T H E P H I L L I P S B R O O K S H O U S E A S S O C I A T I O N C E N T E R F O R P U B L I C S E R V I C E A N D E N G A G E D S C H O L A R S H I P
H A R V A R D C O L L E G E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
W H A T I S S P A R K ?
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 at Harvard College.
99
MEMBERS OF THE HARVARD CLASS OF 2028 ARE SPARK FELLOWS
7,920+
HOURS OF SERVICE DEDICATED BY SPARK FELLOWS TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS
W H A T I S P H I L L I P S B R O O K S H O U S E ?
The Phillips Brooks House Center for Public Service 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 Greater Boston community
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Dear SPARK Fellows,
For more than a century, Harvard College students have engaged in meaningful community service through programs at Phillips Brooks House. Today, Phillips Brooks House is a vibrant and growing department offering curricular and cocurricular programs to prepare Harvard College students with the knowledge and tools needed to meet the challenges facing our society. Through coursework, volunteerism, community activism and preprofessional experiences, we offer multiple pathways for students to engage in public service. We work closely with a wide range of partners to ensure that our programs address critical community needs By participating in our programs, Harvard students can make important contributions to social welfare and develop a strong sense of public purpose and commitment to civic good.
We welcome you to the Phillips Brooks House!
Please do not hesitate to contact us with ideas, questions and feedback at publicservice@fas.harvard.edu.
Julie Reuben Charles Warren Professor of the History of Education, Faculty Director
Travis Lovett Assistant Dean, Civic Engagement and Service
Dear Harvard College Admitted Student,
Congratulations again on your acceptance to Harvard College!
As Dean of Harvard College, one of my highest priorities is to advance our mission of educating citizens and citizen-leaders for our society At Harvard, we aspire to create a culture where every student is civically engaged in a meaningful way. While there are many ways that you can make a positive impact in your community and beyond, I want to draw your attention today to an exciting program which I hope you will take advantage of this summer
SPARK is an internship program for incoming first-year students that enables them to participate in civic engagement in their hometowns during the six weeks prior to the start of the fall semester. Now in its fourth year, the SPARK program gives students the opportunity to apply their ideas and energy to public service projects at home while receiving ongoing support from Harvard’s faculty and public service staff I encourage you to click on the link above to learn more about this program, and I hope you will consider becoming a Harvard College Service Fellow.
When you arrive on campus in the fall, you will find many opportunities to contribute to communities around Harvard through the programs we offer at the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship. You will have the chance to learn more about those communities at the Class of 2028 Day of Service, which you will hear more about in the weeks ahead. We hope your experiences at Harvard both in the classroom and in the community will become the foundation for lifelong engagement in your community I look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Semper Veritas, Rakesh Khurana Danoff Dean of Harvard College
Hello SPARKlers!
My name is Emily Maguire (she/her), and I joined the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship (CPSES) this summer as the Director of Pathways to Practice. I’m thrilled to be part of the SPARK team and to have the opportunity to support all of you as you pursue public service work around the world!
In addition to SPARK, I oversee summer and winter internship programs and support students interested in post-graduate opportunities in public service. Before joining CPSES, I worked with the Harvard Global Health Institute for eight years. I have an undergraduate degree in psychology from Boston College and a Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Outside of work, I love baking, spending time outdoors, and refinishing furniture I’m passionate about supporting students interested in public service, so please feel free to reach out to me I’d love to connect with you!
Sam (she/her)
Assistant Director of Nonprofit Pathways
Emily Maguire (she/her)
Director of Pathways to Practice
Hello SPARK'lers! My name is Sam and I have the privilege of serving as the Assistant Director of Nonprofit Pathways at the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship! In my role on campus, I provide programmatic oversight for a variety of summer fellowship experiences, winter break service opportunities, and post-graduate employment pathways that assist students in gaining hands on experience in the public interest sector. Originally from Southern Rhode Island, I was actively involved with my community at a young age I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Biology and Latin American Studies from the University of New England and a Master of Education in Community Engagement and Higher Education from Merrimack College I am passionate about providing accessible pathways for students to engage within their communities and explore the field of public service I am thrilled to be able to support you in your efforts to make a difference in your hometowns before coming to Harvard this fall! In my free time, you will find me adventuring outside with my cocker spaniel, Luna, and husband, Drew I love to run, hike, ski, kayak, camp, and explore National Parks I look forward to meeting you this summer!
Welcome to SPARK! My name is Evelyn Lee and I'm the Pathways to Practice Assistant. My hometown is Pleasantville, NY. I love SPARK because it brings together passionate changemakers to build community even before getting to Harvard. I went to Tulane University and I also graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the Human Development and Education program. Outside of work, I love exploring the outdoors, trying new foods and restaurants, and playing the ukulele! I am so excited to meet you and help support your SPARK project this summer!
Lirio Morales Ibarra (she/her/ella) Graduate Assistant
Evelyn Lee (she/her)
Pathways to Practice Assistant
Hello SPARKlers!! I’m Lirio Morales Ibarra, and I’ve had a blast learning from your projects. Originally from Calhoun, GA, I've been engaged in public service since undergrad and even started my own nonprofit venture. It is incredibly refreshing to hear your passions and ideas. You are our future! It makes me excited to see relationships forming throughout the course of SPARK, and I can’t wait to see you continuing to make an impact at Harvard!
Some more about me: I graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in May 2024 and my mission is to advance equity and empowerment through education. I loveee pickleball, volleyball, and generally love learning new hobbies
Hiya SPARKlers! My name is Faythe and I am the Pathways to Practice Graduate Assistant at the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship I am from Warwick, Rhode Island, I graduated from Allegheny College in 2023, and I just graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Outside of work, I love crafting, baking (especially banana bread), and spending time outside whether that be hiking, hammocking, or simply exploring! I am SO excited to be a part of the SPARK family this Summer! Please feel free to reach out if I can support you or your projects in any way!
