Class of 2025 Ambassadors
The Ambassador Program aims to foster learning and civic engagement through community service, volunteerism, and leadership in highly motivated and mature Davidson Students. The following group represents the 2025 class of Davidson Ambassadors. Please take a moment to learn about their service projects in their own words.
Advika A.
15
Houston, TX
High School
“I like to listen to music from a variety of genres, classical dance, and lear how to bake new desserts.“
Project: RecyConnect
Theoretically, putting items into recycling bins makes the environment cleaner. That’s what I thought before my visit to the MRF (Materials Recovery Facility), where I learned that the general public is not aware how to properly differentiate between recyclable and non-recyclable items. Contamination in recycling bins makes 76% of potentially recyclable items end up in the landfill.
The project RecyConnect addresses the need by providing a tool that helps users determine recyclable items. This tool can be easily adopted into households being accessible for many, now that everyone is on their phone. By recycling properly and learning about it, users also get rewards.
Akshay L.
16
Pittsburgh, PA
Fox Chapel Area High School
“I like to play piano and baseball.“
Project: Protected Play
For my whole life, recreational sports have played an outsized role in my overall happiness. Having sustained multiple sports injuries as a child, I have experienced firsthand the impact that playing incorrectly can have on a child’s health. Broken fingers in particular, on my piano teacher’s ultimatum, forced me to choose between basketball and piano. Additionally, while working with younger children enrolled in FabLab summer camps and at Children’s Hospital PT/OT department, and researching ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries, I saw how preventable recreational sports injuries can be. Concussions are the biggest issue due to the most long-term impact. I hope to create a peer-led safety program to teach children (ages 5-14) about specific sport and recreation injuries, how these could impact them, and how to prevent such injuries. I hope that children in my community and beyond will benefit from learning how to identify injuries and from learning strategies for sport and recreational injury prevention.
Alexander L.
12
Sparks, NV
Homeschooled and University of Nevada, Reno School of Music
“I like to read, attend musical events, compose music, write stories, swim, and ski.“
Project: Making the Joy of Music Accessible to Northern Nevada Kids & Families
I would like to convey to kids and families that classical music can be fun, and also has lasting impacts on cognitive and emotional development. Specifically, to parents, I would like them to know that there are many opportunities in Northern Nevada to expose their children to classical music events that are low-cost or no-cost. Their investment can be minimal, but the benefits are many! Attending classical music events may completely capture a child’s desire to hear more, to take up an instrument, and to even create their own music! Also, attending classical music events has exposed me to a variety of composers and encourages me to study the influences of history on their music.
I was inspired to apply to the Davidson Ambassador Program to enhance my current community service project, “Making the Joy of Music Accessible to Northern Nevada Kids & Families.” I am passionate about my mission because of the difference classical music has made in my life. It has put me on a path where I am able to express my joy and appreciation of music through studying, performing, and composing.
I would like to open the doors of our wonderful music community to kids and families here in Northern Nevada. I’m confident this project will inspire the music lovers, musicians, conductors, or composers of the next generation! www.youngcomposeralex.com
Amritha P.
15
Buffalo Grove, IL
Public School
“I like to crochet.“
Project: Amethyst Changemakers
In 2020, I started the ‘Math for All Abilities’ club with the mission of making math accessible to students of all abilities. This initiative inspired me to tackle broader challenges within STEM education, leading to the creation of Amethyst Changemakers. I recognized that true inclusion could not be achieved without educating all students to embrace and support their peers with disabilities. While students with disabilities are often taught to adapt to a ‘normal’ world, their peers are not taught how to create an inclusive space for everyone. Many students, especially those with disabilities or from underrepresented backgrounds, face significant barriers to accessing quality STEM education. These barriers limit the opportunities for diverse voices and talents to contribute to innovation and progress. To address these issues, Amethyst Changemakers is dedicated to developing accessible learning tools and advocating for inclusive educational policies.
https://www.amethystchangemakers.org/home
Anna M.
14
Westerville, OH
Westerville South High School
“I like to read, attend musical events, compose music, write stories, swim, and ski.“
Project: NeuroVenture
In my project, I aim to address the issue of ableism among neurotypicals by fostering empathy and understanding toward neurodivergent individuals. I want to shift the perception that thinking differently is “bad” and emphasize the untapped potential within the neurodiverse community to contribute to innovation and discovery.
