Youth and Young Adult Ambassador Program

Vidhatri Iyer 

Vidhatri Iyer is Freshman at University High School of Indiana and is the Field Ambassador for the Indiana Region. She started volunteering with the Red Cross when she was in Eighth grade. Currently she is an academic service intern for the Red Cross and focuses on volunteer recruitment for the Disaster Action Team. She is also a Blood Ambassador and has volunteered at local drives. As a Field Ambassador for the Indiana region, Vidhatri would like to work with the National Youth Council to create different initiatives and encourage more youth engagement in her region. She is the president and founder of the Emergency Preparedness Club at her school. She is currently serving as a Region 5 FEMA Youth Preparedness Council member. She would like to encourage more youth participation in emergency preparedness through local schools and homeless shelters. Vidhatri enjoys biking, swimming, reading, and baking.

Kenisha Nanda 

Kenisha Nanda is the Field Ambassador for the Eastern North Carolina Triangle Region. She is a junior at Green Level High School in Apex, North Carolina, where she first became involved with the Red Cross over the pandemic. Starting off as an online volunteer for the Youth Red Cross Club, Kenisha worked her way up the organization by creating the bi-weekly newsletters and becoming the Secretary for the club this year. She also held her first Sock Drive for Veterans in her neighborhood December of 2021, collecting 149 pairs of socks in all! Kenisha is quite active in the community, as she leads 2 service-based clubs at school and wants to get further involved within the Red Cross by becoming a Blood Donor Ambassador. She enjoys trainings, online events, and meetings with her Youth Red Cross clubs and is a creative, hardworking individual. Being a member of the Sunshine Committee of the Youth Red Cross Club, Kenisha truly feels that it is important for each person to feel welcomed and loved in a new environment. As a Field Ambassador, she is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this new team and cannot wait to take her work in the Red Cross a step further. She enjoys facilitating communication, collaborating with others, meeting new people, as well as working hard towards any goal she sets for herself. Outside of volunteering for the Red Cross, Kenisha enjoys cooking, traveling, working at the YMCA, playing guitar, dancing, taking leadership initiatives, going for walks and runs, and spending time with family and friends. She also handles her own small jewelry business, KN Designs, which she handles through social media and donates 20% of sales earned to a different non-profit organization each donation. At school, Kenisha leads the Volunteering Made Easy (VME) Club, as well as the UNICEF Club, both devoted to serving the community and is taking further initiatives to make her school an even more diverse and inclusive environment!

Mohammed Bari

Mohammed Bari is a senior at Amherst Central High School, and he represents the Western New York region. He began volunteering for the Red Cross during his sophomore year, working under the Fundraising initiative. He currently works under the Research Recruitment volunteer service. His work mainly comprises of remote data entry work, a direct homage to his personality of someone who likes helping behind the scenes. With the ambassador program, he hopes to increase volunteer involvement in the WNY region, as this is an area that could develop. His hobbies include rock climbing, basketball, and weightlifting.

Emily Wang 

Emily Wang is a senior at Clear Creek High School and has been a youth volunteer with the American Red Cross for three years. Emily is the founder and president of the Clear Creek High School Red Cross Club, the first Red Cross Club in her school district. Emily is now serving her third term on the Texas Gulf Coast Region's Youth Service Council as its Vice Chair. Emily has also been heavily involved in the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Youth Action Campaign (YAC) program for two years and currently serves as the Texas Gulf Coast Region's lead coordinator. Additionally, Emily is a Preparedness Regional Program Lead and works to support various disaster programs in the region like Sound the Alarm and Be Red Cross Ready. Outside of these activities, Emily is dedicated to creating an inclusive community of volunteers with her work to grow diversity initiatives and connect clubs across the region. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading, playing piano and listening to music.

Namitha Reddy 

Namitha Reddy is currently a Junior in Seattle Washington and serves as a Field Ambassador for the Northwest Region. She is part of the IB Diploma program and hopes to pursue a career in Medicine. Namitha began volunteering for the Red Cross almost a year an a half ago, by starting a Red Cross Club at her school. She is also part of the Regional Red Cross Council and write the Northwest Disaster Services Newsletter. In her free time she likes to go on bike rides, read, draw and play tennis! Namitha is looking forward to serving as your Field Ambassador this year!