Jack Tripp (he/him) Graduate Assitant
Faythe Schulte (she/her)
Graduate Assistant
Hi SPARKlers! My name is Jack and I’m one of the graduate assistants at the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship. I’m originally from Westport, MA, and after graduating from Yale in 2023 I came to Harvard Divinity School, where I’m about to enter my second (and final!) year. When I’m not working with CPSES or finishing my coursework, I love to read, cook, and make art. I’m so excited to witness your great work this summer!
Hi everyone! My name is David Johnson Aboge, and I am a Kenyan rising senior in Adams House concentrating in Applied Mathematics, with a secondary in Near East Languages & Civilizations I have also just earned my language citation in Arabic Outside class, I am primarily involved with the Harvard African Students Association (HASA), Harvard College Debating Union (HCDU), and the Institute of Politics (IOP) I am also a student coordinator for the Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI) under the Admissions & Financial Aid office My favorite memories in SPARK include the fun "Harvard Hacks" informal orientation session last year, and the amazing bonds that I have made in the amazing program for the past 3 years Having being a SPARKler in 2021 and a cohort leader in 2022 & 2023, I have met dozens of amazing students (including in their home cities during the SPARK program) who have done a lot of impactful things in society While I have met some of my best friends from SPARK, the SPARK team has been an integral part of my college journey by always supporting me with information regarding all public service opportunities at Harvard and beyond. I am so excited for you to experience the love in SPARK this summer and beyond, and feel free to reach out to me with any inquiries about SPARK or anything else. Let’s go! M E E T S P A R K ' S C O H O R T L E A D
SPARK Cohort Leaders are undergraduate students charged with supporting SPARK Fellows throughout their summer and beyond
David Johnson Aboge (he/him)
Hometown: Kisumu, Kenya
Ananya Choudhary (she/her)
Hometown:
Lucknow, India
Hello everyone! My name is Ananya Choudhary I am from Lucknow, India and currently a rising sophomore at the college planning to study Government and Statistics. At the moment, I’m a part of the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations at the college where I work as an associate of Conference Programming and I am also deeply involved in South Asian groups like Dharma, Deepam, and the South Asian Association. I am a part of the International Relations Council where I help in the organisation of the Harvard Model UN conferences I personally am interested in learning about strategy, conflict management and finance and have lately been working in the Ed-Tech field. I look forward to working with everyone this summer in SPARK and can’t wait to relive all the memories I made last year as an incoming freshman SPARK was the first introduction to college culture for me and it truly boosted my confidence and helped me a lot as an international student to navigate through campus life!
Feel free to reach out to me via email to chat about SPARK or any of my other co-curricular involvements!
SPARK Cohort Leaders are undergraduate students charged with supporting SPARK Fellows throughout their summer and beyond
Hi! I’m Katherine, a rising Senior from Montreal, Canada in Pfoho! I am pursuing a double concentration in Economics and Statistics on the Data Science Track At Harvard, I stay active through club figure skating, and the occasional run along the Charles I am also a Student Director on the Board of the Coop and a Co-Chair for An Evening with Champions, an annual figure skating show that raises money for cancer research I was previously involved in the leadership of Harvard Consulting for Business and the Environment (CBE) and the Harvard International Review. Outside of school, you can find me exploring Boston, or having long conversations with friends over coffee and a croissant. As a SPARKler myself, I was excited to contribute to a local organization promoting financial literacy and entrepreneurship I also met a community of amazing students who were passionate about giving back to their hometowns and reducing injustices two of them just happened to be my roommates :) Please feel free to reach out via email to chat about SPARK, Harvard, or my interests and extracurriculars
Mirika Jambudi (she/her)
Hometown: Edison, NJ
Katherine Jackson (she/her)
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Hi! I'm Mirika Jambudi, a rising sophomore concentrating in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Economics I am originally from Edison, New Jersey (the best state), and I now live in Mather House. I am passionate about making healthcare more accessible and equitable. On campus, I am involved with the Crimson's blog Flyby, Experimentors, Student-Astronomers at Harvard Radcliffe (STAHR), and Prescriptions which is the premed society's medical humanities journal In my free time, I love hiking, spending time outdoors, and watching performances (musicals, plays, concerts, improv, and more!) on campus Feel free to reach out at any time to chat about SPARK or any of the other extracurriculars I am involved with! I had the opportunity to be a SPARKler last year as an incoming first-year and I am so excited for all of you to experience this amazing program and join the SPARK community I am thrilled for the opportunity to give back to this amazing community as a leader this summer I cannot wait to meet all of you and be inspired over the course of the program!
M E E T S P A R K ' S C O H O R T L E A D E R S
SPARK Cohort Leaders are undergraduate students charged with supporting SPARK Fellows throughout their summer and beyond
Francisca Lamini (she/her)
Hometown: Dabala, Ghana
Hi Everyone! My name is Francisca Lamini and I come from DabalaintheVoltaRegionofGhana.IamarisingjuniorinMather House on the premed track studying Molecular and Cellular Biologywithasecondaryinglobalhealthandhealthpolicy.Iam verypassionateaboutmedicineandaddressinghealthdisparities within societies. I’m also deeply committed to public service, which has led me to participate in various activities, including volunteering at homeless shelters and hospitals, as well as working with less-privileged children in different neighborhoods across Boston. On campus, I hold leadership positions within affinity and pre-health groups. But my absolute favorite part of myjourneyisSPARK—aspacewhereIgettomeetpeoplefrom diversebackgroundsandlearnfromtheiruniqueexperiences.It’s fascinating to see how individuals can have such varying perspectivesonaparticularsubject,andIfeelhonoredtolearn fromeachoneofthemthroughSPARK.Pleasefeelfreetoreach outtomeviaemailtochataboutSPARK,premed,oranyofmy co-curricularinvolvements.
Hi! My name is Chris Mesfin and I'm a rising junior in Pforzheimer House double concentrating in Economics and Environmental Science and Public Policy, and I'm from Columbia, Missouri On campus I'm on the Mock Trial Team, love doing work with the Clean Energy Group (HUCEG), am a First-Year Outdoor Program (FOP) leader, a member of the Crimson Key Society, and am a Peer Advising Fellow (PAF) When I was a SPARKler I worked for Missouri River Relief and put on a summer camp for 7th graders who had limited access to the outdoors I also helped the organization plan a fundraising campaign that ran the following fall. My project led perfectly into my professional interests that I've pursued at Harvard which was one of my favorite parts about my SPARK experience Over time my interests have grown to now, as I'm interested in quantitative social science research and want to continue being a researcher after I graduate and maybe get a PhD I love talking about all things SPARK and Harvard so please reach out to me if you'd like to chat about either!
