Meet our Co-Presidents (2026)
BELLA
Hi! My name is Bella, and I will be co-president of AAYGC with Simon. I am a rising senior at Dulles High School, where I am involved in clubs that also engage in serving the community; I am Vice President of both EXCEL, a club that helps members discover volunteering opportunities, and National Honor Society. In my free time, I love playing piano (I've played for 11 years) and hanging out with my friends. I like taking pictures and traveling the world (my favorite place was Osaka, Japan)!
Looking back, my favorite AAYGC project was presenting the check at Happy Faces Pet Ranch because it allowed us to interact with so many dogs and also have fun creating Christmas ornaments for the ranch. It was enriching to see how the money AAYGC donated would benefit the lives of so many animals 🙂
In the future, I would like to connect health with humanities through researching the science behind music and how it may be used in actual medical practices.
A quote that's stuck with me is "carpe diem", Latin for "seize the day." It has encouraged me to live in the moment and take initiative to help other people, allowing me to connect with AAYGC on a more personal level!
SIMON
My name is Simon, I go to St. John’s School. My favorite project that I have been a part of was providing backpacks and shoes for refugee children. I remember seeing the genuine gratitude that all the kids showed after and that really stuck with me. Other than AAYGC, I also volunteer at an afterschool program where I help students with their homework and design activities that encourage them to explore new interests, build confidence in English, and learn through hands-on experiences. As a philanthropist in training, I would like to focus on expanding educational opportunities for young people in the future. I have seen how access to academic support and enriching activities can help students build confidence and discover new interests. I hope to be able to support programs that help students reach their full potential regardless of their background and where they grew up. The people who inspire me most are those who continue lifting others up even when carrying burdens of their own. Their example reminds me that I am never too young to make a meaningful difference.