Harnoor Riar

Harnoor Riar is a senior at George School and represents the Southeastern Pennsylvania region. She started volunteering with Red Cross her Sophomore summer and now serves as the founder and president of her schools Red Cross Club. She loves to volunteer as it gets her to engage with all ages. Harnoor loves Red Cross, and how it helped her connect with others, and hopes to create a small counsel of Red Cross presidents within Pennsylvania. She hopes to continue her passion with Red Cross as it changed her life.

Angelina Sun

Angelina Sun is a junior at North Farmington High School and serves as the Field Ambassador for the Michigan Region. She began her Red Cross journey by joining her local Red Cross Club, and from there serving as Secretary and Vice President, organizing various events like fundraisers and city council presentations. Although she hasn't been a part of the Red Cross for long, she is excited to be part of the Field Ambassadors, and hopes to ensure that more people can also participate in Red Cross activities. She also participates in BPA, HOSA, student government, and plays for the tennis team. In her spare time, she likes picking up hobbies and going out with friends. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in either medicine or business.

Hong Shui

Hong Shui is a senior at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda, California, where she first became involved with the Red Cross as a freshman. Throughout her four years with the American Red Cross, she has served as Blood Drive Coordinator and IHL Lead Advocate of Yorba Linda High School’s Red Cross Club. In addition to being involved in her school, Hong has been a part of the OC Chapter’s Special Events and Volunteer Connection Committees and volunteered as a Blood Donor Ambassador and Youth Intake Volunteer in her region. As a Field Ambassador, Hong hopes to strengthen her intraregional connection and expand youth involvement within her region. She looks forward to working alongside other like-minded youth volunteers and giving back to her community through meaningful projects. Outside of volunteering, Hong enjoys spending time with her family and friends and playing music in her school’s band.

Anvesha Sharda

Anvesha Sharda represents the Kansas-Oklahoma Region. She views the Red Cross as her connection to volunteerism in the community, making her feel like a part of a group that is taking action to help change the status quo. She is the president of her school's RC Club and that especially, has helped her realize that most people don't realize their potential to make change and craft the kind of impact they want to make. Being a part of that process, helping guide them, and making sure that they have the support they need, is something that Anvesha enjoys. When she attended the IHL-YAC crossover events this past summer, she was super excited to bring it to her school and give them a chance to go present their work in DC. Taking her RC leadership to the next level is not just a privilege for her, but it's also an opportunity to bring her community in the spotlight for the amazing work they've done.

Michelle Voicu 

Michelle Voicu is a senior at Saint Andrew's School and is serving as a Field Ambassador for the South Florida Region. Michelle has been volunteering for the Red Cross since her freshman year participating in events as both a participant and section leader for the National READYteens Program. Last year, she served on the SF Youth Executive Board as a Co-International Services and Services to the Armed Forces Officer conducting events like Holiday Mail For Heroes, an MM&R Vaccine Initiative, and starting International Humanitarian Law Courses on modern conflicts and refugee crises. As a Field Ambassador, she hopes to continue and grow this initiatives and implement engaging new ones as well! Outside the Red Cross, Michelle loves to cook, hang out with friends, and go to the beach! In the future, she hopes to carry the Red Cross's mission and pursue a career in social justice and equity and inclusion.

Riley Regan 

A senior at ‘Iolani School, Riley is co-president of the school’s Red Cross Club. Riley’s favorite part of the Red Cross mission is how it allows teens to make a positive impact in their communities. As a Field Ambassador, he aspires to increase youth engagement across the Hawaii region through communication and fun, signature projects that can be implemented across his island state. An Eagle Scout, he serves as Chief of his Order of the Arrow Chapter, and enjoys golfing, running cross country, and playing taiko.

Sabrina Kazi 

Sabrina is a senior in high school and the field ambassador of the Colorado Region. She became a part of the Red Cross in her sophomore year as she co-founded a Red Cross Club at her school. Sabrina enjoys being a part of the organization as leading the club allows her to meet various people and gain new opportunities. Through the work of the field ambassador, she would like to create a stronger base for youth in her region and further her mission with the Red Cross. When not volunteering, Sabrina enjoys competing, hanging out with friends, and playing badminton.