Chris Mesfin (he/him)
Hometown: Columbia, MO
SPARK Cohort Leaders are undergraduate students charged with supporting SPARK Fellows throughout their summer and beyond
My name is Lydia Qin, and I am a rising junior in Mather House concentrating in Applied Math (focused in Economics and Computer Science) and a secondary in History of Science As a Los Angeles native, I enjoy watching sunsets, hiking, and playing frisbee at the beach On campus, I am part of the Ultimate Frisbee team and the Women in Computer Science organization I am also a volunteer for Food Labs, which is a group of Harvard undergraduates that teaches cooking and nutrition to kids in the local Cambridge area. When I participated in SPARK, I assisted a non-profit organization in my community that focused on helping deaf children and their families. My SPARK experience was full of meaningful reflections and insightful discussions I really enjoyed meeting new people through SPARK events and building strong friendships with them on campus Feel free to reach out to me at lydiaqin@college harvard edu if you would like to chat more about SPARK or any of my involvements on campus
Hey everyone I'm Namirah a proud Canadian and rising senior in Eliot House studying neuroscience On campus, I help run the Automotive Society and Neuroscience Society, and am also involved in dance and entrepreneurial spaces! SPARK has been one of my favourite experiences at Harvard and I am super excited to be a cohort leader again Please reach out anytime (namirahquadir@college harvard edu) to talk fish, startups, languages, or why mint chocolate chip ice cream is the worst ice cream flavour M E E T S P A R K ' S C
Namirah Quadir (she/her)
Hometown: Canada
Lydia Qin (she/her)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Hi there! My name is Laurel (they/them), and I am a Sophomore in Dunster studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. I'm originally from a small town in north Alabama, and I am incredibly passionate about health and education equity research. Academically, I intend to pursue stem cell research in disease treatment (think cancer, diabetes, etc ) On campus, I write about homelessness and housing issues in Cambridge for The Harvard Crimson, serve as one of the tech associates for The Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal, and work as the communications director for Harvard UNICEF My SPARK summer was the BEST experience of my pre-frosh summer, and being able to connect and contribute to my community before leaving for Harvard was an opportunity I am eternally grateful for If you have questions (about SPARK, other activities, life in general), feel free to reach out to me via email! Can't wait for the best SPARK summer yet!
Laurel Shugart (they/them)
Hometown: Alabama
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)
Hometown: North Andover, MA
Hometown: Islamabad
Neighbors in Need
I will be doing client facing work with Neighbors in Need in their diaper and food pantries. I will also be building a survey to be used for grant writing to meet increased need for NiN services in the Merrimack Valley. I am excited to meet other students interested in service at Harvard and give back to my hometown community.
Muhammad Zohaib Abbas (he/him)
Eli Abel (he/him)
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Community Refugee and Immigration Services
This summer, I will be working with CRIS to help newly immigrated refugee families in Columbus, OH, ensuring they have all the necessary resources and support as they adjust to their new community In addition to working with individual families, I hope to create more efficient pathways to local transportation, technology, and food initiatives, enabling future refugee families to have improved access to such needs. I'm very excited to work with local families as well as learn from peers and mentors through the SPARK Program!
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 Genderoppressiveculturaltraditions.
Aisha Ahmed (she/her)
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn
This summer I will run an alumni reengagement program with Club teens to give them mentorship opportunities. We will create a stronger sense of community between the Club and Club alumni, and help current teen members prepare for success as adults. I look forward to using SPARK as an opportunity to have a lasting impact on my home and developpersonalleadershipskills.
Styves Barros Miranda (he/him)
Hometown: Seabra, Bahia, Brazil
Rani Amin (she/her)
Hometown: Woburn, MA
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 I look forward to empowering students with essential math skills and creating lasting educational resources. Through this experience, I hope to make a meaningful impact on students' academic futures
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Friday Night Live
Daniel Perez Becerra (he/him)
Hometown: El Salinas, CA
Western Region Robotics Forum
Monterey County's Friday Night Live aims to develop projects at the Salinas Office to provide services for the community such as a new NARCAN box accessible by the public, prevent substance abuse by means of a T.U.P.E Project (Tobacco-use Prevention Education: reducing youth tobacco use by helping young people make healthful tobacco-related decisions through tobacco-specific, researchvalidated educational instruction and activities that build knowledge as well as social skills and youth development assets), and an CA Office of Traffic Safety Public Service Announcement I will plan, execute, and polish these projects as a student volunteer. As an incoming freshman, I look forward to building community with peers who share the same passion and spark for community service. I look forward to building relationships with the people in SPARK and being able to arrive to campus in the fall already having some friends!
I will be working with WRRF to create accessible digital resources for students who participate in FIRST robotics. I'm looking forward to giving back to the robotics community that I have been a part of for 7+ years.
Anchal Bhardwaj (she/her)
Hometown: San Jose, CA
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Bay Area Friendship Circle
This summer, I’ll be working with Bay Area Friendship Circle to support recreationalprogramsforspecialneeds youth, including art classes, music classes, and a two-week day camp. I’ll also help with recruiting and retaining a dedicated base of teen volunteers. I’m super excited to meet like-minded classmates in SPARK and make public servicepartofmyHarvardexperience!
Megan Blonigen (she/her)
Hometown: Eden Valley, MN
Tejas Billa (he/him)
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Eden Valley-Watkins Community Education
This summer, I will be organizing a week-long theater camp for elementary school students to promote our school’s theater program! Support for our performing arts activities has dwindled over the years, and this summer camp will help encourage participation with fun games, educational activities, and a great performance at the end of the week, while teaching kids about creativity, confidence, and collaboration! I am excited to meet fellow students in the Class of 2028 who are passionate about their communities, and I am hoping to collaborate with them on how I can makemyprojectbetter!
