Close Up Foundation

As this life-changing summer comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown. Over the past 8 weeks, I had the privilege of interning at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence as one of 315 Bank of America Student Leaders nationwide. Alongside three amazing peers, I proudly represented the smallest state in our nation’s capital while connecting with some of the brightest young leaders from across the country. We debated, collaborated, and asked tough questions. I had strong conversations that challenged and broadened my perspective in ways that would not have been possible without being surrounded by people from such diverse backgrounds. With an acceptance rate of less than 3%, this program reminded me that while opportunities like this are rare, what matters most is what we take away. For me, it was the importance of serving, inspiring, and leading with purpose to create meaningful change in an ever-evolving world. At the Boys and Girls Club, working as an Intern Teacher’s Assistant during the Summer Learning Program also put me face-to-face with the real needs of my community. The kids I was lucky enough to meet taught me lessons about patience, empathy, and finding joy in the little things (like watching K-Pop Demon Hunters on repeat) which I will always carry with me. Lastly, I want to thank Bank of America and the Close Up Foundation team for making this summer possible, as well as my amazing market. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my summer any other way. I’ll miss every bit of it (even the constant “Miss Sedonaaaa”) and can’t wait to see what life has in store for all 315 of us—current and future change-makers. #ServeInspireChange #BankofAmericaStudentLeaders #BoysandGirlsClub #Classof2026

As I look back on this summer, I realize it has truly been one of the most transformative seasons of my life. I was honored to be selected as one of 315 Bank of America Student Leaders, representing just 2.6% of more than 12,000 applicants nationwide. Representing Charlotte at non-profit Crisis Assistance Ministry and working alongside Bank of America, I quickly learned that leadership isn’t about titles or resumes. It’s about people. Some of the most impactful moments happened not behind my desk, but alongside families in line outside in the morning, hearing resilience and hope in parents’ voices as they searched for stability. These experiences reminded me that the projects I worked on weren’t just tasks, but tools to preserve dignity. At CAM, I blogged about our internship, facilitated poverty simulations for other companies, and volunteered at a variety of different local non-profits such as Nourish Up, Second Harvest, and Roof Above. My primary task consisted of developing a social media campaign for a city-wide school uniform drive, and a group project developing a referral website to different non-profits. Additionally during these weeks, I had the pleasure of having lunch with President of BofA Charlotte Market: Kieth Cockrell at the top of the BofA Corporate Center, bonding with hundreds of BofA college interns over pickleball, and shaking hands with BofA CEO Brian Moynihan. Then came the highlight: the Summit in Washington DC. Here, I was surrounded by the other 315 interns from across the nation, where every day, I was put in rooms that made me think bigger and put me out of my comfort zone. From interviewing US Congresspeople on Capitol Hill, such as Tim Moore and staff of Rep. Alma Adams and Thom Tillis, to speaking in front of hundreds, I was reminded of how much my voice mattered even in the most intimidating spaces (shoutout to Workshop 8)! I had the honor of listening to several BofA executives and trailblazers in the fields of sports, service, and more. It was more inspiring than words can explain, and through it all I’ve learned: Step into rooms where you’re not the smartest or most confident—growth lives there. Believe in yourself, especially when you’re nervous. Leadership starts with listening, then acting with compassion and conviction. I am deeply grateful to Close Up Foundation, and the CAM team, especially to Phillip Miller MHA, CSM our coordinator, and my supervisors Ms. Chanell Johnson, Ms. Bonnie Tiernan, and Ms. Tovi Martin for welcoming me into their mission. Thank you to Bank of America for investing in the next generation of leaders and me. Finally, most importantly, thank you to my fellow Student Leaders, above all my Charlotte cohort; you continue to inspire me every day. At our final banquet, my peer Ridham Koushal said something that will stay with me forever: “Maybe I really am built for this.” After this summer, I believe I am too. #StudentLeaders2024 #CrisisAssistanceMinistry #BofA

These last few weeks, I’ve spent trying to condense my thoughts to express the experiences that I went through, but I just couldn’t put it into words, and I don’t think I ever fully will. But here we go. We’re going into UP TIME! These last 8 weeks have been something only my younger self could have dreamed of, but now it’s become a reality. Bank of America, I’d like to thank you first. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this incredible opportunity. This experience has been truly transformative. You have opened my eyes, ears, and heart to something so much bigger. You have made an impactful investment not only in myself, but also in powerful young leaders, and it speaks volumes. You have provided a safe space where these leaders can speak truths, grow in their political efficacy, and advocate for others. It does not go unseen. To the Close Up Foundation, thank you for guiding us to think critically and realize that our voices have a purpose and a place here. Thank you for teaching us the magical solution that solves almost all the world’s problems: that leadership begins with listening, understanding, and sharing, something that most adults, politicians, parties, and humans have yet to realize. To Laup, thank you for giving me a family. Thank you for supporting my journey from the start. Thank you for your encouragement, thank you for your guidance, thank you for your confidence in me and in the younger generation. You guys are truly one of a kind. Lastly, thank you Workshop 13 and all the student leaders. Workshop 13 (the best workshop!) — you guys have truly, and I mean truly, changed my life. You are nothing less than capable, brave, intelligent, beautiful souls. You’ve taught me deep lessons that can’t be taught with numbers or books. You’ve shown me what a personal connection is. You’ve opened my heart and eyes to see that there are truly people working for a better world, and I’m sure we will achieve it together. And my mentors Kyra and Randy, I will never forget you. Your nurture, your kindness, and your never-ending support. You taught us to listen with intention to find solutions, to always assume positive intent, and to be a safe space for the people around us. You are nothing less than amazing. Student Leaders, thank you for your friendships. You guys inspire me every day, and I miss you all so, so much. We are gonna change the world. Don’t ever think you can’t or don’t have what it takes, because you do. We’re all standing behind each and every one of you. Anthony Alfonso Meghana Hebbar Raphael Monteiro Dhruti Halambi Leo DeCock Kyra Hill Ishana Senthil Aaron Summerall Cody Martinez Carissa Lugo Taelynn-Marie Porter Nazifa Muntaha Ahmed Mst Begum Hajar Abdel-Rahim Ridam Shah Raniasa Rishil Garlapati Nathan Robasciotti and all other student leaders!