Aditi Jayanth 

Aditi represents the Northern California Coastal Region. She is a junior at Homestead High School and is the president of the Red Cross Club. Last year, she was a youth advocate for International Humanitarian Law (IHL), as well as a part of her chapter's International Services Committee. This year, she looks forward to being a Field Ambassador and is proud to be volunteering at her local Veterans Hospital. Outside of the Red Cross, Aditi enjoys playing waterpolo and baking. She is most excited this year to help youth engage with the Red Cross by making events more accessible and hands-on.

Prisha Vithalani 

Prisha Vithalani is a junior at Plano West Senior High School and the Field Ambassador for the North Texas Region. She first became involved with the Red Cross in middle school, founding the first middle school club in the region and successfully completing multiple school-wide projects. Over the past few years, Prisha has been actively involved in club leadership in her school, serving as founder and president, as well as within the Volunteer Intake Processing Center as a current Intake Lead. Additionally, she has been heavily involved in regional leadership: first serving as the Red Cross Club Officer on the North Texas Youth Council, later as the Line of Service Officer on the Youth Services Executive Board, and currently as the Vice President for the Youth Services Executive Board. During this time, she has been involved in developing initiatives and leading team projects across all Red Cross Lines of Service, including Missing Maps, IHL, Blood Drives, Tabling, and more. As Field Ambassador this year, she hopes to bolster youth engagement within her region and promote national initiatives within the region. Outside of Red Cross, Prisha actively competes in Speech and Debate, loves to read, travel, spend time with her friends, and try new food.

Jahnavi Palarapu 

Jahnavi is a senior at Nashua High School South and is the current field ambassador for the Northern New England Region. She has been volunteering for the American Red Cross since her freshman year of highschool. She is currently Co-President and Co-Founder of the American Red Cross Club at her high school and serves as a Blood Donor Ambassador, Leaders Save Lives Participant, Monthly Newsletter Writer, and GDPC Teen Preparedness Toolkit Creator. Through these roles, Jahnavi has helped organize four blood drives, hosted a virtual hands-only CPR session, held a Chipotle fundraiser, made Blood Donor cards and holiday cards for veterans, and organized a gift drive for a local Veterans Hospital. Outside of the American Red Cross, Jahnavi likes to take lots of naps, bake banana bread, run, read, and binge watch Criminal Minds. As a Field Ambassador, Jahnavi hopes to expand exposure to available youth programs at both the local and national level and is excited to work with her other fellow leaders!

Raymond Ahmadi 

Raymond, a senior at Bethpage High School, serves as this year’s Field Ambassador for the Greater New York Region. His engagement with the Red Cross started during the summer before his freshman year when he founded his local club. As a co-founder of his club, a four termed Vice President, and Youth Action Campaign Advocate of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), he is excited to acquire new skills and advocate on a National scale. In the past three years, Raymond participated and organized several successful events, such as the first documented "Battle of the Bands" on Long Island where the main goal was to fundraise and support the American Red Cross's natural disaster effort. Raymond also facilitated and participated in "SAFE Halloween " (Halloween on the Field/Halloween in the Halls), a community event hosted by his local high school during halloween, where the club educated youth and their families on Red Cross safety skills. Outside of the American Red Cross activities, he is active in serving his community, through working as a server, engaging in other school club activities, and taking on leadership roles. Raymond's self care involves cooking different types of food, listening to new music, and spending time at the gym. Since joining the American Red Cross, Raymond grew as a person, spiritually, socially, academically, and emotionally.

Zachary Reid 

Zachary represents the Greater Carolinas Region and has been a part of the Red Cross for about 4 years. Since he started High School, he had always wanted to help people in many ways. One weekend, he had a chance to help out at a Blood Drive in Fort Mill, which started his journey. He has also helped at a Leader Saves Lifes Blood drive, which sparked his drive and passion to help people in need. 