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Ryan Brewington (he/him)
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
ElderNet
This summer, I will work with ElderNet to deliver meals to the elderly population of Lower Merion and Narberth as well as assist with daily tasks such as yard work, grocery delivery, and managing emails and household technology. I will also spend time with elders who don’t have family nearby, discussing current events, playing board games, and generally providing companionship. I look forward to encouraging other high school students in the Philadelphia area to connect with their elderly neighbors, especially those elders who lack a neighborhood connection and who aren’t in touch with their families I also look forward to meeting the other students at Harvard who are committed to community service and part of the SPARK program.
Pockets Full of Sunshine
I will be designing and promoting a summer program where I and other volunteers can encourage mental and physical health for people with special needs through various sports, habits and classes. I am looking forward to creating a fun experience with the Rays where we can develop and share our skills! In addition, I’m excited to be a part of a community dedicated to public service!
Anthony Bynum (he/him)
Hometown: Hilton Head Island, SC
Ignite Dance Team
This summer, I will be focusing on creating fundraising resources and promoting community engagement for the Ignite Dance Team inorder toensure its longevity as a quality, inclusive dance team for years to come. I’m looking forward to utilizing the professional resources and connections that are offered in order to continue serving my communityinameaningfulway.
Samantha Capehard (she/her)
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Angela Calderon Pio (she/her)
Hometown: Escondido, CA
The City of Charlottesville
Over the summer, I am working with my local government to design a year-round low-barrier entry overnight homeless shelter. My city's unhoused population has increased substantially in the past few years, and the few existing local shelters are unable to meet the needs of this growing community. Although I can hardly wait to begin my new life in Cambridge this fall, I love my hometown and the people who live there. I am excited to use SPARK as an opportunity to give back to Charlottesville while engaging with other Harvard students who are passionate aboutpublicservice.
STEM Roots
This summer, I will develop a curriculum for the STEM Roots community service aimed at empowering Spanish-speaking students by leveraging their native language skills to enhance their English and STEM learning. This project seeks to promote students' confidence in their linguistic and cultural heritage, celebrate diversity, and transform the educational landscape by recognizing Spanish as a powerful asset in the learning process Through the work on my project, I am excited to immerse myself in Harvard's public service community and hope to be able to leverage Harvard’s resources for the advancement of educational equity.
Feker Chane (she/her)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
UNESCO Hong Kong Association Sasha Caracalos (she/her)
Hometown: Princeton NJ
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
Hi all! I am Wilson Cheung from Hong Kong (he/him/his). This summer, I will work with the UNESCO Hong Kong Association, where I will help organize its annual model UNESCO conferences for local and international participants, and help develop a program that engages more Hong Kong secondary school students with the organization's efforts in climate change. I look forward to interacting with Hong Kong youths who are passionate about climate change, and SPARK some changes with Harvard's mentorship.
Wilson Cheung (he/him)
Hometown: Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Boys and Girls Club of Providence
Sebastian Connolly (he/him)
Hometown: Providence, RI
I will be working with the Boys and Girls Club of Providence to design and lead educational activities for students in their summer program, which this year is facing reduced funding. I hope to connect with other incoming students and make a positive impact for kids in my hometown.
Ocean County 4-H
Pollinatorsareessentialtoourenvironment, but unfortunately, populations of pollinators are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, and diseases. I plan to work with my local 4H to create a video series aimed to teach the youngest members, the Cloverbuds, ages 5-7 about the importance of pollinators and what they can do to help them. I am excited to hopefully inspire the next generation of beekeepers and environmentalists. I also look forward to working with and creating friendships with the like-minded SPARK Fellows who are passionate to create changewithintheircommunities.
Kaitlun Culbert (she/her)
Hometown: Toms River, NJ
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
The Philippine Space Agency
Through the Philippine Space Agency’s PINAS project, I aim to empower local government units, agencies, and universities in utilizing space data for sustainability I hope to influence policy making through developing training modules, streamlining data distribution processes, and conducting stakeholder consultations I look forward to applying all that I gain from the SPARK program to elevate Philippine space and sustainability capabilities!
Sophie Diaz (she/her)
Hometown:
Orangevale, CA
Hometown: Metro Manila, Philippines
Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm
I’m helping the Orangevale Fair Oaks Food Bank Farm create an educational area so that people can give themselves self-guided walking tours to learn more about how the farm incorporates sustainable farming practices and how to bring those practices home to their gardens. I also help on the farm with planting, harvesting, and weeding; additionally, I am a Farm Camp volunteer. I hope to learn more about how 501c3 organizations are run and to leave a lasting impact on the community farm!
Joaquin Gabriel Malachi de Castro (he/him)
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
David Dickson (he/him)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Chicago Youth Program
This summer, I will be working with the Chicago Youth Program to create comprehensive math worksheets for middle and high school students. My work will help nurture interest in STEM fields for students in underrepresented communities and build a strong mathematical foundation to succeed in their future endeavors I am excited to join a cohort of passionate youth who want to make a change in their communities! I am looking forward to learning about solutions my peers have developed to remedy issues important to them.
Florida State Representative
Rita Harris
This summer, I will address period poverty in Central Florida by implementing a menstrual product and education distribution program. Throughtheseefforts,Iaimtoempowerlowincome menstruators to manage their menstrual health with dignity, feel confident in educational and work settings, and break the cycle of period stigma. I am excited to join this community of service-minded leaders and collaborate to create actionable change!
Ashley Ding (she/her)
Hometown: Orlando, FL
The South Carolina Bar Law Related Education Division & Charleston County School District
This summer, I’m excited to curate an interactive law curriculum aligned with South Carolina’s social studies standards for first, third, and fifth graders in partnership with the SC Bar’s LawRelated Education Division to empower the youth to become active citizens in our democracy. These will serve as a supplement to our elementary school mock trial program and will be piloted in CCSD Kaleidoscope summer camps. Through SPARK, I’m honored to be able to pass down my commitment to civic engagement to the next generation of students in my home state. I’m also eager to join a community of change-makers with diverse backgrounds fueling their own service journeys.