To achieve this, I’m creating a realistic, interactive, choose-your-own experience that immerses neurotypical users in the everyday challenges faced by neurodivergent children and teens. By drawing on research in digital empathy and immersive storytelling, I want to create an engaging and impactful tool that helps users intuitively understand neurodivergent perspectives, fostering acceptance and driving meaningful change.
Anya V.
15
Hillsborough, NJ
Hillsborough High School
“I love talking to my friends or catching myself up on the latest research in gene editing and neuroscience. You can also find me rallying on the tennis courts on a warm day, or watching movies when it’s cold!“
Project: BRAIN Project
I have been pushing myself to be the best version of myself since I was little. Eventually, I found myself intrigued by STEM, and even more so by neuroscience. In my quest to deepen my knowledge in this field, I came across a common problem that many people across the world do today: there is so much to learn in neuroscience, but very little accessible, understandable resources to help us.
BRAIN Project serves as a bridge for students to reach higher understanding. It opens the doors to several opportunities that otherwise would not be accessible. With a chance to explore their understanding through their own book writing initiatives, or to express their learning with neuroethics debates, BRAIN Project makes sure that everyone — regardless of their background, is able to reach their full potential in the field of neuroscience.
Barak S.
11
Sunnyvale, CA
Helios School in Sunnyvale, CA
“I like to play basketball, do Lego Robotics (FLL) and debate, piano, LARP, learn Hebrew, and volunteer.“
Project: Game On
A study featured on Physics World showed how 70% of students in school who show initial interest in physics leave the subject. My goal is to change that in the youth. Professor Po-Shen Loh of Carnegie Mellon recently gave a talk to the middle school students at my school. He explained how, to make someone do something–or in this case be interested in something–you have to target them from a personal standpoint. I will use this fact in my project. Since there are many kids who are interested in basketball, I will use that personal fact to help them start a lifelong interest in physics. I will use information from a passion project I did in my school about the physics of basketball to help do this. A passion project is something that my school does where each student picks a topic they are personally interested in and makes a project about it. I could use this information to help kids who do not have access to advanced materials or thousands of dollars for other kits to learn physics, learn about physics using their love for basketball.
Brielle B.
13
Arroyo Grande, CA
Public Junior High School
“I love photography, chess, poetry, soccer, tennis, and piano. I am enjoying being a prosecutor for Mock Trial this year, but my favorite thing to do is hang out with my family and pets.“
Project: Grade Acceleration: Student Support Website
Across the country 1% of students skip a grade, but they may not know others who did. There are many resources available for parents who are considering grade acceleration, but there are almost no resources to support students who have already skipped a grade or more. Recently moving into junior high has me thinking all over again about some of the challenges that come with grade acceleration. For example, a boy in my class recently asked if I was in third grade! It might have been a joke, but it reminded me that we all could benefit from additional support. When I skipped a grade, I knew it was the right choice, but I still had tough moments.
My project will be a website with interviews with professionals, highlights of my and others’ personal journeys, resources for students, a pen pal page where you can write to someone who has skipped a grade, and more. The interviews and articles will be from experts directed at students (rather than parents). Specifically, I want to inspire other kids to be strong in difficult moments and know they are not alone. This project will provide a well-needed support system where children could find a story or write to a student with a similar experience. This is why my project will help students who skipped a grade feel more comfortable and that they have additional resources.
Declan H.
14
Anacortes, WA
Anacortes High School
“I love playing golf, piano, viola, and oboe, watching the NBA, composing music, going to debate tournaments, and playing GeoGuessr.“
Project: Hidden Composers
I play multiple instruments and have always loved classical music. As I get older and learn more about music, I have realized there aren’t many diverse faces in the classical world. Why am I not able to play music written by people that look like me? For a world as incredibly diverse as ours, classical music is very centered on Caucasian European males. I started Hidden Composers Project to increase awareness and representation of diverse perspectives in classical music. Hidden Composers works to educate and promote music by composers of diverse ethnicities, nationalities, gender identities, and sexual identities, by highlighting a different work by a ‘hidden’ composer every week.
The hope of Hidden Composers Project is to ensure people are represented and feel included in classical music, thus spreading the universal love of music. I look forward to working on my project further to spread the love of music to all through equal representation and inclusion.
