Spring 2021 Cohort
These dedicated students will be volunteering their time as Tyler Clementi Foundation Youth Ambassadors from April 2021 – February 2022 to plan anti-bullying projects in their communities. Learn more about Annabelle, Aya, Caelyn, Caroline, Dylan, Eman, Emma, Gabrielle, Jaylyn, Jeff, Joel, Justin, Karley, Lindsay, Maddie, Maya, Paloma, Rakshit, Sara, Sean, Yema, and Zoey. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Annabelle Bagdon
Annabelle Bagdon became a youth ambassador because she believes that change starts with one person. Her friends describe her as a friendly, outgoing person who is always there for the people in need. As a YA, she believes that working toward the Tyler Clementi Foundation’s goal of ending bullying will bring about positive change in her community. Annabelle is active in both the performing arts and visual arts including digital design, drawing, and painting. She is eager to increase her own understanding of topics such as social justice and environmental issues and hopes that her life experiences will allow her to be an advocate for those in need. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Aya Moughni
Aya Moughni is an Arab-American student from Dearborn, Michigan. She enjoys being involved in her community and participating in athletic activities including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track. Aya plans to pursue one of these sports in college and at the professional level. She is a member of several school and community organizations. Her favorite subject is Algebra but she enjoys Biology as well. Aya has two brothers, one sister, a mom, and a dad. She is the youngest in her family. In her first year as a Youth Ambassador, Aya is excited to meet others with similar interests, personalities, and goals. The Tyler Clementi Foundation caught her eye because she stands up to bullying as an Upstander and leader in sports, school, and clubs. Through this program, Aya believes that she can have a vast impact on her community. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Caelyn Osbern
Caelyn Osbern has been a performer since she was two when she discovered her love for singing, and along the way, also discovered her love for acting and dancing as well. She describes herself as a raging feminist and black lives matter enthusiast. She does Leman Mainstage (the musical) as well as The One-Act Play every year. Although she wants to be a Broadway and film star, she’d love to study law and psychology as well, because she is a politically active person and she also considers herself the therapist friend. She was baptized at Middle Collegiate Church, a progressive church where she sings in the chorus, which never fails to make her feel welcome. She wanted to become a Youth Ambassador because she wanted to uplift and help people (especially kids) to become their best selves after being bullied, and also to help others be Upstanders who prevent and interrupt bullying. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Caroline Esquivel
Caroline Esquivel attends West Hall High School in Oakwood, Georgia. She participates in dance, jazz, tap ballet, acrobatics, and baton, and cross country. In her free time, Caroline enjoys sculpting, cooking, baking, making jewelry, and hanging out with friends. One of Caroline’s aspirations is to become a graphic designer. She joined Youth Ambassadors in order to make her community a kinder, more accepting place. She plans to do this by raising awareness for the harmful effects of bullying and encouraging her peers to be Upstanders. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Dylan Fetterman
Dylan Fetterman is a freshman at North Broward Preparatory High School in Florida. He is very passionate about inclusion and diversity and believes in listening to other’s unique and diverse perspectives, while also standing up for those who don’t have a voice. This is Dylan’s first year as a Youth Ambassador and he is excited to learn more about leadership and being an advocate for others. Dylan wanted to be a part of the Tyler Clementi Foundation because he wants to make a difference in his community and decrease the rate of bullying. Serving as a Youth Ambassador, he plans to use his voice to make a positive impact on his community. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Eman Sedqi
Eman Sedqi is a Yemeni-Turkish student who was born and raised in Dubai and moved to the USA with her family to pursue a better education. Having such a diverse background, and living in a very diverse country-Dubai-has reflected a lot on her personality and character. She is also the oldest sister in the family, meaning that she is responsible for her siblings. Despite her diverse background, she was never a bully and has never been bullied, however, she believes that a person doesn’t have to experience bullying in order to be an Upstander. An example of this happened when Eman interrupted a bullying scenario in order to stand up for a friend. Since she moved from a country that is like a hometown to her for better education, she came here with plans to attend her dream university—The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. To achieve this goal, she will need to positively impact her community. At first, this sounded impossible, however, she has found many new opportunities to affect change. These opportunities have turned her dream into a realistic goal. Eman wants to show her interest in helping others since it’s been a huge part of her life and transformed her into who she is today. She decided to become a Youth Ambassador because she would like to use her abilities to make the world a kinder place. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Emma Goss