Andrew
Dong (he/him)
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Harry Ding (he/him)
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, SC
Melrose Meadows Retirement Community
This summer, I will be focusing my efforts with Melrose Meadows Retirement Community in my hometown. I will be teaching a mental health curriculum to the senior residents there. I am really looking forward to the mentorship and relations that I will build with both the incoming students in my class and the current Harvard student mentors. I can’t wait to serve my community through SPARK! M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Hometown:Taunton, MA
Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce
This summer, I will be focused on multiple projects that range from graphic design and communications to research and planning for Diverse businesses. These projects will increase the promotion of nonprofits, give new entrepreneurs a network of information and resources to thrive, and promote small businesses I am excited to learn from Harvard faculty and students about their experiences with public service at Harvard. I want to connect with the Harvard community, learn from my incoming classmates about their projects and views of service, and offer my perspectives
Brookline Community Development Corporation
This summer, I will work with the Brookline Community Development Corporation to attack housing insecurity in the Boston area. My work will help the unhoused find the housing and services they need, and raise awareness of the lack of affordable housing in Greater Boston. I am looking forward to working with other SPARK Fellows and leaders so I canbetterservemycommunity.
James Dyalchand-Ericson (he/him)
Hometown: Brookline, MA
Condoleezza Dwuye (she/her)
Bangladesh Association, Houston
This summer, I am working with the Bangladesh Association, Houston to help raise funds more efficiently to contribute towards the construction of the Bangladesh American Center. The completion of this center will create a place that all Bangladeshis can rely on as a cultural haven in Houston. Through my summer with SPARK I hope to gain leadership skills while directing my projects and also meet a community of students interested in contributing to the betterment of their respective communities.
Sajid Fahmid (he/him)
Hometown: Richmond, TX
Gianmarco Fedele (he/him)
Hometown: Rome, Italy
Save the Children
This summer, I will be focused on helping children with study, mental and social support. My work will protect children from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and guarantee the right to education, without discrimination. Through Spark, I am excited to serve my community and I look forward to connecting with a network of students who are strongly committed to public service!
Iseult Fitzpatrick (she/her)
Hometown: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Secondary Students Union of Northern Ireland (SSUNI)
My work for this organization will include meal plans, updating the socio-emotional learning curriculum for the kids, work intake of donations, and assisting in website design/ improvement I look forward to establishing a service relationship with a non profit that does such amazing work I hope to gain more insight and understanding of how a non profit operates and ways in which I can make a positive impact.This summer I will be completing a SPARK Project with the Secondary Students Union of Northern Ireland (SSUNI) to provide resource packs along with webinars and other support to students applying for universities. I will particularly focus on applications to highly competitive universities and universities in America where Northern Irish students are consistently underrepresented and moreover unsupported in the application process. The aim of this is to increase both the application and success rate for underrepresented students at top universities by bridged some of the resource gaps which exist. I hope to further the impact I have had in SSUNI through my project and gain a greater range of skills in how to reach and positively engage with as many young people as possible
Tenants and Workers United
I am working with TWU to operate and expand their academic enrichment programs for under served youth in Northern Virginia. I cannot wait to see the positive impact I make in my community during my SPARK Summer. I am extremely excited to partner with those in the SPARK program and at Tenants and Workers United.
Hometown: Alexandria, VA M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Abigail Gerstein (she/her)
Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need
This summer, I will be leading a group of volunteers in searching and applying to grants, so that BFHNN can expand food insecurity services as well as provide services for the new schools in the area. I'm looking forward to meeting people in Cambridge-Boston who are involved in public service, so that I have those relationships when I get on campus in the fall.
Tyler Glover (she/her)
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
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Annie Gombiner (she/her)
Hometown:
New Rochelle, NY
New Rochelle Council on the Arts
I will be curating an exhibit for Humans of New Rochelle, sharing the oral histories and photographs of New Rochelleans in the City Hall Rotunda Gallery. I will also be teaching workshops at community events and hosting a panel discussion to teach about the importance of sharing your story. I am excited to connect with people in New Rochelle and meet my new classmates at Harvard
Leavens Kids
Caitlyn
Gonzalez (she/her)
Hometown: Vacaville, CA M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Arlington Charities
This summer, I'm leading a "STEM Bootcamp" to provide engaging and practical STEM education to at-risk youth, culminating in a "Community Science Fair" that showcases their projects and promotes community engagement in STEM learning Our collaboration with Leaven's Kids aims to bridge educational gaps and foster a sustained interest in science and technology among participants. I am so beyond excited to immerse 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 summer, I will be working with Arlington Charities solving logistical problems and executing “mini-projects” in order to increase the number of people they are able to serve. Through my efforts, I will help increase the number of low-income families receiving fresh groceries, adults receiving educational instruction in life skill courses, and homeless people utilizing our clean bus. I am most excited to connect with other members of the Harvard SPARK community and bounce ideas off each other on how we can make a differenceinourworld.
Gutierrez Berlanga (he/him)
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Emiliano
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Delta Redefines
I am working with a selfstartednonprofit catered towards advancing education in the MidSouth, particularly Northeast Arkansas! I am looking forward to gaining resources that will allow me to pour back into my own community
Gabriella Hernandez (she/her)
Hometown: Milton, MA
Coby Hayes (he/him)
Hometown: Marion, AR
Fresh Truck
This summer, I will help map out the Fresh Trucks social impact events and programming and work to support and strengthen the Fresh Truck Community Engagement Program and social media presence. I am looking forward to experiencing the managerial side of an organization that I previously volunteered at in a more hands-on way. I’m also super excited to meet fellow incoming freshmen!
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Courtney Hines (she/her)
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Da Vinci Art Studio
Multiracial Americans of Southern California
This summer, I will be writing a novella of short stories accounting the experiences of multiracial people. By collaborating with Multiracial Americans of Southern California, I aim to help create content that supports and connects the mixed community. I'm excited to build community with people who share a love for service like me!
