Azeemah Sadiq | Richmond, TX

Azeemah Sadiq

Azeemah Sadiq is a passionate and driven student committed to civic engagement, mental health advocacy, and fighting for equity in underserved communities. Known for her determination and sense of purpose, Azeemah channels her lived experiences into activism, striving to turn challenges into opportunities for change. 

Azeemah is most proud of founding GenVote Alief, a youth-led initiative dedicated to expanding electoral justice in Houston. Through this work, she empowers young people to see themselves as vital contributors to the political process. Her leadership has helped bridge the gap between marginalized communities and political engagement in a state where youth voices are too often overlooked. Azeemah is a fierce advocate for mental health awareness and intellectual freedom. She has led initiatives against book bans and censorship, ensuring students have access to literature that reflects their identities and lived experiences. In recognition of her work uplifting her community, Azeemah was honored by Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones. Her advocacy extends to the national level. Azeemah was a featured panelist in the U.S. Department of Education webinar focused on religious freedom in schools, using her voice to advocate for inclusive policies. For her work and for overcoming adversity with resilience, she is the recipient of the National Horatio Alger Scholarship.

Azeemah’s activism is rooted in her own experiences growing up having witnessed the impacts of systemic underfunding, civic disengagement, and limited access to resources. She believes that empowering youth and amplifying underrepresented voices is key to building a more just and inclusive future. Her leadership, empathy, and boldness in confronting difficult issues continue to inspire those around her.

Ayah Mukhtar

Ayah Mukhtar

Ayah is a passionate first-generation student from Arlington, Virginia. The daughter of Moroccan and Sudanese immigrants, Ayah works to serve minority, first-generation, and refugee communities throughout the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area (DMV).

Ayah is the co-founder of The Noura Initiative, a non-profit advocating for education and hygiene access amongst underserved populations in the DMV. Inspired by her AP Research project that examined the mental health consequences youth face as a result of Sudan’s ongoing war, she is dedicated to her Nubian and Sudanese communities. She believes that cultural support groups are necessary for the Sudanese diaspora, specifically aiding young women to heal, lead, and thrive.

At school, Ayah is president of the Muslim Student Association, where she organizes Ramadan iftars for 200+ people, raises funds for war-torn countries, and creates an inclusive community. As Secretary General of Model United Nations she has expanded membership and brought global awareness to students with her love for world politics. Ayah is also vice president of GirlUp, her school's chapter of a UN initiative promoting equality for underrepresented females. Additionally, Ayah supports local teens as an appointed chair of Arlington County’s Teen Network Board’s Peer to Peer committee, and is the CEO of LeadPeace, an organization cultivating youth leaders and peacebuilders while raising awareness on global conflicts. 

Ayah draws strength from her ancestors and heritage. Ayah’s Nubian father calls her Nubian Queen, or a Kandaka, inspiring her to take action and make an everlasting impact on society just as her Kandaka ancestors did.

Angelina Te | Long Beach, CA

Angelina Te

Angelina is an inspirational change-maker from a low-income, Cambodian-immigrant family. Growing up in North Long Beach, California, Angelina defied the oppressive ideals expected of her while uplifting others in her community.  Angelina has written a book, Raw Poems from a Teenage Girl, which is about her experiences growing up in a marginalized community and how that impacted her adolescence. 

Angelina has not let the limited opportunities she had growing up prevent her from achieving her dreams. In 7th grade, she led the majority of her middle school’s social media accounts and communications during the pandemic. During this time of crisis, she communicated with hundreds of students and parents to ensure they were well-informed, while empowering other students to pursue excellence ranging from academics to service despite prejudices towards their ability based on income and identity. Angelina has personally empowered struggling students by seeing the beauty within them, leading them to make healthier choices. In order to continue these efforts after the pandemic, Angelina founded Golden Student Bears where she tackles the opportunity gap through social media, journalism, and direct awareness about college and career opportunities. While the organization targets California students, nearly one-quarter of students are from outside the US! 