Mandy Zhang

Mandy is a senior at Roy C. Ketcham High School and the Field Ambassador for the Eastern New York Region. Her Red Cross journey started after her village engulfed in flames and was determined to prevent another tragedy in her community. She is the Founder and President of her school's Red Cross Club and a Blood Donor Ambassador. She has led various projects such as Prepare with Pedro, where she taught 400 elementary students about fire safety and first-aid. She also lit the Mid-Hudson Bridge in red for Red Cross Giving Day, participated in IHL movie nights, Missing Maps, and hosted bake sales for Ukraine. This year, she is planning to host a puppet show to teach kids what to do during an emergency. As a field ambassador, Mandy hopes to create new projects for the national activity guide. Outside of the Red Cross, Mandy is the President of STEM Club, President of Math Team/Math Honor Society, and President of National Honor Society. She also enjoys coaching the Wappingers Junior High School Science Olympiad Team and teaching STEM to underserved students through her non-profit organization, Young STEMists.

Huda Memon 

Huda is a senior at the Academy for Allied Health Sciences in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and first became involved with the Red Cross when she was a freshman. After experiencing the strong sense of community and realizing the potential of all she could do as a Red Cross member, she became more involved through the New Jersey Youth Council. She served as a Training Committee member and then Training Committee Lead, where she worked with volunteers all over the region to find and promote various trainings. After becoming secretary of the New Jersey Youth Council, she was able to continue making connections with volunteers from around the region and help new volunteers become more involved in NJYC and the Red Cross, as other officers once did for her. She hopes to continue to foster an open and welcoming environment for all youth Red Cross members so that all those eager to volunteer can have the opportunity to do so. She will continue to work with the Red Cross after she graduates high school, where she plans to pursue a pre-med track in college, go to medical school, and become a doctor that works in diverse communities and helps overcome cultural barriers.

Akaash Surendra 

 Akaash Surendra is a high school senior at BASIS Chandler in Arizona. He represents the AZ/NM Region and has been involved with the Red Cross since his freshman year of high school. He has had the pleasure of working with amazing people across the Arizona/New Mexico region and is very excited to continue improving his community. Some of his hobbies include hiking, rewatching The Office, and playing soccer. 

Tenica Zhou

Tenica Zhou is a junior attending Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, California. She is the field ambassador for the Los Angeles Region. Tenica’s Red Cross journey started as a sophomore general member at her school. During the summer of her sophomore year she got more involved with the Red Cross, participating in different events like Sound the Alarm, Ready Teens, and Blood Ambassador. Through these events, she was able to meet other youth volunteers and youth leaders. As a field ambassador, she hopes to increase youth involvement and create community events in her region. During her free time, Tenica likes to listen to music, watch American drama shows, and dance.

Maysoon Khan 

Maysoon Khan is the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region's field ambassador. She is a sophomore at Briar Woods High School and the secretary of the Red Cross Club at her school. Maysoon took part in a variety of campaigns and activities last year, including Vaccinate A Village, Totes of Hope, and various donation drives. She intends to become a blood donor ambassador this year, as well as participate in the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Youth Action Campaign (YAC) Task Force. Maysoon is excited to broaden her ability to advocate for the Red Cross Initiative, meet other people who share her passion, and assist those around her by becoming a field ambassador for her region. You may also find her participating in many other activities such as the Minority Student Council, HOSA, and Speech/Forensics. Outside of school, Maysoon enjoys volunteering at her local library, playing numerous types of music on the guitar, painting, crocheting, and reading horror/thriller books.

Riya Rauniyar

Riya is a senior at Rickards High School and is the Field Ambassador for the North Florida Region. She is the secretary of her school’s Red Cross club where she has volunteered for missing maps, holiday cards for heroes and more. She is also involved with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). She began her Red Cross journey her freshman year. Outside of Red Cross, Riya also enjoys advocating for mental health and healthy lifestyle, dancing and contributing to her community. As a field ambassador, she hopes to bring in more engagement and incentives for the youths in her region.

Harnoor Riar 

Harnoor is a senior at the George School and represents the Southeastern Pennsylvania Region. Her involvement with the Red Cross started her sophomore year as a blood donor ambassador. Harnoor loved this role and realized that she wanted to further her envelopment. In eleventh grade Harnoor became the founder and president of her schools Red Cross club. Harnoor loves Red Cross is because it allows her to meet new people. Harnoor's goal is to spread engagement throughout her region, and to continue giving back to an organization that has made her who she is today.

