2013-2014: Malaz Namir, Junior

Each summer, Malaz Namir and her family visit Sudan, the birthplace of her parents. Malaz was shocked by the paucity of educational opportunities for the poorer, younger children. The classrooms lacked doors and air conditioning, but- worst of all - there were no supplies. Impoverished families frequently couldn’t afford to send all their children to school, so often the girls were forced to remain at home.

Malaz decided to help the people of Aljadeed, a village in Sudan. She posted flyers about her school and motivated her friends to collect school supplies. Malaz and four other Chantilly students went house-to-house collecting school supplies. Malaz described the experience as “Amazing! We all got such a good feeling.” The donations filled 40 Ziploc bags with pens, papers, notebooks, crayons, sticky notes, and erasers, which Malaz stuffed into her luggage for her trip to Sudan last summer.

Accompanied by her brother, Malaz went to the school and personally distributed the supplies. She was able to communicate with the students in Arabic, and she encouraged them to study hard. Malaz now plans to organize a collection of clothes for children at the school. She also hopes to take medical supplies, such as blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and first aid kits, on some future trip.

Andrea Acosta, Career Center Specialist, summarizes, “Malaz’s belief in the value of education, and her determination to make a difference has brought some peace to a small school in Sudan.”

Malaz has been active in the Model United Nations researching the involvement of the World Health Organization. She hopes to become a doctor and assist the poor overseas.

2015-2016: Jieru Shi, Senior

Jieru Shi founded Sparks of Creativity (www.sparksofcreativity.org), a project dedicated to encouraging creativity and individuality in the arts. Providing a platform where young artists and writers are celebrated for their ideas, not simply their talents, the project promotes the recognition that each person is unique. Jieru designed the webpage, and she is now assisted by a team of students from Canada, Indonesia, Panama, and the US.

Sparks of Creativity hosts monthly contests, where participants are asked to reflect on peace, diversity, and acceptance. Begun in June 2014, the project has now reached over 5400 people in more than 50 countries. Jieru was also awarded two grants to publish a magazine, which was distributed to the participants as a keepsake of their accomplishments.

Discovering her love for starting projects that have a positive social impact, Jieru approached the Greenbriar Civics Association to establish a week-long program for children ages 5 to 12, which has now completed its second year with more than 50 participants. Jieru also founded Passport to Fun, an event held at the Chantilly

to answer questions and to suggest the appropriate vocabulary one should use in talking to and about a transgender person. He has been willing to be the subject of school newspaper and yearbook articles that further promote understanding, and he has shown that a matter-of-fact attitude on this sensitive subject can facilitate an open dialogue. Jennifer Fargo, a Westfield counselor, speaks of Logan’s “peaceful lead-by-example ways”.

Logan’s influence has extended beyond his own school. Ms. Fargo notes, “While Fairfax County Public Schools was debating the addition of gender identity to the FCPS non-discrimination policy, Logan met with FCPS officials and openly shared his experiences so that the officials could hear and learn from an affected student. Through his bravery and vision, Logan has found his own path to leadership.”

By telling his own story, Logan feels he has enabled others to learn about people who are similar or different from themselves. His efforts have facilitated dialogue, policy change, and acceptance instead of polarization and confrontation in an area that is new territory for society in general.

2016-2017: Shaan Chudasama, Senior

Shaan Chudasama is the co-founder and vice president of Young at Art, a non-profit organization that helps the elderly, disadvantaged children, and veterans improve their opportunities and quality of life through various art-related activities.

Shaan’s organization raised almost $10,000 through a variety of fundraising, company sponsorships, and personal donations. He and his sister created the organization in 2013, tapping his passion for sports and her passion for art. They have worked with organizations such as the Special Olympics and Sunrise Assisted Living to offer activities involving both art and movement. The organization develops and teaches art classes, delivers performances and lectures, educates participants and the community about the arts and their benefits, and conducts other activities to improve confidence, self-esteem, and motor skills.

