Meet the 2024-2025 Teen Leadership Council

Alexandr is an 11^th grader who is involved in math and geometry at Community Academy of Science and Health. He is proud of himself and is excited to strengthen his education. In five years, he hopes to be a professional soccer player, especially since soccer players inspire and influence him. This is his first time in the Boch Center’s teen programs.

Anthony is 17 years old and goes to East Boston High School. Outside of school, he has been involved in Key Club, Minds Matter Boston, and ZUMIX. He is most proud of his skill as a guitarist because it has given him a way to express himself and be part of a team. Anthony is part of the Latino/Hispanic community and wants to get rid of misconceptions that some people have about that community. He has a unique thought process where he tries to soak things up longer. Tyler, The Creator is an artist that inspires him the most.

Asiya is a 10^th grader from Roxbury. She is involved in Islamic Woman’s Rights and Debate after school. She wants to strengthen global understanding of mental health. Asiya is proud of her ability to assess social situations and being chosen as her school’s 9^th grade leader. Doechii is an artist who inspires her because she has her own style, beauty and is unapologetically herself.

Destiney is a 14-year-old from Dorchester. She is involved with orchestra, a coding club, a science club and a classics club, and is proud of her grades. She wants to strengthen the community in 10^th grade at her school because the beginning of the year is always hard. In five years, Destiney hopefully will be in college studying computer science. She is influenced by her siblings and school. She wants to be the best version of herself for them. She is inspired by the artists in her orchestra.

E-zyia is from Dorchester and is 15 years old. She plays sports at school and is proud of continuing to be a better version of herself. Some of her proudest accomplishments are in sports because she is fast in track. She is very outgoing and hopes to work in healthcare in the future.

Iyanna is a 9^th grader from Mission Hill. They are involved with slam poetry, choir, volleyball and gymnastics. If she could strengthen something in her community, it would be for everyone to have a loving and kind community. Iyanna’s mother influences them for her current plans for the future because she’s her number one supporter. Melanie Martinez and Sofie Dossi are the artists that inspire them most.

Jannell is a 14-year-old 9^th grader at Boston Latin School, which she is proud of getting into. This is her second program with the Boch Center Education Department. She is involved in her school’s gospel choir and is proud of herself for being involved in so many things she never dreamed of. She is unique because she is mature for her age and understands her feelings. Jannell’s family influences her because they have supported her, and she wants to be able to support them in the future. Beach Bunny, Big Thief, and Finneas are some artists that inspire her right now.

Jennifer is 18 years old from Allston. She is most proud of being responsible because she gets her work done, which led her to having good grades in her first term and she tries to help others. Jennifer is unique because she is friendly and very empathetic. In five years, she hopes to be an ultrasound technician.

Kamari is 18 years old from Dorchester. He is involved in soccer and is most proud of his cat. Kamari is unique because he is an outgoing person and nice. He wants to go to college for healthcare. In five years, he will be in his studies. Kevin Hart is an artist that inspires him.

Ketty is a 17-year-old from Mattapan. She describes herself as a bright soul, loves to help others and is proud to have worked on her time management. She is inspired by her brother who is always following his heart. In the future, she hopes to become a lawyer.

Nico is from Dorchester and is in 10^th grade. This is his third teen program at the Boch Center. He produces music outside of school and has a big following on YouTube. Nico describes himself as compassionate and yearns for community. He has been influenced by anime and his goal of becoming a voice actor in the future.

Rhianna is in 11^th grade and is from Roslindale. She is involved in the “Be the Change” group at her school and is proud of how much she has grown in her conflict resolution and communication skills. She is still always working on herself but is proud of how far she’s grown. Rhianna would want to help those people at her school who are too afraid to ask for help. Lauryn Hill inspires her.

Sahra is 15 years old from Hyde Park. She is involved in orchestra and clubs at school that spread awareness and help others. She has achieved her academic goals of having a better GPA and creating a better environment. Sahra is unique because she knows herself and doesn’t need anyone else to validate her. Tyler, The Creator, SZA and Doechii are artists who inspire her.

Shay is from the South End and is in 10^th grade. This is Shay’s second teen program. She is involved in track, cheer, attends the library in her free time, and goes to church often. In the future, she hopes to open her own dance company and has been influenced by her aunt who always shows her dance teams competing in different tournaments. She describes herself as a team player and would like to strengthen trust in her communities, as it is something very important, especially in schools.

Thanh is 16 years old and from Dorchester. This is her second program with The Boch Center. She is involved with dance clubs at school and helps at her friend’s non-profit in Chinatown. Thanh is proud of creating her own choreography because the outcome was satisfying. She wants to encourage community cleaning because she feels like a visually cleaner can make it feel more comforting and safer. Thanh is unique because she enjoys performing in front of people, even though it makes her nervous. Thanh’s sister and cousins influence her because they pass their knowledge to her.  

Vithaina is an 11^th grader from Hyde Park. She is most proud of her ability to balance school, work, and community involvement, and she is proud of the way she manages her time and can make an impact in different areas of her life. Vithaina hopes to strengthen access to mental health resources because she believes everyone should have the support they need to stay healthy emotionally and mentally. She is unique because she has a strong passion for creative expression and community service, and she also has an ability to adapt to different situations and learn quickly. Vithaina’s mother has been a huge influence on her.

Zyasia is 17 years old from Dorchester. She works on trying new things and accomplishing her goals in life. In 5 years, she hopes to be in college and to be independent. She is most proud of her self-respect, self-awareness and how her personal experiences in life have shaped who she is. Zyasia believes that “you can’t love someone until you love yourself.”