Website Link: hiddencomposers.com
Gabriel S.
15
Phoenix, AZ
Davidson Academy Online
“In my free time, I love to prepare for and compete in Public Forum Debate tournaments, as well as play the guitar.“
Project: Everyone Deserves Debate
My project, Everyone Deserves Debate, focuses on the need for greater access to speech and debate, specifically in middle and high school. Top-level debaters almost all come from expensive debate programs with sophisticated resources guaranteeing success and locking out those that cannot pay. My program will seek to work around the high cost of debate training, including extracurricular and summer camp programs, both for students and for schools to find ways to allow all students to have top-quality training and access. If a school can’t pay – as is, in my experience, the case in most schools – the burden falls on the student, and even if the school can pay, lack of access to expensive summer debate camps and academies keep lower- and middle-income students from succeeding. It is impossible to compete as a lower-income student when the decks are stacked against you as of today. My project aims to fix that problem by opening doors to new opportunities for learning and succeeding. I was inspired by my previous debate partner, who had to quit due to the high cost of debate. After that, I wanted to make sure that didn’t have to happen to anybody else, since I believe debate can be one of the most powerful skills a high-schooler can have, helping problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, quick thinking skills, presentation skills, and more.
Gavin A.
12
Lighthouse Point, FL
Homeschooled
“I enjoy exploring nature, gardening, participating in Science Olympiad, and working on innovative projects like creating educational resources about the environment. I also practice karate, where I recently earned my black belt, and take self-paced STEM courses to learn skills like web design and programming.“
Project: The Environmental Action Network (TEAN)
My project, TEAN, aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting South Florida’s unique ecosystems and combating the challenges posed by invasive species. Inspired by my connection to nature and observations of environmental degradation, I created TEAN to educate and engage the community. The project includes a website to share resources on indigenous and invasive species, local events, and innovative environmental solutions. Additionally, I’m establishing a local TEAN club to involve young people in hands-on conservation activities, such as park cleanups and native plant restoration. I hope to expand this model to other regions in the future.
Gavin H.
12
Los Altos, CA
Independent School
“I enjoy biking, playing flag football and basketball, and I also love cubing.“
Project: Ride to Thrive
I’ve really enjoyed biking ever since I was little and I feel so much freedom when I go biking. I want others to be able to have this feeling too, but some people don’t have access to bikes, or even any form of transportation, which is why I started Ride to Thrive to help those in need.
Grayson C.
11
Wellesley, MA
Meadowbrook School of Weston
“I like to do Rubik’s cube, squash, listening and reading books like Randall Munroe, play table tennis and Minecraft/Roblox.“
Project: Stuffed With Hope
For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of creating a charity to help homeless children. The inspiration for this dream began one day when I saw a homeless family on the street. That image stayed with me, and I have never stopped thinking about it.
With this in mind, my project is to create Stuffed With Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving homeless children stuffed animals. Stuffed animals provide more than comfort; they offer security, warmth, and a sense of familiarity during uncertain times. Their small size and portability make them especially valuable for children without a stable home.
Through this simple yet meaningful gesture, I hope to bring a little joy and comfort to children who need it most.
Jeremy Y.
14
Los Altos Hills, CA
Regnum Christi Catholic Private School
“I like to play golf, do taekwondo, read, dine out, and travel.“
Project: Tackling Loneliness and Isolation in Santa Clara County by Implementing the U.S. Surgeon General’s 6 Pillars to Advance Social Connection
During the pandemic, a lot of people were isolated, and this caused health issues without even contracting COVID-19. My grandpa was among this group. He used to be a university professor in microbiology and taught at several universities, including Yale and Imperial College London. He used to be a very sharp individual, but over the course of the pandemic, his cognitive abilities declined, and he was diagnosed with dementia. He had nobody to talk to except for my grandma and thus, had little cognitive stimulation. Does this matter anymore because the pandemic is over, right? It does matter because there are many other people that are lonely, even when their family is still alive and can visit them. According to pewresearch.org, only 46% of young adults say they talk on the phone or video chat with their parents a few times a week or at least once a day. This leaves 54% of parents, or around 20% of the U.S. overall population, lonely, and during that period when they do not talk to their family on video chat or text, they most likely do not have much to do. This can lead to profound physical and mental health consequences, such as an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, and a higher likelihood of premature death – www.hhs.gov (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). The Surgeon General of the United States Government said this: “It truly is a national health and an urgent issue that has to be dealt with.”