Joshua Kwon 

Josh is a senior at Union High School and represents the Cascades Region. His involvement with the Red Cross began in eighth grade and he is currently the President of his high school's Red Cross club where he led various events including the Sound the Alarm initiative and multiple blood drives. He deepened his commitment with the Red Cross by serving as the Secretary of the Southwest Washington Youth Council and chair of the board of representatives for the Cascade Board of Directors. He is excited to work alongside other Field Ambassadors to increase opportunities for youth volunteers across the Cascades Region. In his free time, Josh loves to watch movies, listening to music, swimming, and playing the clarinet.

Madison Modlin  

Madison, a senior at Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida, is the Field Ambassador for the Central Florida region. She has been involved with her school’s Red Cross Club for three years and took over as President her senior year. Madison has been fascinated with Red Cross’ mission since she dressed up as Clara Barton in elementary school, and she enjoys spreading the word about IHL and showing appreciation for our veterans. As President, she coordinated her school’s first Disaster Preparedness Donation Drive and plans to lead her club in advocating for IHL, writing cards for veterans, fundraising for Vaccinate a Village, and creating the second edition of her school’s Taste of Diversity cookbook. Outside of her involvement with the Red Cross, Madison loves to read, organizes volunteer events through Key Club, competes in Science Olympiad, plays softball, and designs the yearbook as the lead editor of photography. As a Field Ambassador, she hopes to encourage more collaboration between youth in the Central Florida region and help keep the spirit of volunteerism alive in her community.

Chuer Yang  

Chuer is a senior at Mira Loma High School and represents the California Gold Country Region. Her involvement with the Red Cross began in her freshman year and she now serves as President of her high school’s Red Cross club. She joined the Gold Country Region’s Youth Executive Board in her sophomore year and is excited to serve as the chair this year! Her goal as a Field Ambassador is to cultivate a Red Cross youth community within her region to support youth volunteers in their different volunteer efforts and to create opportunities for them to take their volunteerism to the next level. In her free time, Chuer enjoys rowing, playing the flute, and visiting art galleries.

Rachel Berger 

Rachel, a senior at Whitney Young High School in Chicago, serves as the Illinois Region Field Ambassador. She is the founder and president of the Red Cross Club at her school. She is certified in First Aid, CPR and AED-BL through the Red Cross, and among other initiatives, is helping her chapter members get their certifications. Rachel hopes that as a Field Ambassador she will engage members in her region and work with other Field Ambassadors throughout the country. Rachel is also the founder and communications director of a non-profit organization that delivers meals to in-need seniors. She also loves to dance and dances for two prestigious pre-professional dance teams.

Ana Sadler 

Ana represents the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region. She is a senior at Briar Woods High School and is the President of the Red Cross Club. Last year, she was the Youth Administrative Board Representative and participated as a youth advocate and lead of the Outreach Specialization Group in her region's International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Youth Action Campaign (YAC) Task Force. This year, she is a Coordinator for an IHL YAC task force. Ana also volunteers as a Biomed Greeter for the ADVANCE Study located in D.C.. Outside of volunteering with the Red Cross, Ana sits on the National Panel as a Conference Representative for the Girls Academy Soccer League and she is the Vice President of the Shanti Bhavan Northern Virginia Chapter.

Andrew Dong

Andrew is a sophomore attending Iowa City West High School. He is the founder and president of the school's Red Cross Club, a Blood Donor Ambassador, and Disaster Action Team Associate. His favorite part about the Red Cross mission is how it allows for youth in high school to make a large impact in their community. As a Field Ambassador, he hopes to organize events that teach CPR for free to local youth. Outside of the Red Cross, Andrew runs varsity cross country and loves volunteering at his local retirement community, where he has received the President's Volunteer Service Award Gold. 

Bella Kim

Bella is a senior at Arnold O. Beckman High School and is the current Field Ambassador for the Southern California Region. She serves as the President of her school’s Red Cross club and as the Fundraising Committee Lead of the Youth Advisory Council in her region. She has participated in the summer Leadership Development Camp, staffed for the virtual Growing Leaders Of the World (GLOW Red) Camp, and been a part of the Orange County Chapter’s Volunteer Connection and Fundraising Committee. As the Field Ambassador, Bella aspires to promote an environment for all youth to unite and champion the American Red Cross mission as well as emphasize the importance of diversity. 

