American Youth Leadership Program Participant Bios

2014 American Youth Leadership Program – Paraguay Jennifer Ross (Mentor) Jennifer has tutored, mentored, and taught students of varying ages for the last 5 years. She is currently a bilingual (Spanish and English) teacher at J.J. Pickle Elementary, a dual language campus in Austin, Texas. She has also traveled extensively around Latin America, Europe and Asia. Jennifer even served as a supporting instructor and a mentor advising students on academic options and personal growth opportunities for North Korean refugees. As a mentor, she hopes to teach and also learn from her mentees by sharing a sense a passion for community involvement and empowering them through global awareness. Jennifer is also very interested in exploring bilingual education in Paraguay.

“Traveling has the power to change you unlike anything else. It makes tangible the forces of tradition, ideology and culture that shape life” Stephen Richards (Mentor) Steve is from Salina, Kansas. His background is in donor development for non-profit organizations and in clinical and electrical engineering where he managed and taught patient-care technology in hospitals and clinics. Steve is also a Co-founder of the first Kansas site for Circles of Hope and President of its lead agency, Peace Connections. Steve and his family have hosted international students on at least seven different occasions! He has also mentored high school and college students and is a proud father of two adult children and two grandchildren. Additionally, Steve has vast international experience; he has traveled throughout Latin America and Europe in particular. Steve is interested in education, poverty, diversity, and health and enjoys photography.

“It is my fundamental belief that living is life-long learning. This happens best in a mutual environment of trusted relationships. I expect to learn at least as much through participants' exploration as they may learn from me.”

Lawrence Schlerandi (Mentor) Not only is Lawrence is the Spanish Teacher, Soccer and Track Coach at Austin High School in Austin, Texas, he is the Garden Club founder too! Lawrence has extensive experience volunteering including through the Peace Corps in Ecuador where he started cooking workshops at a community clinic, facilitated first aid and sex education workshops to students, and initiated an after school exercise program. Lawrence is fluent in Spanish and is also a seasoned traveler having been to multiple countries in Latin America, Europe and Northern Africa. He believes that mentors have a great responsibility in preparing youth to make good decisions for the future of their countries with empathy and foresight.

“I think that firsthand experience is at the heart of education and building relationships with people from other countries will be an extraordinary experience for the youth participants.”

Abigail Lange, 17 Abigail is from Stillwater, Minnesota. She is involved with the National Honor Society in her high school, where she was the co-leader in her school’s blood drive, assisted in the food drive, as well as in Coffee House, which is a talent show fundraiser benefitting a well deserving cause. She is the 2014 Cross Country Girls team captain, helping create a cohesive group and being a good role model. She believes that actions can lead others more than words, and that setting a good example through hard work and focus can help direct them to find their own motivation. She plans to pursue a medical degree along with a Spanish minor or major, and plans to study abroad during part of her college education. She enjoys reading, outdoors activities, animals, trying new things and meeting new people.

Alisa Cui, 16 Alisa, from Charlotte, North Carolina, loves helping people. That is why she joined the Key Club at her high school, which is a worldwide program that teaches high school students leadership and stresses the value of service. The activities include toiletry and canned food drives, volunteering with Operation Christmas Child (an organization that delivers Christmas gifts to children around the world), helping out at local elementary schools, and more. She is a Spanish Club officer and is part of the Science Olympiad Team. Alisa plans to pursue a degree in genetics, wanting to study genetic disease. She enjoys playing the oboe, soccer, baking, reading and is interested in crafts.

Andrea De Santiago, 16 Andrea, from Rogers, Arkansas, takes initiative in her community. She personally assists older citizens with whatever they need (groceries, cleaning, and yard work).

She is also very involved in her church, where she plays the piano every Sunday and is the young women organization’s president, being a role model for the young ladies’ future lives. She is also the volleyball team captain in both her high school and another club. Andrea has learned much about leadership through these experiences and is eager to learn more. She aspires to finish undergraduate school and then go into business school.

She likes to play the piano and violin, swim, make dessert, and read.

Asha Pappajohn, 16 Asha is from Washington D.C. and enjoys in giving back to her community while meeting new people and learning new skills. Asha is part of her school’s Student Conservation Association, where she helps restore parks, waterfronts and urban landscapes. She has served as President of her high school’s Student Government Association, and is part of Model United Nations, the Global Issues Network, and the Community Service Club. Asha wants to integrate her background in environment and in cultural diversity to start a service project aimed at creating more biocultural diversity among students. Her hobbies include soccer, classical guitar, reading, photography, and horses.

Carlos Sanchez-Moyett, 15 Carlos, from Boise, ID, enjoys swimming, conversing with friends, playing the Clarinet and Saxophone, soccer, shopping and watching comedies. He is a member of the Safety Patrol and an Ambassador at his high school, showing new students how the school operates, and explaining the policies and rules to follow at school. Carlos is interested in climate change, diversity, and in learning about different perspectives. He did video presentations for French, English, Arabic and Burmese speaking refugees, going over the social norms of a typical American and their household expectations. As a service project, he would like to create a blog formatted website that helps different international students from around the world share their different experiences and encounters in new school settings.