This leads me back to the central question – What inspired me to apply to the Davidson Ambassador Program? The issue of loneliness and isolation inspired me to apply to the Davidson Ambassador Program, because I do not want others to experience the premature death of a family member due to loneliness and isolation, like I did with my grandpa.
Lea E.
12
San Diego, CA
Homeschooled
“I like to ead books, write and record my own pop songs, type up fictional narratives on my laptop, film and edit videos, doodle comics.“
Project: Bridging Minds, Building Understanding: A Neurodiversity Awareness Initiative
My Ambassador initiative is designed to assist individuals with ADHD in navigating daily obstacles by offering valuable content on social media. I intend to develop posts that present strategies and tips for organizing various spaces, such as rooms, closets, and desks, for addressing less appealing yet essential tasks, among other pertinent topics. Leveraging my personal experience with ADHD, I aim to provide solutions that are straightforward, effective, and engaging.
Lucienne K.
17
Manhasset, NY
Manhasset High School
“In my free time, I enjoy playing the viola, baking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.“
Project: WaterWiseYouth
WaterWiseYouth is an educational initiative dedicated to empowering students with the knowledge and skills to become stewards of water conservation and sustainability. Inspired by my own experiences as a student deeply involved in water-related research, I was shocked at the lack of education on local water issues. This gap in education motivated me to create WaterWiseYouth.
Our mission is to inspire and equip students to tackle global water challenges through comprehensive educational programs and community engagement. Our programs include workshops, field trips and collaborative projects, providing students with an understanding of the importance of water and the role they play in its conservation.
By fostering a sense of responsibility and empowerment, WaterWiseYouth aims to create a lasting impact on water usage and conservation efforts. Join us in our journey to make the world a water-wise place, one student at a time.
Madison T.
16
Reno, NV
Davidson Academy (Reno)
“I like BMX biking and playing basketball.“
Project: Northern Nevada Math Circle
I am working to establish a Math Circle in Northern Nevada, designed to bring together mathematicians of all skill levels. Originating in Eastern Europe, Math Circles are communities where participants explore mathematics, develop problem-solving skills, and foster a lifelong love of learning. Before moving to Reno, I was an active member of the UCLA Olga Radko Math Circle, where I connected with like-minded peers and delved into fascinating mathematical concepts. That experience was transformative for me as both a young mathematician and a learner.
Upon relocating to Reno, I was disappointed to find there was no Math Circle in the area. Now, with greater experience and leadership skills, I am eager to create a Math Circle in Northern Nevada. My goal is to provide a space where local mathematicians can grow, collaborate, and thrive as lifelong learners, just as I did in my old Math Circle community.
Nathaniel G.
11
Edmonds, WA
Public School
“I like to play video games and speedcube.“
Project: The Pi Project
The Pi Project is a math club made to help students with math, by having kids teach kids. Some goals of The Pi Project include: expelling any misconceptions about math, making math more approachable to students, and creating a community of people that like math. A small aspect of this project is tutoring. It involves helping those who are behind and excelling those who are not. My inspiration for this project was hearing negative comments about math. From then on, my goal was to get as many kids as possible to not hate math. Math really is a wonderful subject to learn, and I wish that everyone else could know that too.
Rio S.
17
Cambridge, MA
Stanford Online High School
“I enjoy participating in Math/CS competitions, playing squash, and running.“
Project: Making Democracy Count
Increasingly, media fragmentation and the accompanying rise of misinformation and conspiracy theories have led to unprecedented polarization in the US. This in turn has led to a loss of trust in many of our institutions, media, companies, and universities, but especially in our government. I would contend that the root cause of these issues is in fact related to the many anti-democratic and archaic features of our electoral processes.