Angelina's main inspiration is her community. Growing up in a marginalized area with a single mother, Angelina seldom received much guidance.  Living in a garage, taking care of the neighborhood kids at 8 years old, she eventually found a place of warmth and acceptance with those in her community. Despite the negativity around her, she was raised to empower and uplift others despite their backgrounds, like the ones who’ve accepted her.

Ally Kryzalka | Charlotte, NC

Ally Kryzalka

Ally is a disciplined student, a compassionate leader, and a catalyst for change in her community. She demonstrates initiative in her pursuits, eagerly taking action and seeking solutions as she leads with integrity and empathy. Her hunger for challenge, ability to see beyond an obstacle, and joyful outlook on life makes her a driving force in her endeavors.

Ally is a proud recipient of the Congressional Award Gold Medal, Congress’ highest honor for youth. The medal is awarded to students who complete significant hours in community service, personal development, physical fitness, and a student-led, immersive exploration. With the desire to encourage involvement, lead outreach, and empower students, she was also selected as a Congressional Award Ambassador.

With a brother who has intellectual disabilities and chronic and severe medical needs, Ally advocates for those with special needs. Ally was elected Co-Chair of the Levine Children’s Hospital Teen Advisory Council, where she enjoys sharing her story and pouring into staff, patients, and families. As Co-Chair, she is responsible for assisting with meetings, reaching out to hospital staff, and spearheading events and fundraisers.

Walking through life alongside her brother, she became a witness to the way the special needs community remained underserved. To fill the gaps, Ally founded ‘What a Joy!’ in 2021, a program dedicated to celebrating and supporting intellectually disabled students. ‘What a Joy!’ provides special education classrooms with gift bags filled with sensory toys, encouraging notes, engaging activities, and delicious treats.

Ally continually gains her inspiration from her brother. The obstacles they have overcome together motivate her to take on life with enthusiasm, resilience, and a heart of gratitude.

Ahmad Milad Sargand | Falls Church, VA

Ahmad Milad Sargand

Ahmad’s friends describe him as tenacious; compassionate, ambitious and outgoing. These adjectives are a reflection of both his personality and  how he shows up in the world. As a first generation Afghan student and former multilingual learner, Ahmad brings a unique experience and perspective to his leadership, which is shaped by his resilience and deep love for service. 

Ahmad is currently an IB diploma candidate at Justice High School (MD) as well as an Honor Graduate of the Institute for Excellence at George Mason University and the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program. He is  the Founder and Executive Director of Scholars of Other Languages in English (SOLE), a student-led organization dedicated to supporting English learners through tutoring, mentorship, and an inclusive environment at his school, which is home to the largest ESOL population in the state of Virginia. His own background inspired him to lay the foundation of SOLE and create a space for equity and empowerment. In addition, Ahmad serves as an HR manager and senior executive member of Cancer Kids First (CKF)’s leadership team, the world’s largest youth-led pediatric cancer nonprofit organization. Working alongside the CEO, he helps lead operations and strategy for the executive team and a network of over 40,000 volunteers across 80+ countries. His commitment to CKF’s mission is deeply personal and shaped by the loss of his uncle to leukemia. 

Driven by the widespread health disparities he has witnessed both in Afghanistan and within underserved communities across the United States, he aspires to become a doctor and global health leader. He is passionate about advocating for equal healthcare access. Through every opportunity, Ahmad transforms personal experiences into meaningful actions, working towards a future where healthcare is not a privilege, but a right for all.

Rifa Alif | Bronx, NY

Rifa Alif

Rifa is a passionate and ambitious student. She’s known for her radiant energy and bubbly positivity—spreading her love everywhere she goes,. mMost notably in her community, where she aims to make a real impact. Rifa is most accomplished at her school’s knit & crochet club, where she teaches countless students every week and empowers them and herself in the process. “The best part is seeing how motivated and appreciative they are to learn,” she says. 

Rifa is most focused on her work at organizations such as Sapna NYC, Parle Endeavors, and VRing Democracy. Through her work, she aims to empower a diverse group of people and uplift their voices. 

Rifa is inspired to achieve through her compassion and empathy for others. She had experienced financial difficulty and loss when her parent’s pizzeria had closed down shortly after COVID. She aspires to help others chase after their dreams, even when they think the time is over.