Volunteering

Building a Better Tomorrow

Project 351 has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life since I was selected as Shrewsbury’s Ambassador in 2023. Each year, 351 students are chosen—one from every city and town in Massachusetts—to lead service projects in their communities. In this role, I organized clothing and food drives and participated in the annual 9/11 service. After my ambassador year, I joined the Regional Leadership Team as a freshman and later the Alumni Leadership Council, where I mentor nine new ambassadors across the state, helping them transition into their roles and responsibilities. What I value most about Project 351 are the connections it fosters—whether it’s bonding with alumni at Gillette Stadium or collaborating with ambassadors on a statewide mental health campaign, the sense of community and shared purpose has been transformative.

Protect. Empower. Inspire.

Inspired by my own experiences in elementary and middle school, I founded an initiative called I C.A.N. (Independence, Confidence, Assertiveness, and Necessity to Say No) to help younger students and their parents navigate peer pressure and bullying. Partnering with my dojo, America’s Best Defense, I have organized and led three workshops alongside my Sensei. In these sessions, I not only teach practical self-defense skills but also share strategies for building confidence and resilience. Watching kids slowly step out of their shell and seeing parents leave with tools to better support their children has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. It’s a full-circle moment for me—being able to take the lessons I’ve learned on the mat and turn them into something that empowers others.