Emma Goss is 15 years old and is a freshman at Johnson High School in Flowery Branch, Georgia. She is very determined and eager to end bullying and is honored to be a Youth Ambassador for the Tyler Clementi Foundation. Emma has a special needs brother, Ben, who is one of the many reasons why she applied to become a Youth Ambassador. She helps her family take care of her brother and she has a strong passion for caring for others. Emma is also very passionate about being a leader in her community and, along with being a Youth Ambassador, is involved with a leadership program called Georgia 4-H where she participates in many community service projects throughout the year. In her free time, Emma enjoys painting, writing, photography, and kayaking. She also likes to connect with new people and share experiences with others. One of Emma’s many aspirations is to go to college at Emory University and become a prosecution lawyer or a forensic psychologist. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Gabrielle Busi
Gabrielle Busi is a Junior at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida. She enjoys adventures and traveling to exotic places, while also adoring outdoors because of her experiences attending and working at a sleepaway camp each summer. In addition, playing sports is a thrilling outlet for her. Gabi’s friends describe her as humorous, friendly, optimistic, independent, and extraordinarily passionate. As the independent teen that she is, Gabrielle hopes to collaborate with other Youth Ambassadors to make her school environment mentally, physically, and emotionally safer. Gabrielle aspires to graduate from a pristine college and pursue a career in medical science. Science and medicine have always been a passion of hers due to a strong desire to advocate for communities and children in order to change the world. Gabrielle expresses her passion for change through leadership in school clubs and activities. To name a few, she serves as Secretary of the Suicide Awareness Prevention Club, Junior Captian for her Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team, a Holocaust Memorial Ambassador, and a member of the Psychology Club and Wishing U-Well club. She also volunteers for Boca Helping Hands to provide food for less fortunate families in her community. Gabrielle applied to become a Youth Ambassador for the sole purpose of encouraging her generation to take a stand against bullying! Gabrielle hopes that by joining Tyler Clementi Foundation’s advocacy work, she will continue to bring about positive change by discouraging bullying and teen suicide across the country, and hopefully the whole world. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Jaylyn Morales
Jaylyn Morales is a junior at High Point Regional High School in New Jersey. She loves making desserts and crafts for friends and family, playing Field Hockey and Lacrosse, and meeting new people. For as long as she can remember, Jaylyn has been passionate about helping others. She has been able to do so through volunteering as a member of organizations such as Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) and Peers Rejoicing In a Drug-Free Environment (PRIDE) at her school. However, Jaylyn wanted to be a part of something much bigger than just her school. The Tyler Clementi Foundation offers Jaylyn an amazing opportunity to spread a message of kindness and acceptance towards others in order to prevent the harmful effects of bullying. Jaylyn decided to become a Youth Ambassador to pursue these ambitions and to have a positive impact in her community. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Jeff Hafendorfer
Jeff Hafendorfer is a senior at Trinity High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He was recently accepted into the University of Louisville and will begin as a freshman in Fall 2021. Jeff will be studying exercise science with the goal of becoming a professional athletic trainer and coach. An extremely caring person, Jeff joined Youth Ambassadors in order to help individuals experiencing bullying or cyberbullying. As someone who has experienced bullying, he wants to encourage young people to reach out for help. During high school, Jeff participated in the Culinary Club, Kentucky Youth Association, Kentucky United Nations Assembly, and played several sports. Jeff is passionate about sports and is a loyal University of Louisville Cardinals fan and University of Florida Gators fan. He enjoys playing and watching basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Joel Morales
Joel Morales is a 15-year-old sophomore at High Point Regional High School in Wantage, NJ. Joel is the vice-president for both his school’s S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violence Everywhere) club and for his sophomore class in Student Council. He is a Social Media Ambassador and Peer Counselor for his school, High Point Regional High School. Joel is also a part of the Center for Prevention & Counseling Youth Advisory Board and participates in Interact, Pass It Along, and Peers Rejoicing in a Drug-Free Environment (PRIDE) clubs. Outside of school, Joel enjoys filmmaking, cooking, and volunteering his time. Joel decided to become a Youth Ambassador because he believes that it is important to promote inclusion, make a change in society, and end online and offline bullying for all. After high school, Joel plans on attending college and continuing to work for a better future. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Justin Grossman