Cassandra Leo

Cassandra, a junior at Quarry Lane High School, is the Field Ambassador for the Northern California Coastal Region. She began her Red Cross journey during her freshmen year, first serving as a Blood Donor Ambassador and Workforce Engagement Onboarding Team Member. Throughout her three years, she founded her school's club chapter and now oversees other Red Cross Clubs in the region as the Club Liaison Coordinator for the East Bay Youth Executive Board. She hopes that as a Field Ambassador, she is able to connect her region to engaging initiatives. Outside of the Red Cross, she runs her own photography business and is training to become a lifeguard. 

Clara Yu

Clara is a junior at the Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences and is the Field Ambassador for the New Jersey Region. She currently serves as the Vice President of the UCVTS Red Cross club, where she plans blood drives, preparedness events, and fundraisers. She is also an active contributor of the youth International Humanitarian Law (IHL) initiative and the Prepare with Pedro program. Clara is the Club Relations Committee Central Jersey Chapter Lead of the Youth Council, where she writes and edits the monthly newsletter. Outside of Red Cross, Clara enjoys competitive swimming, playing the cello, watching Netflix, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.

Hans Bach-Nguyen

Hans (he/him/his) is a senior at Adolfo Camarillo High School in Ventura County. Hans’s involvement with Red Cross began his sophomore year when he joined the Red Cross Club. Inspired to lead, he became the club’s president his junior year and led projects such as Sound the Alarm and organizing blood drives. Through impactful initiatives, he grew the club to be the largest club at his school and the most active Red Cross club in Central California. This year, he is serving his second term as co-president of his Red Cross club and Ventura County’s co-coordinator of youth. His main goal is to improve youth engagement across his region through available communication. Outside of Red Cross, you can find Hans enjoys composting, hikes, and digital design. 

Katherine Son

Katherine is a senior at West Career & Technical Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is currently president of the WCTA Red Cross Club and has been involved with the club since her freshman year. She deepened her relationship with Red Cross when she re-founded the club during the 2020-2021 school year. Katherine’s focus is to increase awareness of local and global current events and provide a fun and rewarding volunteering experience to other high schools. She is also involved in many other service clubs and projects such as HOSA, Key Club, and National Honors Society. Katherine hopes to create a lifelong connection with Red Cross and continue to help others after high school. 

Katie Clark

Katie is a junior at Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Washington and serves as the Field Ambassador for the Cascades Region. She is in the International Baccalaureate Program. Interested in volunteer work, public health, and the biomedical field, Katie began volunteering with the Red Cross her freshman year to learn more about blood donation. She currently serves as president of the Southwest Washington Youth Council, chair of the board of representatives for the Cascade Board of Directors, and member of the Cascades Youth Executive Board. During her term, she hopes to bolster local youth engagement by making more events accessible to clubs in the region. In her free time, Katie enjoys swimming, playing piano, and painting. 

Katie Nakai

Katie is a sophomore at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School and is the Field Ambassador for the Massachusetts Region. Katie started her journey as a Blood Donor Ambassador the summer before her freshman year. In her freshman year, Katie created a global platform for high school students interested in medicine. She shared her volunteer experiences with over 2,000 students and helped many start volunteering with the Red Cross. During her sophomore year, she became a member of the Massachusetts screening team, helping prospective volunteers. Katie is excited to work with others who are passionate about the Red Cross and looks forward to expanding youth engagement. 

Maia Campbell

Maia’s first experience with the Red Cross was in September of 2018. Hurricane Florence had viciously struck the North Carolina coast and many people were displaced and being sheltered to inland NC cities like Charlotte. As she saw her parents volunteer all weekend at the Red Cross temporary shelter at a local high school, collecting donations, delivering supplies, and checking in on evacuees, she remembered asking, “What could the kids do to help?” Since that summer, a fire lit beneath her and a passion for community activism, youth leadership, and volunteerism was ignited. 

