Meet the fellows!
Shared Ground Fellows are young people from around the world who contribute monthly articles or interviews about the issues shaping their lives and futures. Each Fellow brings their own perspective, creativity, and voice to help build a global community of understanding among youth. Click on their names and see what each of them has to say!
Lea Gorman leagorman8@gmail.com
Shared Ground Fellow
“My name is Lea Gorman. I am a student who is very passionate about making a great impact on the world. I love to read and my favorite topic is romantic comedies. I love researching and going on deep-dives on random topics. My favorite thing to do is to spend time with my goldendoodle, Paris and watch movies!”
“I became a Shared Ground Fellow due to the fact that there are lots of bad things happening in the world and that we should help bring awareness to topics like food and living conditions.”
Shared Ground Fellow
“Hello! I’m Emaan and I’m from Pakistan. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and I love Volleyball and Traveling. I play on both Junior Varsity and Varsity, and we recently won a State Championship for Junior Varsity! I also take pride in my other hobbies like photography, makeup, and more.”
“I became a Shared Ground Fellow because I believe that no matter your background, your geographical disadvantage, your disability, you can make a difference for those around you and globally. Whether it be just a story, or an initiative, you can inspire others to be better and help those in need.”
Jiya Thakur thakurjiya69.2010@gmail.com
Shared Ground Fellow
“Hi my name is Jiya Thakur, i’m from Jacksonville, Florida and I love to play guitar, paint, and dance. I’m passionate about healthcare and have been especially interested in dermatology since middle school. Through Shared Ground, I’m excited to build better understanding across communities.”
“I became a Shared Ground Fellow because I really like the idea of young people sharing their own stories and learning from each other’s experiences around the world. I think there are so many everyday challenges and perspectives that don’t get talked about enough, especially from students our age. I also care a lot about topics like healthcare, education, and how opportunities differ depending on where you live, so this feels like a meaningful way to explore those issues while connecting with others. I’m excited about the chance to create something thoughtful each month and be part of a youth-led project that promotes understanding and empathy across communities.”
Ashna Sharma ashnapoh@gmail.com
Shared Ground Fellow
“Hi my name is Ashna Sharma! I'm a sophmore from New Jersey. Some of my hobbies include painting, hiking, playing field hockey for my school, and reading sci-fi. I'm really interested in science and I also love getting to know new people!”
“I became a Shared Ground Fellow because I like how this program is youth led and discusses real experiences from young people around the world. I also like the freedom that we are given when choosing what topics we want to write about. I want to help younger people connect with each other and I also want to be able to express my creativity.”
Maya Sumner mayasumner0@gmail.com
Shared Ground Fellow
“My name is Maya Sumner, and I’m a rising senior at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford, Virginia. I aspire to become a plastic surgeon when I grow up. In my free time, I lead my track and dance team, help children discover reading by being a member of a club called Pages for Hope, and enjoy watching sports.”
“I became a Shared Ground Fellow because I believe it is crucial for our generation to take action and shape our future by discussing important issues such as climate change, relationships, education, and more. By joining the fellowship, I can utilize my Capstone credit (AP seminar and AP research) to assist others in discovering their identities and contributing to the betterment of the world.”
Karolina Lee Karolina.tennis8@icloud.com
Shared Ground Fellow
“My name is Karolina Lee. I am passionate about working to make a positive impact on the world, and I think this project is just for that! I love playing tennis, reading, writing, science, bookstores, traveling, and healthcare, specifically dermatology!”
“I became a Shared Ground Fellow to amplify the voices and stories that often go unheard. I believe that youth-led dialogue regarding healthcare, education, and social equity can spark global change, regardless of a person’s background or physical ability. By sharing our lived experiences and challenges each month, we can break down barriers and empower one another to make a tangible difference. I’m thrilled to be part of a project that proves our stories are not just reflections of our lives, but tools for building a more understanding and supportive global community.”
Ariel Kim kimarh0513@gmail.com
Shared Ground Fellow
“I am 16 years old, play golf, and live in FL! I play the violin and piano and I love journalism.”
“I became a Shared Ground Fellow to spread awareness to people in the community, especially students, about mental health and other topics to help us connect!”
Emmett Marsh
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