Members

Jonathan Balderes

Senior, Wichita East High School

Hobbies/Interests
Learning about Latin American history and literature, playing the violin, and environmental justice.

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A lawyer, happily helping my community through organizing.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
Its passionate youth who rise up against injustice and call for equity.

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

To have more compassionate institutions that value the well-being of all individuals.

Jarod Hudson

Junior, Wichita East High School

Hobbies/Interests

Cooking, Baking, Filmaking, Gardening, Volunteering for local compaigns, and binging Drag Race with my little sister.

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A successfull immigration attorney helping out those most in need.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...

How active the youth of our city is in terms of local government/politics! It is so refreshing to see so many young people getting involved in local issues as well as take initiative (organizing community events, protests, and reaching out to local politicians to help better our city).

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

The lack of love and empathy we have for each other. In today's political climate especially, compassion is missing greatly.

Amanda Branom

Senior, Maize High School

Hobbies/Interests
Student Council, Forensics, and Scholar's Bowl.

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A Foreign Service Officer

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
All of the little things that make Wichita fun (the scooters downtown are apersonal favorite).

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

Equal access to quality education, especially in a time of hybrid schedules and Zoom meetings for lectures.

Aidan Bhargava

Senior, Wichita Collegiate School

Hobbies/Interests
Spending time with friends and family, Traveling, and Art!

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A successfull business woman working in a big city.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The community!

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

Quality education for everyone.  

Ryan Austin

Senior, Andover Central 

Hobbies/Interests
Flying planes, traveling, politics and history, current events, international relations, building/working with computers, and other random topics I come across and find interesting!

When I am 30 I hope to be...

 Either a commercial airline pilot or a Foreign Service Officer

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The connections to the world, especially through the aviation industry, within which Wichita is a world leader.

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

Building stronger respect for the work people do around the world, no matter what the job or how much they are paid.

Alayna Nguyen

Senior, Wichita East High School

Hobbies/Interests
Traveling and hiking in nature, Thrifitng, Playing the piano, Bike riding!

When I am 30 I hope to be...

An optometrist! 

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The sunsets

If I could chage one thing in the world it would be...

Easier/cheaper traveling for everyone, as well as free college for everyone.

Emma Mantovani 

Sophomore, Wichita Collegiate School

Hobbies/Interests
Tennis, Debate, Student Council, Scholars Bowl

When I am 30 I hope to be...

Finishing training to become a doctor.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The community 

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

To end global warming.  

Esther Liu

Sophomore, Wichita High East High School

Hobbies/Interests
Figure Skating, Debate, Forensics, Tennis, Traveling, Art

When I am 30 I hope to be...

An engineer at Microsoft

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
It is a really nice suburb. You can feel like you're in the middle of a big, busy city one minute, but then drive a few miles and find yourself in the middle of nowhere (that's where the stars are amazing).                   

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

The shortage of jobs. Especially in today's time, people need to be able to earn money and care for themselves and their family. It would be ideal if everyone could have that opportunity and not worry about taking a position someone else might need more.

Satvik Kolla 

Sophomore, The Independent School

Hobbies/Interests
Playing Tennis, Watching sports, Reading, Jogging

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A surgeon.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The peaceful lifestyle 

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

Get rid of the human inclinition to point out only faults in others and make others feel less. 

Daniel Hechenberger

Junior, Wichita Collegiate

Hobbies/Interests
Athletics, Debate, and Fishing.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The friendly disposition of people and their willingness to accept newcomers.

If I could visit any place in the world it would be...
Germany because it is my family's place of origin.

My plans after high school are...

To see the world and try to leave it better than I found it.

Kate Halabi

Sophomore, Wichita East High School

Hobbies/Interests
Debate, Club swimming, Reading, and Keeping up with politics!

When I am 30 I hope to be...

Working as a public defender or policy advisor.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The community! Everyone is so friendly, and it feels like a small town.

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

The way people put their own interests first, even if it hurts the whole community. A lot of global and local issues could be solved if community leaders and members weigh how their decisions affect everyone, not just themselves.

Tatiana Carter

Freshman, Northeast Magnet

Hobbies/Interests
Babysitting, Praise dancing, Playing the viola, and Helping my church.

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A veterinarian.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
All of the artwork and diversity around the city.

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

How people mistreat animals.

Que'Dence

Winfrey-Reed

Sophomore, Wichita West High School

Hobbies/Interests
Crafts, Painting, Drawing, and Other artsy stuff like that.

When I am 30 I hope to be...

Graduated from college and having a career. I also hope to be married and have a down payment on a house.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The people. I have lived here my entire life and I love how friendly the people are.

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

The way people treat others--no one should be treated wrongly.

Isabelle Schafer

Senior, Wichita East High School

Hobbies/Interests

Running and Puzzles.

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A lawyer.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...

The diversity!

If I could change one thing about the world it would be...

To make people care about others more.

Annabelle Merten

Junior, Southeast High School

Hobbies/Interests
I’m active in my school orchestra and youth symphony playing the viola. I’ve enjoyed running cross country for the last four years. I am a member of my church’s youth group. 

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
That a lot of my family lives here.

If I could visit any place in the world it would be...
Paris, France

My plans after high school are...

Going to college for physical therapy.

Varun Verma

Junior, Wichita East High School

Hobbies/Interests
Gaming, Playing piano, Business, Investing

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A businessman.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
Riverfest.

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

Equal opportunities for all.

Aisha Ali

Senior, Andover High School

Hobbies/Interests
Playing tennis, Reading, Volunteering, and Spending time with friends.

When I am 30 I hope to be...

A psychiatrist living in a big city.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The lack of consistent traffic jams.

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

The racial inequality that minorities face.

Jeannine Lopez

Senior, Maize High School

Hobbies/Interests
Reading, Debate, Cooking eggs in different ways, Tennis.

When I am 30 I want to be...

Happy and secure.

My favorite thing about Wichita is...
The people!

If I could change one thing in the world it would be...

To give the United States a high-speed rail system.