Charlotte Davis, 16 Charlotte, from Stilwell, Kansas, loves to play guitar, soccer, make art, and hang out with her siblings and friends. Her volunteering includes collecting Christmas donations and Spanish translation. She is the Chair of the Team Development Committee in her local Relay for Life, a student-led organization that supports cancer research funding. Charlotte also serves as part of a local Youth Court, which provided high school kids who have broken the law with alternatives to the juvenile legal system. In high school, Charlotte is her soccer team’s captain, Vice President of the Student Council, and a Mentor for underclassmen about social and academic expectations.

Charlotte would like to implement an elementary school fundraising project for community development in Paraguay.

Christopher Williams, 17 Christopher, from Topeka, Kansas, enjoys theater and film.

He is a volunteer with Helen Hocker Community Theater, participating on and off stage in multiple theater productions. As a volunteer, he performed in high schools, nursery homes, as well as teacher and mentor at the Children's Summer Theater Camp. He student-taught an acting class at Dorothy Thomas School Of Dance, helping children figure out how to project their voices, understand script writing better, and how to improve their acting skills.

Christopher wants to major in film and minor in theater arts, aspiring to produce documentaries or star in Broadway plays and musicals. His hobbies include meeting new people, music, making people laugh, and having life changing experiences.

Daisy Gonzalez, 15 Daisy Gonzalez, from San Antonio, Texas, loves taking action photography for school sports, graphic designing, and reading. She is a volunteer at an organization called Elf Louise, providing Christmas presents to children of limited means. She is a proctor for TMSCA (Texas Math and Science Coaches Association), where she examines tests and helps out in the awards ceremony. Daisy believes that education is the master key to every door of opportunity, thus she would like to implement a service project aimed at improving the relationship between youth and literature, and helping youth plan their future careers. She would also like to organize a trash collection party in communities as a project to reinforce the importance of clean communities and recycling.

Ernestina Martinez, 16 Ernestina, from San Anonio, Texas, enjoys performing, Mexican folk dances and being involved with clubs. In fact, she started up her own Mexican Folk dance group which has had several performances so far this year. She was part of her school’s Soccer team and is currently part of the track team as well. She also enjoys volunteers through her church community. Ernestina was the leader of a research project on Paraguay that gave her insight about that nation and is eager to learn more in person.

She would like to work with senior citizens in a service project that would involve youth supporting rehab activities for seniors. Ernestina aspires to attend law school.

Evelyn Pinto, 15 Evelyn, from Rogers, Arkansas, enjoys playing the viola with her high school orchestra, and learning about other cultures. She has volunteered at her local military park and Civil War museum, helping keep the park clean. She has also volunteered at her church, running the bookstore at the annual church festival. Evelyn also enjoys volunteering at her local animal shelter to support the well-being of dogs, informing with potential adopters and matching them with their pets. For Evelyn, “communication skills are vital for any leader as this is what builds bridges between people”. She would like to start a service project on college mentorship for high school minority students, thus allowing them to “set the bar and break new boundaries”. She aspires to finish high school and eventually earn a Doctorate degree.

Haley Swedlund, 17 Haley, from Topeka, Kansas, enjoys acting, writing and reading, learning about politics and society, and volunteering. She is a “Friendly Visitor” at the Grace Hospice, spending time with the patients and giving support to their families. She also volunteered as an actor with the Topeka Civic Theatre and enjoys keeping the local art community dynamic. In high school, Haley was part of the Young Democrats and International Baccalaureate program allowing her to take on mentorship positions that supporting other students. For her service project, she would like to start programs that encourage interaction between young people of many different backgrounds. She plans to major in psychology in college.

Isaiah Watson, 15 From Charlotte, North Carolina, Isaiah enjoys drawing, painting, crafts, photography, movies, playing the clarinet, and hanging out with friends. He is part of Student Congress, where he plans and attends school projects like campus cleanup, helping in local food drives, and tutoring ESL students. He is also involved with Mothering Across Continents, helping raise money that goes toward building a school in South Sudan. For a service project, Isaiah’s passion for animals lead him to consider organizing pet supply fundraisers and adoption events “to lend a hand to our furry friends”.

He aspires to become a Psychiatrist.

Jeffrey Manchester, 17 Jeffrey, from Huntersville, North Carolina, loves to work with children. He is a group leader at a water safety program run by his swim team that teaches underprivileged children basic swim lessons and other basic water safety tips. He was also a Regional Leader for Kid’s Voting, supported by Generation nation, teaching children how to vote and showing that voting can be fun. In high school, he is the Swim Team captain, coaches the summer swim league, is the Vice President of the International Club, and tutors Math as a part of the National Honor Society. He performed in a page program for the North Carolina's General Assembly, where he learned about government. Jeff dreams of becoming a family physician or working in pediatrics, and eventually work with Doctors without Borders. .

