Youth Activism Society
MEET THE YAS TEAM
Youth Activism Society started in Idaho, but we now have 5+ chapters and 100+ members! Below is our amazing team, which includes, chapter leaders, founders, and national board members.
Alina Rahim
Co-Founder and National Director
Alina Rahim lives in South-East Idaho and is a junior attending Stanford University’s Online High School, she competes in fencing, tennis, and also plays the piano. She utilizes her free time outside of school to run and organize multiple projects in her local community. Alongside her projects outside of school, she has a passion for reading about philosophy, activism, medicine, filmmaking, and bioethics. Her passion for filmmaking and photography is leading her to produce and direct her own film. She plans to pursue a career in medicine and to continue advocating for change in our society, while producing films and documentaries. She hopes the youth-powered and youth-led organization will achieve their goal of creating change nationally by starting locally
Ariana Wasim
Assistant Director
Ariana is a current high school junior from New York City, outside of school she participates in numerous extra curricular’s such as Track and Field, cross country, and service clubs. She works with the Youth Activism Society, and two other non-profit organizations called the DESSH Foundation and Muslim Volunteers for New York. She has been engaged with community service since she was young and hopes to continue with this work by expanding YAS and helping to start a chapter in New York. She is incredibly excited by her chance to work with the wonderful national team and chapter leads in an effort to make YAS as successful as possible in it’s endeavors.
Catalina Arriaga
Assistant Director
Catalina Arriaga is from Mcallen, a small border town at the tip of Texas. She is 16, Mexican-American, and attends The IB program at Lamar Academy. Aside from being the assistant national director for YAS, Catalina is a mock trial staff member for the National Hispanic Institute, Co-chair for the department of special events/programs for The RGV matters, and founder of the youth democratic chapter in her county. Some of her hobbies include running long distance, reading leftist political/historical theory, being active with local/national politics, and public speaking. She plans on majoring in international relations with a double major in possibly political science/economics. She hopes to one day be an attorney for a civil liberties agency/non-profit
Julieth Lara
National Project Director
Julieth Lara is a current high school junior at Los Altos High School in California. Outside of school & YAS, she is the executive director & founder of Girls for Politics, head of activism for Operation Four Magazine, logistics officer for the LAHS Model United Nations Team, interned for several congressional campaigns, and is a board member for her city's youth philanthropy program. Julieth’s hobbies include pen-palling, going to concerts, & creating service projects. She plans on studying politics, sociology, & public policy in college. Afterward, she hopes to become a public interest attorney or policy analyst.
Amulya Gade
National Chapter Manager
Amulya Gade is a Junior at Northville High School in Michigan. She loves to create realistic pencil portraits of animals and people and has received her graduation certificate for Bharatanatyam– classical Indian Dance. She is also the Founder and President of her school’s Environmental Club. Her greatest passion is activism, specifically racial equality, women’s rights, and environmental protection. She hopes to further her passion of activism in University where she plans to pursue a career Public Health. She believes that youth activism will benefit the future of our generation and our country.
Pooja Birla
Finance Director
Pooja Birla is a freshman at Clements High School. She is a passionate activist in her school and community. She hopes her activism through YAS and other organizations will help in improving conditions for marginalized communities. In her free time, she enjoys studying philosophy, physics, and math. Her hobbies include reading and writing poetry. She hopes to become a lawyer. She hopes to use her platform to help queer youth.
Jeevet Kaur
Co-Chapter Leader California
Jeevet Kaur (known mostly by her friends by the name of Jeeves) is a rising junior at Stanford Online High School. She is an avid activist inside her school community, leading the debate club and taking student government roles in the hope of making a difference. Outside of her school, she engages locally with her Sikh neighborhood by teaching her religion and language at Sunday School. Because of her involvement in diverse communities, both inside and outside of school, she took an interest in healthcare initiatives, humanitarian crises, and fighting for equality for women and POC, which led her to Youth Activism Society. In the future, she hopes to take a strong role in legal studies and politics where she will continue fighting for what’s right.
Lexi Tabacu
Co-Chapter Leader California
Lexi Tabacu, a rising junior at Stanford Online High School, is an active member of her community and tries to spread the word and educate people on prevalent societal issues. Outside of school, she plays harp at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and pursues music in all forms. She has taken on numerous leadership roles in her school, that range from leading a club in Psychology & Philosophy and participating in Student Government. Her main passions include women’s rights, black lives matter, and, equal treatment for all, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. In the future, she will pursue either Neuroscience/Psychiatry and/or Business, and hopes to open her own private practice where she can offer mental health treatment for whoever needs it.
Abby O'Connell
Co-Chapter Leader Michigan
Abby O’Connell is a Junior at Northville High School! Abby is a varsity rower at her school and a former varsity cross country runner! Abby loves the outdoors and the environment, spending her time with the hiking club especially as its current president! Abby enjoys giving back to her community most importantly above else through activism projects, public speaking, and volunteer work through her volunteering for Rotary International, the Red Cross, and through the Youth Advisory Board of the YMCA! Outside of school Abby tutors young students in China in the English language over the weekends and also works as a cashier. Abby hopes to study psychology while minoring in the Russian language at the University of Michigan. Her interests within activism stand largely in women’s rights, transgender rights, environmental action, racial equality, and education. Abby hopes to continue educating and helping others through working with the Youth Activism Society to make positive changes within Michigan!
Rachel Hu
Co-Chapter Leader Michigan
Rachel is a junior attending Stanford Online High School and Northville High School. Rachel is a peer tutor and teaching assistant for numerous classes and a student ambassador. Outside of school, she is a competitive golfer and a huge advocate for educational justice.
Myra Khan
Co-Chapter Leader Idaho
Myra Khan is a Sophomore at Highland High school in Pocatello, ID, and Idaho Chapter Leader. she likes to sketch/paint, and educate herself on important topics in her free time. She is very passionate about woman’s reproductive rights, climate change, and immigration right/laws.
EmmaJo Kendall
Co-Chapter Leader Idaho
EmmaJo Kendall was born and raised in southeast Idaho. She is currently enrolled in online school as a sophomore and is working towards graduating early to enroll in college to become a teacher. Emma enjoys reading, watching netflix, and hanging out with family in her free time. She is co-leader of the Idaho chapter with Myra and she has enjoyed being apart of YAS!
Tati Streidl
Chapter Leader Texas
Tatiana (Tati) Streidl is the chapter leader for YAS Texas and is based on Frisco, Texas. She is 17 and starting her senior year at Stanford Online High School. Outside of school she loves rock climbing, painting, and taking an active part in online activism where she is passionate about LGBTQIA+ rights, Black Lives Matter, and immigration rights. She couldn't be more excited to lead the new Texas chapter of Youth Activism Society!
Madelyn Zamelis
Chapter Leader Utah
Madelyn Zamelis is 16 years old and lives in Provo, Utah! She is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, and healthcare access. She is a sophomore at Timpview high school. Madelyn fences foil at Valkyrie fencing, and loves playing the piano. In her free time she likes to paint, sew, and ski. Madelyn is excited to start working with YAS and create change nationally by starting locally.