Melissa Lee

Melissa is a senior at Davis Senior High School and represents the California Gold Country Region. Her involvement with the Red Cross began in her sophomore year and she now serves as the President of her high school's Red Cross Club. Additionally, she is the chair of the Gold Country Region's Youth Executive Board. Melissa enjoys connecting with people from all walks of life to volunteer for a greater cause. Her goal as a Field Ambassador is to increase access to and quality of opportunities in the Gold Country Region. During her free time, Melissa enjoys figure skating, playing badminton, watching Netflix, and spending time with her golden retriever.

Nicole Tsaroukian

Nicole is a junior at Clark Magnet High School and serves as the Field Ambassador for the Los Angeles Region. She began volunteering for the Red Cross her freshman year and now serves as the Graphics lead for her high school’s Red Cross Club. She also participated in the READYTeens summer preparedness program as well as the Leadership  Development Virtual Conference. Nicole hopes to collaborate with her fellow Field Ambassadors to create successful projects and build lasting connections. She is excited to work alongside other passionate volunteers to increase youth involvement and cannot wait to leave her mark in the Red Cross community. Outside of volunteering, Nicole enjoys watching films/making movies, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Niya Patel

Niya is a senior at Hawken High school and represents the Northern Ohio Region. She began volunteering for the Red Cross after the summer of her sophomore year as a Youth Blood Donor Ambassador. She founded her school's Red Cross Club the following year, and raised money to make first aid kits for a local Women's Shelter. Niya hopes to create more youth volunteer opportunities in her region. Her favorite aspect of volunteering is being able to meet new people and work with others to help the community stay safe and healthy. In her free time, Niya likes to bake, dance, and play soccer.

Olivia Lombardo

Olivia is a senior at Minisink Valley High School in Orange County, New York. She is beyond honored and excited to serve as the Field Ambassador for the Eastern New York Region. Olivia has been volunteering in various nursing units at a local medical center as well as shadows a medical professional in her prospective field. She wishes to inspire youth engagement region-wide, initiate valuable service projects, and develop meaningful relationships with the incredible Red Cross volunteers in the area. In the future, she hopes to continue her involvement with the American Red Cross as she pursues her medical career.

Owen Zhang

Owen is a senior at Bellaire High School in Houston, Texas. He currently serves as the TGCR Youth Service Council Executive Chair, where he plans and coordinates youth projects and events for the region, including blood drives, STA campaigns, disaster preparedness trainings (RedCrossReady), youth socials, diversity calls, and fundraising events. Additionally, he serves as the region's IHL Lead Coordinator. His favorite events are Sound the Alarm campaigns and Missing Map-A-Thons, which he has trained hundreds of Red Cross volunteers on. Owen has received the President's Volunteer Service Gold Award, Points of Light Inspiration National Honoree, the TGCR International Service Award, as well as the Most Exceptional Youth Volunteer Award for his ARC work. In his free time, he loves to play volleyball.

Patrick Bednarz 

Patrick, a senior at BASIS Goodyear High School in Goodyear, Arizona, is the Field Ambassador for the Arizona and New Mexico Region. Patrick first became involved with the Red Cross in 2019 when he joined his school’s IHL Youth Action Campaign team. Since then, he has served as both a IHL YAC regional coordinator and a lead advocate in his region. As part of the IHL YAC Campaign program, Patrick attended the IHL YAC summits in 2020 and 2021. Outside of volunteering with the Red Cross, Patrick swims competitively for the YMCA Westside Silver Fins, serves as a commissioner on the City of Goodyear’s Youth Commission, and is President of his school’s Pre-Med club. As a Field Ambassador, Patrick hopes to extend his volunteerism with the Red Cross outside of the IHL YAC program to have an impact on other areas of need.

Rebecca Stephenson

Rebecca is a junior at Inglemoor High School and is the current Field Ambassador for the Northwest Region. She has been involved with the Red Cross for two years, serving as the Red Cross Club President at her school for the 2021-22 school year. Rebecca has successfully led projects with broad participation, like Holiday Mail for Heroes. She hopes to grow participation and youth engagement, and looks forward to being more involved with the Red Cross and its mission. Outside of her involvement with the Red Cross, Rebecca enjoys writing, listening to music, and being a HOSA club officer at her school. In the future, Rebecca hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

Riddhi Bansal 

Riddhi is a current junior at East Lyme High School and serves as the Field Ambassador for the Connecticut/Rhode Island Region. She began volunteering with the Red Cross as a freshman. Throughout her time at the Red Cross, she has served as a Coordinator for the IHL Youth Action Campaign. Outside of the Red Cross, she’s involved in HOSA, Model UN, and Women in Stem. She is also a varsity tennis player and a dancer. Additionally, she has EMT training and volunteers in hospitals to become a medical doctor one day.  As a Field Ambassador, she hopes to engage more youth in her region, educate youth on Red Cross topics, and positively impact the community!

