed relationships that I will carry with me to Harvard.
Matthews HELP Center
HARLIE WILLIAMS (SHE/HER)
Project LINK, Inc.
This summer, I served as a volunteer coordinator for Project LINK's Back-2-School Health Clinics which provides free routine immunizations, school physicals, and immunization record transfers to families who are uninsured, underinsured, or receive Medicaid. By providing these essential services, the clinics help ensure that students are enrolled in Hillsborough County Schools on time, ready to learn, and healthy. Throughout my time, I partnered with several hospitals, health departments, universities, corporates groups, and community based organizations. Volunteers filled various roles, such as: immunization support, physical examination, database entry, patient triage/escort, language translation, etc. As a volunteer coordinator, I managed and staffed over 500 volunteers across seven pop-up clinics.
MAKSIM YERVANDYAN (HE/HIM)
Community Development NGO
The purpose of this project is to address discrimination against forcibly displaced Artsakh citizens. It aims to create a collaborative platform for participants from Armenia and Artsakh in cooperation with the Community Development NGO. I will connect participants with mentors and psychologists with the help of the Community Development NGO. Through webinars and hybrid mentorship programs, participants learn about diversity and the importance of empathy. This process was smoother as they work on team-based project proposals for about a month.
ADRIAN YIN (HE/HIM)
Kinship Community Food Center
I continued my volunteer work with a local food pantry, scaling my impact and finding new ways to help out in my community. I had meaningful conversations with community members going through difficult times and it helped me start personal growth as well.
VERONICA YU (SHE/HER)
New Rochelle Council on the Arts
Looking to increase the connectivity of New Rochelle, I worked with the New Rochelle Council on the Arts to implement a three part project focused on giving people a voice and listening to stories. We installed a gallery of Humans of New Rochelle interviews, featuring 13 New Rochelle residents' stories and an interactive section for viewers to write their own stories. Then, to teach children to shape the idea of their identities themselves, we held pop-up workshops where children drew self-portraits, highlighted things they loved, and created comic strips of life moments. To end off the project, we held a panel discussion with two local historians on the topic of learning about New Rochelle voices through the ages as we detailed interviews stretching from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Doing this project taught me more about the actual subject of the project and reason why I was doing this project. I learned a lot more about New Rochelle history and the people that have made that history and I learned how meaningful it is for people to feel heard.
JIIN YUN (SHE/HER)
The Recycling Dictionary
The Recycling Dictionary, a nonprofit organization that aims to teach the public about proper recycling, will branch out their current efforts with a new podcast and article corner. I hope I can connect with fellow Harvard students who are committed to public service.
SOPHIA ZHANG (SHE/HER)
The Reach Foundation
This summer, I had the privilege of working remotely with The Reach Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering firstgeneration, low-income students of color to access higher education and job opportunities. My primary project involved developing a comprehensive grant writing repository to streamline the organization’s fundraising efforts, which will ultimately benefit underserved students in my hometown of San Jose, California. Through the process, I've learned a lot about the grantwritingprocessaswellasdatamanagement.
BRIAN ZHOU (HE/THEY)
Civics Unplugged
My SPARK project focused on helping high school students passionate about various aspects of policy in their local, state, and national communities to learn how to meaningfully communicate their interests and ideas to policymakers. I worked with them to compile their ideas into policy memos and reach out to advocate to specific lawmakers. This project was so meaningful for me as it allowed me to give back to the same communities that helped me become a greater advocate and voice growing up and support a new generation of students interested in the intersections of policy with various fields.
JEFFREY ZHOU (HE/HIM)
True Love for Hope
During SPARK, I had the opportunity to get to work with True Love, a nonprofit I've worked with since middle school that provides free educational opportunities for children with special needs. My project centered mainly around updating their website in order to attract families in desperate need of such programs as well as volunteers able to contribute their time. Throughout the program, I pitched different website designs to the nonprofit's leadership team, sat in on board meetings, communicated with previous developers, and revamped the look and function of the website. Near the end of my project, I hosted training sessions to onboard volunteers and teach them web design in case future updates need to be made. As well as my official SPARK project, I completed a 6 week project management internship (time not included above) at the nonprofit Meals on Wheels Atlanta to help them run their meal programs for impoverished and homebound seniors.
WE OUR COHORT LEADERS!
Thank you SO much for all of your hard work supporting the SPARKlers this summer! We GREATLY appreciate you!
YOU ALL -LED THIS YEAR!
Congratulations on completing your OUTSTANDING projects!
Your hard work and dedication have made a meaningful impact on your communities and we’re incredibly proud of all you’ve accomplished. Thank you for all of your amazing work this summer and we can’t wait to see the impact that you will have on the Harvard community over the next four years and beyond!