Justin Grosman is a Junior in high school at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida. His hobbies consist of playing basketball and cooking. He enjoys taking leadership roles in his community and making an impact on the lives of others. After discovering the Tyler Clementi Foundation, he found that the mission of the foundation directly aligns with his interests and morals. He joined Youth Ambassadors in order to encourage his peers to be Upstanders by interrupting and preventing online and offline bullying. Justin is eager to impact change by promoting kindness and inclusion among his peers. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Karley Martelli Dobronski
Karley Martelli Dobronski is a Junior at Cliffside Park High School who was born in New York and raised in New Jersey. From a very young age, Karley was introduced to mindfulness and awareness. Since age eight, she has attended the Landmark Forum four times, this transformative learning model allows people to become more mindful of the fundamental processes that govern how they know, perceive, and behave. As a result of this knowledge, individuals can be more deeply in tune with their own and others’ potential by noticing that they can think and behave in ways that go beyond their preconceived notions and limitations. Then at the age of 11, she moved to south Florida, where she struggled with suicidal thoughts and depression before discovering the Peaceful Minds Center: a place where anyone in the world can learn from teachings about their mind and what it is to be human in order to end their pain and suffering. There she was mentored and educated on subjects like awareness, ego, and meditation. This past September, she was hired as an intern for the Peaceful Minds Center. She joined The Tyler Clementi Foundation as a Youth Ambassador to spread kindness and awareness in order to help stop bullying in her community. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Lindsay Orellana
Lindsay Orellana is a 15-year-old sophomore at High Point Regional High School in Wantage, New Jersey. She is involved with multiple volunteer clubs at her school like Interact, Passing it Along, and Pride. In Interact, Lindsay organized a toy drive for the Goryeb Children’s Hospital’s “Treasure Box”. She is also a part of the Youth Ambassadors Board from The Center for Prevention, located in Newton, New Jersey. In this organization, they work to promote health, hope, and recovery among all people by fostering a community in which individuals and families thrive. In the future, Lindsay hopes to go to school for either business or marketing, as they have been major interests of hers since she was little. She heard about the Tyler Clementi Foundation through her friends in Pride and decided that she just had to apply. She decided to become a Youth Ambassador because she wants to become a great leader for her community so that it can become a better place for people of all ages. Lindsay hopes that being a part of the Youth Ambassadors Program will allow her to apply her passion for helping others. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Maddie McGreevy
Maddie McGreevy is a junior at Pemberton Township High School in Pemberton, New Jersey. She applied for Youth Ambassadors in order to end bullying once-and-for-all. Maddie is very passionate about inclusion and diversity and believes in standing up for others as an ally to those who may not have a voice. This is Maddie’s first year as a Youth Ambassador and she is eager to discover more about leadership and being an advocate for others. She currently serves as the President of her school’s chapter of the Interact Club as well as class secretary on the student council. She has also participated in school musicals as a cast member. Outside of school, she spends her time working as Burlington County’s Leader for #Day1 and running her own student organization: poZitive.vibes! She aspires to be on the board of directors of a nonprofit organization that leads the youth of America and beyond to a better future. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Maya Slatoff
Maya Slatoff is a native of South Florida, and you might say that her sunny disposition is a perfect match with the climate of the area. She is well-liked and respected by her peers and her teachers because of her honesty and hard-working nature. Maya’s extracurricular activities include dance, orchestra, robotics, and participating in civic organizations. Maya is the co-President of the Feltingoff Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) club at her school, which strives to create an inclusive environment to help prevent school violence. Maya is passionate about helping others in her community and beyond. She believes in teaching and spreading kindness and trying to help others see that diversity is a strength. One special interest Maya has is in Holocaust education and in making sure that the lessons of this atrocity are never forgotten. Maya really enjoys learning and is an IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma candidate at her high school. Maya decided to apply to be a Youth Ambassador so that she can learn more about ways to interrupt and prevent bullying in her school and community. In the future, Maya hopes to work in the medical field. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Paloma Alonso