Jordan Craft, 16 Jordan is from Topeka, Kansas. She enjoys playing soccer, and loves Spanish; she even wants to major in it. She has earned a Girl Scout Golden Award, and is working in creating a brochure and video for children whose families are interested in becoming a foster family. She founded a community garden, and the money raised from selling the produce at the local Farmer's Market was then donated to help convert her community's historical theater to digital so it could stay in business. Jordan is one of the main editors and leaders in the newspaper staff at her school, and aspires to become a journalist. Jordan believes that we need more people standing up for what is right, instead of blending in to fit in, and thus wants to redefine the youth expectations in American society.

Joseph Obeid, 17 Joseph, from Pineville, North Carolina, loves running and is interested in science. As a member of the National Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, he tutors Math and Science, helping students solve problems and succeed in school. He was nominated Carson Scholar Nominee, a National Scholarship given to students who excel academically and are dedicated to serving others. He is the captain of his high school Track team, and was given awards for his talent and leadership in both Cross Country and Track. Joseph is the Vice President of Future Business Leaders of America, where he is preparing for careers in business and to become a better citizen. For a service project, he would like to organize a 5k race fundraiser event to benefit a local shelter. He eventually would like to major in Astronomy or Business Management. .

Liliana Mondragon, 16 From Washington, D.C., Liliana’s idea of success is helping others. She volunteers at DC Doors, a program that helps homeless women find permanent housing, allowing them to be stable. She files documents about the clients who are in the program, arranges meetings with the clients, and takes care of the clients' children when parents and staff have training days. She loves volunteering there because she learns a lot from the different cultures the mothers represent. Liliana is also the soccer varsity team captain, which she feels challenges hers to be a good role model for other teammates through positive action. For a service project, she would like to help the children at DC Doors learn how to read and also teach their parents how to engage their children in reading. Liliana loves animals, and aspires to become a veterinarian.

Meghan Crawford, 17 Megan, from Huntersville, North Carolina, enjoys basketball, movies, the beach, and being with people that make her happy. As a member of the Spanish Club and the Key Club in high school, she participated in various community events, including gift wrapping presents for those in need, helping at soup kitchens, and also helping clean up the community. Megan also volunteers at her local retirement home, playing bingo with the residents and other activities that showed her the impact that these simple tasks have on one's life. In high school, she is the basketball team captain and the Vice President of her graduating class. Megan would like to start a tutoring program to allow students to further their education and learn from each other. She would like to pursue a career in the medical field. .

Sarah Adkins, 17 Sarah, from Woodbury, Minnesota, enjoys painting, drawing, sculpture, writing, and various outdoors activities, including skiing. In fact, she was a ski instructor for kids and adults, instructing while caring for their safety by balancing fun and authority over her students. She is a team leader at Relay for Life, helping organize an event to fundraise money for cancer research as well as honoring cancer victims and survivors. Her passion for animals led her to volunteer at the local animal shelter. She also participated in a service group that supported student ideas for community projects. Sarah would like to start a peer listening program between students to encourage the use of school counseling resources. Her future plans include studying animal life and volunteering at animal shelters while pursuing a career in biology.

Sarah Erickson, 17 Sarah is from Topeka, Kansas. Her interests include reading, language, service, sports, school-based hobbies, writing, art, yoga, spirituality and well-being classes. She “rarely says no to a new activity or opportunity�. She is working in a project to improve education in Bangladesh by editing English school textbooks. Sarah traveled to Guatemala as part of a service trip to help in a child center that focuses on preventing kids from being in the streets, gaining hands-on experience about the kids’ education and well-being. She would like to start an after school art-education program for children to experience art and learn about the city's art community. Sarah plans to major in International Relations, with a minor in Spanish, and would like to join the Peace Corps after college. .

Tess Gerdemann, 17 Tess, from Washington, D.C., enjoys playing softball, reading, writing, painting, trying new things, learning about people and learning from people. She is involved with Americana, taking care of refugee children while their parents are in culture classes to help teach them the cultural norms. Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship, with students from America and the former Soviet Union and satellite countries, learning about the value of other cultures and the power youth have to make a difference in the world. Tess is United States Senate page, appointed by the Secretary of the Senate as the manager of morning tasks, and also appointed to the Senate Page Schools social project board. She would like to become fluent in Spanish and Russian, work with the state department in foreign policy, and help reconcile cultural differences.

Yessenia Celis, 17 Yessenia is from Northfield, Minnesota. She enjoys gymnastics, drawing, painting, and helping people. She is involved with Feed my Starving Children, a program that ships hand-packed meals for malnourished children all over the world. She has been a Big Buddy for a kindergarten girl and volunteered in the After-School and Summer Plus Programs helping kids do their homework, tutoring math students and leading games for children.

Yessenia’s talent and love for gymnastics led her to coach kids in gymnastics as well and exposed her to service. In the future, she would like to teach students who struggle at home or have trouble with their English as an ESL and Math Teacher at an elementary school. .