This summer, I will work with the Da Vinci Art Studio to create art programming and outreaches for the local community, giving students of all socioeconomic backgrounds opportunities to make and share art. I aim toengagestudentsincreatingartwhilealso teaching the history and cultural significance of art that results from a nation’s unique social and environmental ecosystems.ThroughSPARK,Iamexcitedto meet other students that are dedicated to empowering their communities through diverseavenues.
Chelsea Hu (she/her)
Hometown: Vienna, VA
Aberdeen Historical Museum
The Aberdeen Historical Museum is a small nonprofit that aims to help tell the story Aberdeen and its citizens My work will involve creating a virtual tour of a section Aberdeen to educate citizens and tourists alike about the history of the buildings in Aberdeen and the people that walked upon them home centuries ago. I'm looking forward to joining the SPARK community and learning from mentors.
This summer, I”ll be working with Smart Communities Society to provide refurbished computers to the underfunded people of Northern Canada My job will be to host and run their computer literacy workshops in tandem with local organizations while personalizing them based on the group we are working with that week. I am excited to meet like minded people during SPARK and learn about other people’s passions! M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P
Isha Jha (she/her)
Hometown: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Kemi Imode (she/her)
Hometown: Belcamp, MD
Smart Communities Society
Layla Kelly (she/her)
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
This summer, I will be working with Junior Achievement to develop new curriculum centered around career readiness, specifically high-growth job markets. My work will help engage students in schools in 27 counties to fulfill new Indiana state standards. Through SPARK, I’m excited to meet new friends from all over the world serving their communities in innovative ways!
Letters Against Depression
This summer, I will be designing and implementing a new workshop tailored towards bolstering mental health awareness in Los Alamitos, CA. By establishing Letters AgainstDepressionasapresenceinthecity,I hope to provide an avenue for mental health dialogue through acts of service. Supported by incredible leaders and peers, I am most looking forward to leaving something behind for my community this summer. I am confident working alongside such inspiring individuals will produce new experiences refiningmyresolveforpublicservice!
Sean Kim (he/him)
Hometown: Los Alamitos, CA
Seymour Library
This summer, I will be working with the Seymour Library Children’s Summer Reading Program to help expand access to educational resources in the Brockport community. I plan to focus on increasing program participation and retention; modernizing websites and promotional media; and ensuring that activities meet a variety of educational and linguistic needs. Through the SPARK program, I hope to gain additional experience in creating an inclusive and productive learning environment More importantly, I want to help inspire future generations of learners in the program that once inspired me
Annika Krovi (she/her)
Hometown:Greenville, SC
Jason Kleehammer (he/him)
Hometown: Brockport, NY
Bradshaw Institute for Community Child Health & Advocacy
This summer, I will be supporting the Bradshaw Institute in organizing and improving their injury prevention program by updating educational tools and leading community events about firearm, car, and infant sleep safety. I'm looking forward to taking an active role in community-based public health initiatives and providing families with important information to keep their children safe!
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
XAVAN Inc.
Chi Le (she/her)
Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
I will collaborate with XAVAN Inc. this summer on a field trip to provide necessities and tutoring for children (aged 6 to 15) of garment workers in a village in Northern Vietnam. By compiling standardized learning materials and distributing voluntary mentors to suitable student groups, we can aid underprivileged children in their educational journey SPARK provides me with a network of peers and professors holding the same ultimate goal of bettering society. In this way, I can reflect on their journey and plan for future work in community service.
PeaceJam Foundation and Sankofa Empowering Women in Ghana (SEWING)
Throughout the summer, I will be working with Sankofa Empowering Women In Ghana (SEWING), a program a part of PeaceJam that aims to empower girls at risk of becoming Kayayei by providing economic opportunities andsupportingeducationscholarships.Myworkwillfocus ondevelopingSEWING'seducationcurriculumbycreating financial literacy lessons; grant writing; and raising awareness on the Kayayei human rights crisis through community partnerships, social media campaigns, and presentations. SPARK offers a unique opportunity to collaboratewithHarvard'scivically-mindedfellows,cohort leaders, and staff, providing the inspiration and mentorshipthatenhancemyskillsinpublicservice.Ilook forward to making an impact with PeaceJam with the perspectives I gain through SPARK and meeting the incrediblepublicservicecommunityatHarvard!
Simona Letizia (she/her)
Hometown: Singapore, Singapore
Brookline Asian American Family Network (BAAFN)
I will be conducting research and creating a report for BAAFN that highlights the importance of diverse staff and curriculum representation as well as affinity programmings in supporting AAPI students’ mental health. I’m looking forward to giving back to the Brookline AAPI community who has inspired me to be activist. I am also excited to meet my fellow Harvard classmates.
Sophia Lichterfield (she/her)
Hometown: Brookline, MA
Yutian Li (she/her)
Hometown: Brookline, MA
Boston Community Pediatrics
I will be creating an introductory coding program to be run at Boston Community Pediatrics in the fall. In partnership with Tech Goes Home, participants of the program will receive one year of internet access and a Chromebook I am eager to connect and engage with like-minded peers who are committed to working with and for their communities!
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Michelle Liu (she/her)
Hometown: Vancouver, Canada
Hunterdon Health
Foundations for Social Change
This summer, I will be working with Foundations for Social Change to investigate alternative policies to address the homelessness crisis in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada Among other things, I will be helping to create an internal database of coded interview transcripts and summarized study reports for other team members to draw on when spreading awareness and raising funds. I'm really looking forward to being a part of such a wonderful group of service-minded individuals!
This summer, I will be collaborating with Hunterdon Health to address the pervasive issue of senior citizen isolation and enhance community health. We will accomplish this by administering surveys through various outreach avenues to gain a comprehensive understanding of the causes, statistically analyzing the survey data, and proposing potential solutions to tackle this issue. I am so excited to make connections within my local community, with fellow Harvard students, and with our mentors as we SPARK change! While SPARKingchangethroughthisprogram,Ihope to learn how to continue my passion for serviceatHarvardandbeyond.
Elena Luo (she/her)
Hometown: Ringoes, New Jersey
Women of the Cloud Forest
This summer, I will work with a fair trade organization to provide tree saplings and period products to artisans in developing countries. I am very excited to work directly with artisans and learn how to support their needs and goals. I can’t wait to share my passion for fair trade with the Harvard community as a member of the SPARK cohort!