Paloma Alonso is a 14-year-old New York City native attending the Léman Manhattan Preparatory School. She began studying cello 7 years ago and has pursued her passion for dance at New York Theatre Ballet since the age of four. In 2017, Paloma joined the New York Philharmonic Young Composers Program. On December 7th, 2019, during the Young People’s Concert series, the New York Philharmonic orchestra performed Paloma’s original composition for orchestra. She joined the Youth Ambassadors program in order to raise awareness for the harmful effects of bullying and the importance of inclusion and acceptance. She hopes that her efforts will result in bringing about a positive change in her community. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Rakshit Sridhar
Rakshit Sridhar is a 19-year-old student from New Delhi, India who is studying remotely at New York University. His hobbies include singing, listening to music, playing soccer, and playing chess. He joined Youth Ambassadors because he wanted to take the initiative to help many people across the globe. As a student growing up in India, Rakshit experienced bullying in school and therefore knows the harmful effects it can have. He is looking forward to the opportunity to help raise awareness about these harmful effects of bullying and harassment, and he would like to encourage his peers to prevent, interrupt, and report bullying when they see it. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Sara Elkoussy
Sara Elkoussy is a 16-year-old student from Dearborn Michigan. Her family is predominantly Egyptian and Scottish. She enjoys studying Business, Mechanical Engineering, and other courses in the STEM field. She decided to apply for Youth Ambassadors with the goal of preventing and interrupting bullying in her community. Through Youth Ambassadors, she hopes to connect with people who have experienced harassment and bullying scenarios similar to her own. Sara would like to prevent others from experiencing this pain and sadness alone. She admires the Tyler Clementi Foundation’s ambitious goal of ending bullying, to which she hopes to contribute by working to prevent bullying, abusive behaviors, and discrimination. After graduating from high school, Sara hopes to study mechanical engineering with a minor in aerospace engineering or astronomy. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Sean Keiser
Sean Keiser is a 15-year-old student at the Sanford School in Delaware. He enjoys performing in musicals and plays at his school and he is passionate about all things related to performing arts. He currently studies and performs for both voice and piano. He joined Youth Ambassadors to stand up for kids who don’t have anyone to stand up for them and strongly believes that if acting with empathy and kindness helps others to do the same. He is a kind, empathetic and compassionate person who takes pride in helping others in his community feel accepted and comfortable. He looks forward to working to making his school a more positive place by encouraging his peers to prevent and interrupt bullying. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Yema Kangaju
Yema is a sixteen-year-old from Cherry Hill, New Jersey who enjoys dancing, cheerleading, playing clarinet in her school’s lab band, volunteering, and cooking. Yema spends her summers volunteering at her city’s public library and loves being involved in events that occur at her church. She also enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and having movie nights together. Yema decided to become a Youth Ambassador because she has always loved to help the people around her by promoting acceptance, compassion, and open-mindedness. Through Youth Ambassadors, she hopes to make long-lasting positive impacts on as many people as she possibly can. Yema is also proud to be one of the #Day 1 leaders for Camden County. When she grows up, she hopes to be a successful businesswoman and open a chain of restaurants worldwide. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Zoey Van Peppen
Zoey Van Peppen is a junior at the Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her hobbies include baking, theater, and looking at restaurant menus from around the world. Her favorite class in school is Sustainable Agriculture, where she learns about how our food choices can shape the environment. She is currently working on a project to rebuild her school’s 100-year-old farm. She is a member of the Friendship Circle Teen Leadership Board, an organization that promotes inclusion by fostering friendships between teens and individuals with disabilities through advocacy, Birthday Circle events, Friends at Home and Friends with Pens programs, and social media. She decided to become a Youth Ambassador because she has experienced firsthand the painfulness of bullying and does not want anyone else to have to go through that, especially alone. She wants to create change in her community and inspire other teens to be passionate about the goal of ending bullying. [su_divider text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]
Read more about the incredible impact the Youth Ambassadors made in 2020.
Read more about the incredible impact the Youth Ambassadors made in 2019.
Read more about the incredible impact the Youth Ambassadors made in 2018. [su_divider text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]