This past week, I had the opportunity to take part in the Our Voices Summit 2025, hosted at the University of Pennsylvania by Institute for Citizens & Scholars, Close Up Foundation and Cortico. Over a few days, youth leaders and adult allies from across the Mid-Atlantic region came together to share stories, build connections, and explore how dialogue can lead to real community change. The CoGenerate workshops with Marci Alboher and Duncan Magidson showed the power of bridging across generations. In the sensemaking sessions with Cortico, Hana Carey, and Kimberly Mota, along with fellows like Anthony Akator Jr., Lu Snyder, and Brandon Washington helped us compare human and AI-generated insights from community conversations. With Close Up Foundation facilitators Paris Rosen and Jesse Wesso, we deliberated on civil liberties and economic opportunity, learning how to find shared values and build agreement. Hearing from speakers like Asher Pitofsky, Fallon Ayaan, M.ED, Dr. Kevin Beckford, Yaneliz cabrera , Michele Calderon, and Emilie Stewart, MSEd, MSW, strengthened that real progress happens when different perspectives are brought into the same space. I left with these takeaways: listening is just as important as speaking, intergenerational collaboration is essential, and even small conversations can create bigger change. This summit wouldn’t have been possible without Anna Gallos, Arianna Gordon, and Beth Slater for putting everything together and lastly Audra Watson for guiding us through the conversations. #OurVoicesSummit #YouthVoices #Community

I was honored to be invited as a Youth Attendee to the Our Voices Summit 2025 hosted by Institute for Citizens & Scholars. Over three days, I learned about the values of storytelling, intergenerational connection, and facilitating civil discussion. Now, I bring home a wealth of ideas to my community. I look forward to utilizing the information I learned during the summit, and further contribute to the amazing civic work that our generation is doing. Huge shout out to the talented and inspiring youth attendees I met, just to name a few: Asher Pitofsky, Shafia Malik, Samaira Pawa, Nidhi Veerendra, Dafne L., Nabitou Cisse, Ezra Snell II, Kevin Lopez Cruz, Gabrielle Hester, Olivia Liao, and so, so many more. Thank you to Close Up Foundation, Cortico, and CoGenerate for speaking and supporting us at this event!

For more than 20 years, Bank of America has placed community-minded high school juniors and seniors into paid summer internships with local nonprofits and sent them to Washington D.C. as part of its Student Leader summer youth employment program. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend this year‘s Student Leader Summit along with more than 300 #BofAStudentLeaders from across the country. An added bonus, was being able to team up in-person, with my colleagues across various markets. It was amazing to see this program in action; in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, students learned how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to meet the needs in our local communities. I was blown away by the students energy, ability to think broadly, and passion to create positive change. Special shout out to our Arizona student leaders (#Phoenix) Sarah Bendok, Eric Boateng, Shripal Dupati, Olivia Lu,Quynh Ta, and (#Tuscon) Alek Siraitares, Jenny Tran. I am so proud of how you represented our state. I left re-energize and filled with hope knowing these students will be our future leaders to Serve. Inspire Change.

I was so honored to be accepted to the Bank of America Student Leaders program back in April, especially after hearing that 2025 had the most competitive admissions process yet. Only 315 students were selected from over 12,000 applicants, making the acceptance rate just 2.6%. This past Saturday I returned from the Student Leaders summit in Washington, d.c. Though it's nearly impossible to top the incredible 2 months I spent interning with the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth, I can confidently say that the summit was one of the most impactful weeks of my life. I met so many passionate, driven high schoolers who taught me the power of education, the importance of courage, and the strength of ambition. I was honored to be chosen as 1 of 20 lobbyists during our congressional simulation--in my case, arguing against the Tax-on-Tips bill. (We won!) I loved getting to meet representatives from Congressman Goldman and Senator Cruz's office; visit D.C. monuments, memorials, and Smithsonian museums; and hear from an array of accomplished, impressive speakers, including Student Leaders alumni. I was so grateful for the opportunity to engage in an eye-opening Liftopolis simulation that made me more aware of pervasive struggles in my community and more motivated to eradicate them. I found a community of 300+ students from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations, but all connected by our passion to make a positive difference in our communities. Thank you so much Bank of America, Close Up Foundation, Mandy Kizer, and Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth for the most exciting and impactful summer! #BofAStudentLeaders #BankofAmerica #ServeInspireChange #CommunityImpact