Young at Art worked with the Young Athletes Program, sponsored by Special Olympics, to teach 15 children with disabilities, ages 2-7, art projects and other activities designed to improve their motor skills. The program has increasing levels of difficulty, so participants can see their own progress. Shaan also coordinates the Young at Art leadership team, consisting of students from other Fairfax County schools, to expand the reach of Young at Art and increase the number of programs they offer. Shaan’s efforts with Young at Art last year earned him a Gold President's Volunteer Service Award (an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service).

Shaan says, "Delivering art- and sports-related programs for both the elderly and disadvantaged children has not only allowed me to help those who are in need, but it has also enabled me to inspire peace and selflessness throughout the community."

Additional information about Young at Art is at www.yaava.org.

2017-2018: Kimberly Schmaus, Senior

Kimberly Schmaus is a member of the Fairfax County Student Human Rights Commission (SHRC), an organization dedicated to promoting appreciation for diversity throughout the county. Activities included hosting a poster contest to highlight the concepts of diversity and equality embodied in the 50 year-old Fair Housing Act, creating a video about diversity, and writing a book for elementary schools about diversity as well. Kim is also the treasurer and a board member of the Chantilly chapter of Girl Up, a club that raises awareness of the oppression and struggles that girls face in third-world countries.

In addition, Kim is the historian/editor of her school’s International Awareness Club, an organization that helps promote understanding of diversity, cultural differences, and international issues.

2018-2019: Yahang “Annie” Wang, Senior

Yahang “Annie” Wang immigrated to the U.S. from China 10 years ago and found that she and her family faced discrimination due to the language barrier. She says her discovery of rap music helped her appreciate the beauty of the English language and enabled her to express herself by writing lyrics. Creating raps about topics important to her provides a creative outlet and a way to improve her English.

Annie performed an original rap at the 2018 Virginia Girls State Conference on female empowerment and the social inequalities young women face. Many of the girls told her they felt encouraged by her performance. “The raps I write are inspired by my high school experiences,” she said. “They’ve helped me get through difficult times and, as a performance artist, I think they’ll help others.” The raps focus on change such as advocating the importance of teachers, encouraging a positive body image, and overcoming depression and negativity while reaching for success.

Annie has been on the Fairfax County Public Schools Student Advisory Council for the past two years and has worked on issues to improve the schools and to help minorities who don’t have a voice. “I've been able to advocate for fellow immigrants, inspire low-income families, and empower young women,” Annie said. In addition, over the past three years, she has volunteered more than 120 hours at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.

Annie says, “As a first-generation immigrant, I’m driven to give back to the community that’s helped me thrive in my times of need.”

2019-2020: Anand Colaco, Senior

Anand Colaco is the head captain of the 120-student Chantilly High School debate team. In this role, he reviews other students’ work, teaches policy debate format, leads workshops, and keeps track of paperwork, dues, and contact information.

Anand says that he would not be the debater he is without the help of his coaches, and he now wants to use his position as head captain to motivate and mentor new debaters. He spends much of his time and energy teaching and preparing other students for debate, even attending all-day debate tournaments to observe and critique what other students do. “I want to be able to pass on what I’ve learned and create an inviting community where all members feel their voices are heard,” he said. “I feel everyone has different ideas, but we can only grow by listening to all ideas.”

“I started with the debate team my freshman year, and it didn’t come naturally to me,” Anand said. But with practice and winning a few trophies, his self-confidence grew. As part of his desire to give back, for the past three summers he has led a speech workshop for elementary school students called Speak Up. The workshop helps the students to find their voices and increases their self-confidence. He also teaches them listening skills, so they can listen to opposing views to better understand and communicate with others. “My work with Speak Up began when I wanted more people to know that speaking publicly is uplifting, and early exposure helps create a more confident generation,” he said.

“As someone who cares as much about the success of others as he does about himself, Anand really is one of the best captains I’ve ever had,” said debate teacher, Barbara Clougherty.