FELLOWS 2009-10

Following a rigorous national search, we selected 11 remarkable Fellows from 7 states across the US. In high school these outstanding young leaders have already excelled as athletes, actors, artists, chefs, dancers, engineers, musicians, politicians, scientists & writers. Read their bios below to learn more and follow them during their Global Citizen Year on their blogs.

Alec Yeh

Hometown: Lexington, Massachusetts
College: Harvard University

“When you’re challenged…a different side of you is exposed. I want to be able to show my community that with just a high school diploma, with just one year there’s so much you can do.”

In the words of one teacher, “Alec is the embodiment of a rare combination of intellect, industriousness and principled compassion.” A child of Taiwanese immigrant parents, Alec is keenly aware of the interconnected nature of our lives. Inquisitive and idealistic, Alec combines his natural abilities in science and math with a deep passion for changing the world. Alec’s peers respect him as a student leader with humility, ingenuity and integrity, electing him as Class President his junior year and President of National Honor Society his senior year. As a summer intern for stem cell research on diabetes at Harvard University’s Melton Lab, Alec cultivated a dream to use science and medicine to solve dire public health crises. His ultimate goal is to find a cure for AIDS. An accomplished musician, Alec found his true artistic calling as a cake decorator in pursuit of his dream to “make humanity smile.”

Ananda Day

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
College: University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

“I look to find the good in every situation, and I make sure that I realize the flaws – but to see things as a whole…with a global perspective.”

As polled by her friends, three words to describe Ananda are “determined, mature and passionate.” Ananda distinguished herself early as an accomplished athlete, excelling at soccer as a player, a referee and a coach for a young girls’ soccer league. She is recognized by her teachers and mentors as a critical thinker and scholar who “reads voraciously, asks penetrating questions and quickly imagines how her own life might become a partial answer to the problems others face.” As a high school junior, Ananda founded the Mock Trial Team which garnered national recognition as a team and individual awards for Ananda herself. Ananda draws her strength and energy from her extended “family” of mentors, friends and teammates who have been drawn to her over the years. Grounded by “an idealistic core of principles that guide her in both action and reflection,” Ananda made a resolution in early high school to take a bridge year before college and is particularly excited about making an impact as a Founding Fellow.

Gaya Morris

Hometown: Hingham, MA / Lakeville, CT
College: Princeton University

“What matters to me most is consciousness: the awareness I have gained of worlds beyond my own, other vantage points from which to consider my life, and my role in the world…to act with honesty and integrity and move forward.”

In the words of her French teacher, “Gaya’s voice, while never the loudest, is always the wisest.” She was likewise voted “Talks the least, says the most” by her graduating peers. Though she herself is understated, Gaya’s impact on classmates and community cannot be. Inspired by the Slow Food Movement, Gaya promoted consciousness and action around food system issues within and outside of her school. As a dorm proctor, Gaya mentored a diverse group of girls through academic and personal challenges. An accomplished painter, “her art is a metaphor for how she approaches all of her endeavors: thoughtfully observe the world around her, reflect deeply on it…and capture its essence.” Finally, living in Switzerland and Italy with her family instilled values of learning from and engaging with other cultures. A trip to Senegal with Where There Be Dragons challenged Gaya’s worldview and propelled her desire to “explore a foreign culture and landscape in greater depth and make a lasting difference in the lives of others.”

Hilary Brown

Hometown: Seattle, Washington
College: Occidental College

“Being aware of others’ needs and consistently striving to fulfill my responsibility as an able citizen will continue to be a guiding factor in my life.”

Hilary is an inquisitive learner, an understated leader and a dedicated community volunteer. After a successful campaign to convince her parents, Hilary raised and trained two guide dogs for blind fellow residents through her work with Guide Puppies of Seattle. The dogs were a full-time job, even attending school at Hilary’s side. As a weekly volunteer at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Hilary further witnessed the direct, immediate impact of her energy. Hilary also surpassed her own physical barriers, pursuing her passion for dance despite severe scoliosis. According to a teacher, Hilary, “strives to have a lifetime of understanding and to fulfill her own intellectual curiosity.” Deeply interested in science and the environment, Hilary hopes to benefit the world through science-based leadership and discovery.

Ian Zimmermann

Hometown: Walpole, New Hampshire
College: Oberlin College

“Politics has always struck me as incredibly interesting as a basic means by which people make decisions. I have always sought to understand why people make the choices they do.”

Ian found his calling as a student leader. As Class President throughout his four-year high school career, he championed ethics, financial sustainability and equity. He rallied his peers around budget cuts that would affect teachers and course offerings as well as organized the most affordable and highest attended prom in over 20 years. Ian was later elected as Speaker of the House as part of New Hampshire’s YMCA Student Government where, in the words of his advisor, he “was an eloquent speaker who mesmerized his audience by the sheer volume of information he possessed.” Ian also channels his voice through his band, Modo Forte, which has won awards, released a CD, and performed numerous benefit shows.

Laura Keaton

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
College: University of North Carolina – Wilmington

“I want to become more confident about the way I see the world and what I can do to change it. I want to show other people that what I do this year is something they can do too.”

