John McMillan
Many members of my family have been public school teachers and administrators during the last 50 years in Mexico and the U.S. One example is my great grandfather who started as a teacher and became a principal at a school in a rural area of Guanajuato, Mexico. Of his 12 children, 6 became teachers. As I have grown up, I have listened to my aunts and uncles discussing their joy at helping their students have access to education. Several years ago, I decided to continue the legacy of my family by volunteering with specials needs students in my community. The experience taught me how fortunate I am and motivated me to help others who have had different lives. Meaningful Teens is a way for me to help a larger group of under served students with math and literacy skills which I believe will help them achieve a higher level of success in their education and lives.
Ashwin Menon
My parents, who grew up in India, immigrated to the US and successfully built their life here thanks to a strong educational background. Coming from a family who values education highly, I have the same values and I am fortunate to have access and support to get an excellent education. Unfortunately, this is not true for kids in many cases. Due to many reasons, children struggle to gain access to a good education or a good support structure to help them be successful. Understanding the purpose behind the Meaningful Teens organization and the amazing things the volunteers have done to serve their community has been very motivating and has encouraged me to participate. My goal is to help provide aid with academics to younger students in my community to help them excel. Through our new program, the Nexus Project, we plan to push for this growth and be the change within the students’ lives.
Alex Borghese
I am excited to be a part of Meaningful Teens because I am passionate about working with kids and helping our communities. From my experience, I know helping kids gain academic confidence will help bolster self-esteem and provide the motivation and joy to keep learning. I enjoy seeing kids grow as student and their enthusiasm and willingness to learn inspires me to be a better student and teacher. Thank you Meaningful Teens!
Yuanhao Zhang
"What makes us who we are today, is not only because of our talent but the advantage of enjoying a dividend of peace. We shall promise to extend it broadly to all. We will find joys and meaning while on the path."
Simryn Regehr
I’m Simryn Regehr and I am a 17 year old Senior in high school. I enjoy rock climbing, reading, baking, and listening to music. I have been tutoring with meaningful teens since spring of 2021. Being able to help students excel and learn has been so exciting. I can’t wait to continue tutoring!
Dedan Kaggio
Hello! My name is Dedan Kaggio and I’m a 16 year old Junior. I like playing the piano, learning spanish, and practico by martial arts. I started helping out with Meaning full teams in the fall of 2021, and I haven’t stopped since :)
Victoria Ma
I'm Victoria Ma, a freshman in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am passionate about teaching young kids to help them learn and improve. I am an avid reader and science lover, and in my free time, I love to paint and play basketball. I have been working with Meaningful Teens since June 2022, and I am eager to use my experience to reach more people.
Lexi Pendola
Since June 2021, I have been tutoring kids ranging from 10 to 17 years old that live in Ukraine. I help teach them English every Saturday morning via zoom. Ever since Russia has invaded Ukraine, I have kept in touch with the kids that I have been tutoring as well as their teacher, Julia. A few weeks ago, she was forced to leave her home and flee to western Ukraine, where it was safer. Ever since then, she has been helping refugees find shelters and volunteering in hospitals. Her determination to help her country has inspired me to do anything I can to help including setting up a GoFundMe page which you can visit at the link below:
Dedan K.
Western Sierra Collegiate Academy
Roseville
California
“Volunteering for Project Diversidad has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve chosen to do as a high-schooler. Helping kids improve their English has enhanced my own teaching skills and my confidence, but more importantly, it helps bring literacy and fluency to many children across California.”
Leia Marshall
Bentley School
Oakland
California
"Ever since joining Meaningful Teens earlier this year, I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences as a tutor and student leader. Meaningful Teens has allowed me to give back to my community and have a lot of fun while doing so; my favorite aspect of tutoring is being a part of the laughs and smiles that each session brings to our students.."
Kate Lafayette
Bentley School
Oakland
California
"Meaningful Teens has helped me better myself and taught me so much, even while I was teaching others. It was a great opportunity to help me give back to my community, form relationships, and help these kids grow and flourish."
Haaset Owens
Inderkum High School
Sacramento
California
"Meaningful Teens has created an interactive platform which strives to support children with reading comprehension and fluency. It is so interesting and wholesome to connect with the students and learn about their different backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences, as well as see them continue to have a growing interest and love for reading. I believe that it is incredible of Meaningful Teens to provide such a platform as a way to academically support children of different national, cultural and economic backgrounds, especially during the midst of this pandemic."
Laijah Day
Marshall Fundamental School
Pasadena
California
"While volunteering as a Meaningful Teens tutor, I have enjoyed building connections with our students while helping them better their reading comprehension skills. Meaningful Teens is an organization that helps students strive, no matter their circumstances, to reach success. That is why, I am honored to be apart of such an amazing program. "
Natalie Keita
Central High School
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
"Meaningful Teens has allowed me to interact with people from different parts of the country, and to hear different perspectives. Through volunteering, I was able to help others with their reading comprehension, all the while learning more about myself and the skills that I possess. Seeing the excitement of reading was truly remarkable, and an experience I will always cherish. "
Lidia Araya
Marshall Fundamental School
Pasadena
California
"Becoming a MeaningfulTeens leader is truly a pleasure. I love the idea of helping children progress in their english language learner skills so that they can feel comfortable regardless of their environment. Knowing that I can help students accomplish their goals is a rewarding experience. "
Aidan Suyapto
La Salle High School
Pasadena
California
“By joining Meaningful Teens, I am able to give back to my community despite the current challenges of social distancing because we are all in this together and we need to remember to support each other. I was able to help others learn, create new friendships, as well as discover other cultures. Being an MT leader gives me the opportunity to share this experience with my peers and helps me to develop leadership skills.”
Sofia Cavicchia
Central High School
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
"My biggest passion is service. I believe the barriers of culture, distance, and language are never barriers at all. The only barrier is our way of thinking. Working with Meaningful Teens, I want to continue breaking down these imaginary barriers by doing meaningful service."
Sajda Adams
Central High School
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
"I want to help people find comfort in knowing what is going on in the world around them. I want to help them gain the tools they need. I want to inspire others as they inspire me."
Joann Zehenni
Marymount High School
Los Angeles
California
"Education is a fundamental building block for success. Meaningful Teens is a tool for young kids to have the opportunity to succeed. Through my time with the MT community, I have had the best time tutoring young kids and meeting new people every week. "