Inspired by Carnegie Mellon math professor Po Shen Loh’s appeal to “get engaged in politics and use your math skills to help make the world a better place” and Dr. Ismar Volic’s work in Making Democracy Count: How Mathematics Improves Voting, Electoral Maps, and Representation, my Davidson initiative combines research, education, and community outreach. I aim to study gerrymandering—what Dr. Volic describes as “one of the most exciting areas of applied mathematical work”—while developing educational materials that strengthen young Americans’ understanding of the broken math behind our electoral systems. By educating the next generation of voters, my goal is to deepen civic engagement and create lasting political solutions for the issues above.
Sam C.
15
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Private School
“I enjoy Track & Field.“
Project: Kids4Kids Relief
Kids4Kids Relief was founded after the disaster of Hurricane Ian devastated my hometown of Fort Myers, FL. After seeing the impact it left on one of my friends, I started Kids4Kids in an effort to help with both the physical and mental health of children after the disaster. Kids4Kids Relief aims to assist children in disaster-affected areas with all manner of issues.
Savannah B.
16
Huntington Beach, CA
Homeschooled/Dual enrollment
“I like to play piano, act, read, play video games, and hang out with my best friend.“
Project: Transforming Lives Through Music
For my project, I have outlined several goals and creating a meaningful impact on my community. My first goal is to create diverse opportunities for music education in my community. To achieve this I will, l contact my local library to secure a room where I can hold monthly sessions. this will ensure that students have regular and accessible opportunities to engage with music and a supportive environment. Another goal of mine is to inspire a passion for music and kids by providing them with these Hands-On experiences and personalized guidance from me. My hope is that I will be able to inspire a passion for music and kids like the world has inspired in me. I will promote these sessions as completely free. allowing children from all backgrounds to attend without Financial obstacles. throughout the sessions I also hope to share my enthusiasm for music, will in turn encourage these kids to explore and find joy in this type of creative expression. my third goal is to, of course, make an impact in my local community. I plan to advertise via Flyers social media, and Community boards at local community centers that I’m a part of. My overall goal is to make music more accessible to the younger generations and Foster new interests from music in them.
Sofia R.A.
12
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Latin School
“I like playing my clarinet and reading books.“
Project: Helping the Home
My project is focused on an orphanage in Brazil called Lar do Caminho. My goal is to develop the children at Lar do Caminho’s English through lessons and interaction from my community as well as create meaningful experiences for them. I chose this for my project because Lar do Caminho is an organization me and my family have been close to for a long time. I visited these children many times when I lived in Brazil and I have always wanted to find a way to help them.
Taia S.
16
Mission Viejo, CA
Homeschooled
“In my free time, I enjoy blacksmithing, reading, writing and playing music, spending time outdoors, traveling, and indoor skydiving.“
Project: Blacksmithing for Youth
I plan to introduce tweens and teens to blacksmithing as a creative and therapeutic activity through “Blacksmithing Blast Workshops.” These workshops will provide a hands-on experience in a craft that combines art and science. In addition to stress relief, participants will develop skills in focus, resilience, and craftsmanship, offering a unique way for them to manage stress and gain confidence.
Thira A.
12
San Luis Obispo, CA
Davidson Online Academy
“I enjoy reading, crocheting, baking, babysitting, going to the beach, swimming, playing musical instruments: French horn, piano, organ.“
Project: For the Love of Music
“For the Love of Music” will create student music ensembles that select and rehearse music to play at assisted living homes and elder care facilities. I’m inspired to lead this project because I’ve seen how much my grandparents like listening to live music. When my grandfather stayed in a skilled nursing facility for a few weeks, I would visit him and play the piano in the cafeteria. Other residents would gather around to listen. I saw how much they all seemed to appreciate hearing music and watching a young person play. I’ve given several volunteer solo piano concerts at independent- and assisted-living residences locally, and it seems that these performances could be more fun and lively with a group of student musicians performing together! My goal is to start a collaborative volunteer youth group that functions with leadership roles and continues well into the future. The students will determine the music to play, lead themselves in rehearsals, and perform locally for elderly and possibly other populations. We will also ask for audience feedback and document our experiences to share online.
Trillian C.
15
Phoenix, AZ
Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy
“I like to doodle, write, listen to music, and sing in choir.“
Project: The Queer Corner
My Ambassador project is to create a website and online community to provide information, support, and connection for queer gifted students (ages 10-17, approximately). My hope is that these students, whose situation is rather unique (and most thought is not usually given to giftedness and queerness simultaneously) will find it as a place to belong and make friends with one another.