According to friends and teachers, Laura is “vivacious, kind-hearted, adventurous” and “passionate in her pursuit of new information and in expanding her understanding of the world.” As a leader on her varsity soccer team, Laura made a special effort to mentor younger players. She is also a gifted writer, musician and actress. As Culture Day Coordinator of the Melting Pot Club, Laura built bridges across diverse communities within her school and worked to increase minority enrollment during Open Houses. In Laura’s own words, “The idea of working with others toward a common goal inspires me. The sense of having made an impact on someone and of having someone make an impact on you … can give you meaning and purpose in life.” Laura’s dream is to create an international cooperative of countries that promotes universal healthy child development. She also envisions a communication network for all countries that allows for the free and open flow of ideas and unique worldviews.

Marguerite LeLaurin

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
College: University of North Texas

“I admire people of character who pursue knowledge ruthlessly, give love and hope generously, and commit themselves to an ideal of peace”

Marguerite’s unique high school experience confirmed her commitment “to engage in a globally aware education that would develop my role as a citizen of the world.” In the words of her mentor, “Marguerite views every situation in the best possible light. She has an inquiring mind, is open to new ideas, receptive to instruction and sees every encounter as a learning opportunity.” A visit to Heifer International World Headquarters at the start of her freshman year — to simulate the experience of global poverty — was, in her words, a “paradigm shift.” Admired as an authentic young woman with contagious enthusiasm and integrity, Marguerite was nominated for the Gold Star Leadership Project and was awarded a Distinguished Delegate Award of Model United Nations. A teacher once described her as possessing “an intellect beyond her years and compassion beyond her experience.” Marguerite’s passion is to gain insight into the realities of global issues and to facilitate development alongside those in the field.

Mathew Davis

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

“The reason why expression is so important is because without a voice people don’t get represented. Once someone is exposed they have the choice to live in ignorance or fight for freedom.”

Mathew is a born educator, an exceptional communicator and a tireless activist. Growing up in the impoverished inner city, Mathew developed early an awareness of injustice and oppression. He turned his sights on working with neighborhood organizations to build a sense of community pride and educate others about leadership and change. He has supported and led efforts around urban gardening, crime and blight, and public school conditions. An artist and a writer, in high school Mathew discovered the power of spoken word and began organizing his peers through poetry slams. Mathew has won awards for his poetry and has established himself as a youth leader in the movement for democratic education.

Michael Wilson

Hometown: Chapell Hill, North Carolina
College: Washington University in St. Louis

“I’m struck by the universality of generosity. In service work, I have found that people who I’m supposed to be “serving” are often even more generous even though they have fewer means.”

Michael dreams of using technology and innovation to solve social challenges. An aspiring entrepreneur, Michael holds a strong belief in the power of social business and intelligent systems to effect significant social change. After witnessing stark social and economic divisions between his hometown and Appalachia, Michael dedicated his high school years to building bridges and fostering respectful communication across diverse communities. As an Elder in his Presbyterian Church, Michael made his mark by advocating for social justice within his community. Michael’s recent first international experience in Trinidad solidified his desire to learn firsthand from effective, community-based social entrepreneurs.

Victoria Tran-Trinh

Hometown: West Roxbury, Massachusetts
College: University of Massachusetts – Amherst

“I can’t think of anything I want more than to know that I’ve changed someone’s life for the better, that I’ve educated others about what needs to be changed in the world, or that I’ve even inspired someone to help a cause.”

In the words of her best friend, “Victoria believes in fixing the world through a ripple effect, where if everyone gives one drop, they’ll leave the world in a much better state.” Whether excelling at martial arts, volunteering at Greater Boston Foodbank, or leading the Connecting with Elders Club, Victoria dedicates her energies toward inspiring, challenging and engaging herself and others. She spent her summers mentoring physically and mentally disabled children with the Jason Roberts Challenger League baseball team. During a class trip to Eastern Europe, Victoria underwent an emotionally transformative experience learning about and seeing firsthand the effects of the Holocaust. “Victoria consistently demonstrates concern for others, and her willingness to extend herself in an effort to assist those who are less fortunate has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and teachers.” Victoria aspires to work with women and children, especially young girls, as an advocate for global human rights.

Zuleika Lewis

Hometown: Venezuela / Concord, California
College: Evergreen College

“My background lets me connect with other people in a way that wouldn’t have otherwise happened. From there I bring compassion and a wish to make a difference.”

An energetic, passionate “mover and shaker,” Zuleika’s multicultural upbringing and early international experiences drew her to Global Citizen Year. Zuleika moved from Venezuela to California as a freshman in high school. While she learned English in school, she sought out deeper, more spiritual means of connecting with others. Through the mentoring program Summer Search, Zuleika distinguished herself as a natural leader through her introspective nature and her guidance toward younger participants. As an assistant instructor with Girl Ventures, she mentored girls entering high school by reflecting upon her own difficult international transition. On a social justice and community service trip to India, Zuleika had a transformative experience working with young children affected by HIV/AIDS. She reflected later that the experience “touched the deeper innocent child within me that also wants to be loved…Almost everyone I saw in India had so much internal strength that made a peaceful wave around them amid such adversities.” Zuleika is currently living and working as an intern at Green String Farm, a sustainable farm in Petaluma.