Ava Maha (she/her)
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Shamiri Institute
Nyankiir Majok (she/her)
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
IThis summer I will work closely with Shamiri Institute and their research and innovations team through comprehensive data collection and rigorous analysis. These strategies will not only scale operations but also significantly improve the delivery of affordable mental health interventions across the Global South and ensure more effective and accessible mental health care for all. I look forward to working with a group of individuals that share the same ambition and determination in community and public service.
Zain Memon (he/him)
Hometown: Brentwood, CA
Contra Costa Family Justice Center
I’ll be developing marketing and outreach materials for the Family Justice Center to increase access to and awareness of the Family Justice Center’s resources for victims of interpersonal violence and trauma. I hope to make an impact on my local community and get to know other like-minded SPARK fellows this summer!
This summer, I will be working with LexSeeHertodevelopastudentteam, with the goal of connecting high school students with the organization. I am excited to meet a group of individuals who are passionate about makingchangewithinthecommunity!
Hometown: Lexington, MA
Sitara Mitragotri (she/her)
Bolsa Chica Conservancy
I collaborated with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy and Wetlands to engage teens in birdwatching and conservation. I photographed bird behavior weekly and wrote articles such as "They Not Like Us: The Science of Bird Movement and Optic Flow", directed towards a teen audience. This article series culminated in an ExperTalk for the community where I collaborated with neurobiology expert Dr. Georg Striedter of the University of California, Irvine.
Andrea Moreno (she/her)
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Avery Mizrahi (she/her)
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
The Frontera Land Alliance
This summer I will work with the El Paso Frontera Land Alliance, my goal is to use their expertise in land preservation to implement conservation projects and educational workshops aimed at addressing the local impacts of the climate crisis. By raising awareness and knowledge about the climate crisis among community members, we aim to foster positive environmental impacts through both conservation initiatives and community engagement. I hope that through SPARK I can grow my love for service as well as meet like-minded students that share a passion similar to mine.
Hometown: Kirinyaga, Kenya
Pathway Financial Education
Beta Mentor Africa
This summer, I will be working with Beta Mentor Africa to offer mentorship to high school students in schools across rural Kirinyaga County and beyond. Through targeted workshops, one-on-one sessions with students, and tutoring in their weak subjects, my work will help address issues contributing to school dropouts and poor performance in national examinations while empowering students with the skills and knowledge necessary to build successful futures. I am excited to join a community of changemakers at SPARK committed to public service and making lifelong connections as I leave a lasting impact on the students' lives in my community.
This summer, I will collaborate with Pathway Financial Education and Kansas City Public School District to create a free and engaging personal finance curriculum aligning with Missouri's updated standards. My project addresses the teacher shortage and school budget cuts in my area as well as the prevalent lack of local financial literacy materials. I am excited to leave a lasting impact on students and educators in Kansas City while meeting new mentors and friends inHarvard'spublicservicecommunity.
Hometown: Mission Hills, KS
Emmanuel Muriuki (he/him)
Katie Murphy (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)
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Izabela Pacheco Silva (she/her)
Hometown: Belo Horizonte
Yuan Media
This summer, I will be working to run a summer internship program for Asian American Youth to get hands on experience with journalism to increase the representation of AAPI voices in media and politics. I am so excited to learning about all the ways to better make an impact in my community through SPARK!). M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P
Chili Pramoda (she/her)
Hometown: Guaynabo, PR
his summer, I will be working on the CarbonMinus project to deliver clean, drinking water and re-usable water bottles public schools in Puerto Rico. Our students are often in rooms without air conditioning. This will assure adequate, timely and hygienic hydration for students throughout the consistently hot school year. I am excited to work alongside peers who share the commitment to keeping the planet (sustainability) front and center as we solve our community's challenges together. Through SPARK, I hope to engage with the inspiring public service community at Harvard.
Jesuit Refugee Service USA
This summer I'll be working the Jesuit Refugee Service to continue engaging with refugee issues as I had during high school. Specifically, I'll create digital materials, like toolkits and videos, to help students engage which such issues as well as take part in summits/trainings to offer my experience as a student leader in this space. I'm really excited to discover how social justice operates at the administrative/organizational level and how such organizations utilize different teams and skillsetstoaccomplishacommongoal.
Ethan Ristu (he/him)
Hometown:
Silver Spring, MD
Lviv City Council
I’ll be working with government to help Ukrainian business from the affected regions in the relocation of enterprises to Lviv community Besides, I’ll work on attracting foreign investors to ensure smoother EU-integration of Lviv and Ukraine. I hope to learn more about different ways I can be useful to my community through working with likeminded and ambitious students.
Tigran Sahakyan (he/him)
Hometown: Artashat, Armenia
Olena Rukkas (she/her)
Hometown: Kharkiv, Ukraine, but now internally displaced to Lviv, Ukraine
EducationUSA Armenia
This summer I will be organizing an online workshop for students in rural parts of Armenia about project management and confidence-building. The project aims to increase the community participation of the Armenian youth by teaching them how to navigate conservative community barriers. My main goal is to learn how to actually encourage and communicate with young people to later use my experience for finding the right communities for me.
Isa Salmanu (he/him)
Hometown: Abuja, Nigeria
FlexiSAF Foundation
This summer, I will be working in rural communities with high populations of out of school children organizing fun classes to create awareness about the importance of education. I look forward to making an impact in communities around my town and addressing the large education gap.
The Town of Bennington and its Historic Preservation Commission
This summer, I will be helping combat social stigma associated with living near Pleasant Street, a historic neighborhood in Bennington, by creating "walking tour" educational pamphlets and helping register Pleasant Street as a National Historic District. Theseinitiativeswilldrawattentionawayfrom negative stereotypes by raising awareness of the street's historic and architectural resources. I am most looking forward to learning about the interests of the other SPARK Fellows and learning about what drew themtotheSPARKprogram.