Saima Hoque

Saima is a senior at Deer Park High School and the Field Ambassador for the Greater New York Region.  She is the Red Cross club president and an International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Youth Action Campaign Advocate. In the past three years, she has participated in and organized several successful events, such as Vaccinate-a-Village and the annual Deer Park Red Cross Scavenger Hunt. Outside of Red Cross, she is actively involved in her community; she serves as the president of five clubs and continually draws inspiration from the Red Cross volunteer spirit. You can always find Saima whipping up a new recipe in the kitchen or immersing herself in a good book.

Sanjana Velu 

Sanjana, a junior at William Mason High School, serves as the Central and Southern Ohio Region Field Ambassador. Her involvement with ARC began two years ago as a freshman when she founded a Red Cross Club at her high school. She currently serves as Co-President of the Club and leader of Central and Southern Ohio region's youth council. Within her roles, she has helped organize projects such as food drives, a newsletters, Measles and Rubella fundraisers, Preparedness Fairs, Totes of Hope for homeless veterans, Blood Donor cards, blood donation campaigns, and many more. In her free time, Sanjana enjoys reading, running, and baking. As Field Ambassador, Sanjana hopes to increase youth membership and involvement in the Central and Southern Ohio Region.

Sanjeev Varma 

Sanjeev, a student at C. Leon King High School is the current Field Ambassador for the Central Florida region. He started his Red Cross involvement summer of 2021 and has been an active participant in the weekly Be Red Cross Ready presentations. From there, he took his volunteerism to the next level by serving as the Central Florida Region’s Field Ambassador and his club’s Treasurer. Sanjeev enjoys bringing together ideas of many volunteers in order to foster an active environment of Red Cross participation and enjoyment. Through his position as Field Ambassador, Sanjeev hopes to work together with others to have a successful year.

Srijan Oduru 

Srijan is a senior at Green Hope High School and is the Field Ambassador for the Eastern North Carolina Region. He began volunteering as a Blood Donor Ambassador in middle school and is now a Regional Committee Member and a volunteer in his school’s Red Cross Club. Srijan enjoys connecting with other volunteers, whether they be teenagers or senior citizens. As a Field Ambassador, he is especially excited to work in concert with the National Youth Council to promote national initiatives, and to collaborate with the regional Board of Directors and Youth Engagement Team to support regional youth volunteer clubs. Srijan is highly interested in biology, loves listening to music, plays the harmonium, and can be frequently found playing basketball.

Vybhavi Kotireddy 

Vybhavi, a senior at Alpharetta High School, is the Field Ambassador for the Georgia Region. She volunteered at her first blood drive during the summer of her freshman year and enjoyed the positive interactions and impactful service, which inspired her to begin her Red Cross journey. Since then, she serves as a Volunteer Recruitment Team member and has initiated the launch of the Georgia Youth Advisory Council, which she now leads with a team. She also serves as the Vice President of her high school club, in which she has organized Disaster Preparedness Fundraisers, Card projects, kit drives, and more. Vybhavi hopes to continue encouraging youth involvement and facilitate greater communication across clubs. She is excited to work with many other leaders and make lasting relationships.

Yuvraj Bhallar

Yuvraj began his Red Cross Journey in 2019. Since then, he has worked on numerous regional and national projects in Volunteer Services, Information Technology, Disaster Cycle Services, Biomedical Services, International Services and Finance. It is a true joy for him to serve in so many capacities and to make a difference. He possesses great interpersonal skills and is a team player. When Yuvraj is not volunteering for the Red Cross, he enjoys reading, playing basketball, swimming, and golfing. He is ecstatic to be working with other Field Ambassadors and with the National Youth Council.