Thomas Scheetz (he/him)
Hometown: Bennington, Vermont
The Lost Food Project
TLFP rescues food that would otherwise go to landfill and redistributes it to underserved regions. I am working on improving their social media presence, helping redesign the website (my first real CS project!) and managing the new TikTok account, as well as developing an app to remove us as the logistics provider, instead allowing restaurants to post excess food which charity partners or individuals in disadvantaged communities can instantly see and go collect. I am excited to find community at Harvard before we start in the fallplease reach out on insta @elisa s y about anything (especially with music or cafe recommendations!)
Tyareth Serrano Ramirez (she/her)
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Elisa See (she/her)
Hometown: Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Team Brownsville
At Team Brownsville, I will assist this non-profit in making immigrants and asylum seekers feel welcome by distributing basic necessities like hygiene products and food, and by sharing my personal experiences in their native language. In SPARK, I am looking forward to sharing a more illustrative account of the struggles immigrants face and learning about the projects Harvard students have done in their communities all around the world.
Darren Seto (he/him)
Hometown: Boston, MA
My Body Is My Body
South End
This summer, I will be producing and distributing an information newsletter to promote collaboration and revitalize civic engagement within the South End community. I look forward to connecting with a network of students who share a strong commitment to public service at Harvard
This summer, I’ll be working with My Body Is My Body Organisation to educate young school children of Janakpur, Chitwan, and Kathmandu about body safety and positivity through music. I would also be translating the worksheet and video into Nepali and Maithili. Through SPARK, I look forward to meeting my amazing classmates and mentors who believe in the importance of community service. Additionally, I want to learn about the different ways in which we cangivebacktooursociety.
Hometown: Janakpur, Nepal
Nishtha Shah (she/her)
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Chicago Scholars
I am supporting the launch of a new fellowship for Chicago Scholar college students, in which they can develop their leadership skills while improving Chicago Scholar events. I will be designing the program structure from the ground up and creating materials for the fellowship. I’m looking forward to growing closer with my Chicago community while also using SPARK to connect meaningfully with civic-minded Harvard students.
Nari Shin (she/her)
Hometown: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Anna Shao (she/her)
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Rotary Club of Puerto Plata
Throughout the summer, I will be organizing projects to provide medical resources as well as recreational and educational opportunities to underprivileged patients. I look forward to making a positive impact on my community and meeting people who are just as passionate about public service.
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Anaya Sheth (she/her)
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA)
I will be working with the Maternity and Child Health Department this summer 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 I am very excited to learn from experienced leaders and meet a community of changemakers!
Cycladic Preservation Group & National Hellenic Museum
I am planning on investigating, researching, and supporting cultural heritage preservation in the Cycladic islands through the non-profit I founded, the Cycladic PreservationGroup.Atthesametime,Ihope to continue preserving the intangible culture of the Greek diaspora through translations and transcriptions for the National Hellenic Museum. I look forward to getting more in touch with preservation in my home country of Greece, all while beginning to become a partoftheHarvardcommunity!
Nicholas Sikellis (he/him)
Hometown: Madison, NJ
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Institute for Youth in Policy
I am overseeing the Institute's Policy Media department, where I am helping to engage thousands of young people in the policy process through developing research competitions and creating content that mobilizes civically engaged youth from around the world I hope to further shape my understanding of effective public service while learning from the amazing community of young changemakers in the program
Chloe Sow (she/her)
Hometown: Kirkland, WA
Eli Solomon (he/him)
Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ
Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway
This summer, I’ll be volunteering with the Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway in Malaysia. Assisting with their prosthetics with dignity project, I’ll be identifying, interviewing, and verifying for potential recipients to receive prosthetic limbs as well as fundraising and raising awareness. Through SPARK, I’m excited to become part of a community that is passionate about public service and dedicated to making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Jay Sweitzer-Shalit (he/him)
Hometown: Brookline, MA
Brookville Local Schools Library
Fair Employment Project
This summer, I will gather and analyze data on the success rates of various types of worker complaints for the Fair Employment Project. Using this data, the Fair Employment Project will be able to better identify where its efforts are most needed, allowing it to more effectively help workers. With SPARK, I look forward to sparking connections with other students committed to doing good in the world.
For the work I plan to do this summer, I will expand my school library's current world culture section to include newer books with different languages and perspectives. I also plan to advertise the section to children this summer for the following school year in hopes of encouraging children to learn more about people. I look forward to bringing light to a relatively small (~ 30-50 books, many of which are outdated) but a very important section in the library! From my SPARK summer, I hope to gain a more well-rounded and worldly perspective, and inspire younger peopletolearnaboutdifferentcultures.
Johnna Szkudlarek (she/her)
Hometown: Brookville, OH
BRIA of Westmont, LongTerm Care Facility
Volunteership and community engagement levels at long-term care facilities plummeted sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of visitationrestrictions, but, over four years since the start of the pandemic, volunteership-rates have not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels I’m working to rebuild and expand community knowledge of youth-involvement at long-term care facilities, and increase communityengagement levels. I hope that through SPARK, I’ll learn how to translate community-need to community-change, especially at a local, near-theindividual level
Eric Tong (he/him)
Hometown: Grapevine, TX
Edward Thomas (he/him)
Hometown: Willowbrook, IL
Grapevine High School's Math Team
I will create permanent resources for Grapevine High School’s math team to increase the accessibility of the team to new members. This work will increase the longevity of the program and maintain its benefits for future generations. I look forward to growing with the SPARK Community while continuing to work closely within my community!
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Jessica Ugbomah Farley (she/her)
Hometown: Greater London/ Essex, UK
Youth Ottawa
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
This summer, I will focus on climate-based initiatives to advocate for planting more trees in vulnerable communities, reinforcing Youth Ottawa’s outreach mission efforts My work will help strengthen youth involvement specifically supporting less fortunate families affected by climate change I am looking forward to driving meaningful change, utilizing Harvard's resources, and building strong connections within the SPARK community
Shallon Uwase (she/her)
Hometown: Kigali-Kicukiro
Merveille Uwase (she/her)
Hometown: Stouffville, Canada
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 perspectives informed by experiences.
M E E T T H E 2 0 2 4 S P A R K F E L L O W S
Celina Varchausky (she/her)
Hometown: Buenos Aires
Girl Up USA
