Meet the 2023-2024 City Spotlights Teen Leaders

Alex, 16, will be entering his Senior year of high school this fall and is joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer. At school Alex is involved in club swimming, Junior Classical League, Quiz Bowl and the school band. When working in a team, Alex strives to involve others, likes exploring challenges, and is not afraid to try new and daring ideas. 

Amia, 16, is a rising junior and is returning to City Spotlights for the second year in a row. Amia is an active member of OrigiNation Dance troup, with which she performs regularly. Amia has recently started her own business and looks forward to pursuing a career in the performing arts. She hopes to one day work as an actor or model and is inspired by artists like Tyler the Creator.

Annelise, 15, will be entering her junior year this fall. Annelise is proud of her involvement with both her church choir and Sunday Service. Annelise wants to use her art to help bring people together and is inspired by artists such as Lauryn Hill and Michael Jackson. 

Ayainna, 15, will be entering her sophomore year this fall and is joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer. Ayaianna is involved in Emerson Theatre, is proud of the time she has spent volunteering in her community and is inspired by artists like Victora Pedretti. 

Aziah, 14, will soon be entering her sophomore year. At school Aziah is involved in chess club, glee club, robotics club and the varsity volleyball team. Aziah is proud of the progress she has made learning to how play guitar and receiving her school’s Overall Excellence Award in both Math and Drama. 

Bjam, 16, is excited to enter his senior year this fall. After a successful year participating in the Boch Center Teen Leadership Council, Bjam will be joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer in the music specialty. Bjam is an active musician, dancer, influencer and basketball player and looks forward to writing more music this summer. 

Daisy is a rising junior at Snowden International School and is returning to City Spotlights for the second year in a row. At school Daisy is an active member of the GSA and she is a proud advocate for environmental policies that promote recycling programs in schools and recently achieved High Honors two semesters this school year. Daisy is a fan of reading about historical figures and hopes to one day study history in college.

Elijah, 18, recently graduated from Cathedral High School and is returning to City Spotlights for the second summer in a row. At school Elijah was involved with Student Government, National Honor Society and Theatre Club. Elijah is proud of his other achievements which include participating in past Boch Center Education programming and programming through Fidelity. Elijah looks forward to pursuing a career in the arts.

Gabriella is excited to be joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer in the dance specialty. Gabriela is a fan of spending her time doing yoga and is proud of getting her first job! She hopes to one day pursue a career working with computers. Gabriela is inspired by her sisters, her parents and Bryanna.

Hada, 16, will be entering the 11th grade in the fall. At school Hada is an active member of the swim, track, field, and volleyball teams. Hada is proud of the progress she has made as an artist and animator and is inspired by other artists like CG5, Imagine Dragons, Shawn Mendes and Panic! At the Disco. 

Jeanette, 16, will be entering her sophomore year this fall and is joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer. Jeanette is proud of her involvement in the Baking Club at her school as well as winning recent awards for her poetry. Jeanette hopes to attend college to pursue her dream career as a writer.

Kayla, 16, will be entering her junior year this fall and is returning to City Spotlights for the second summer in a row. At school Kayla is active on the Dance Team, Cheer Squad, and National Honor Society. Kayla is inspired by artists such as Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu and wants to attend college to study biology in the hopes of one day becoming a scientist.

Khamyra, 14, will be entering her freshman year of high school this fall. At school she is involved in theatre and outside of school she works at her aunt’s shop. Khamyra is proud of her accomplishments which include getting Honors, learning Japanese, and successfully completing Outward Bound. 

Kyleigh, 16, will be entering the 11th grade in the fall. At school Kyleigh is involved in lacrosse, softball, volleyball, hockey and cheer. She is proud of accomplishing Honors this past school year. Kyleigh is inspired by artists like Taylor Swift and hopes to one day attend Nursing school.

Laniya, 16, will be entering her junior year this upcoming school year. At school Laniya is involved in band and outside of school Laniya volunteers with younger students at the dance studio she attends. She is proud of the Letter of Commendation she received in Algebra this past year, making honor roll and the time she spent mentoring young children. Laniya is inspired by artists like Maya Angelou and hopes to one day pursue a degree in psychology.

Leilah, 15, will be entering her Sophomore year in the fall and is joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer. At school Leilah is involved in Dance, Theatre, and Basketball. Leilah is a violin player, a member of her school’s Black Student Union Club and finished her freshman year of high school on the honor roll. Leilah is inspired by her favorite artist, SZA, and hopes to one day pursue a career in business.

Mabel, 15, is joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer. Mabel is an active member of different art clubs at her school including Studio Art, Glee and Drama Club. Mabel is also a member of her school’s Student Council and has made honor roll multiple times in recent years. Mabel is inspired by her art and drama teachers to attend college to pursue a career in the arts.

Mia, 15, will be entering her sophomore year at Boston Latin in the Fall. Mia is proud of getting high honors at school, the time she has spent going to the Boston Ballet and achieving Cheer Captain. Mia is inspired by artists like Beyonce, Muni Long, SZA, and Megan Thee Stallion. Mia is considering pursuing a career in dance one day.

Shaki’la, 16, will be entering the 11th grade in the fall. She is joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer and is a proud Honor Student at her school. Shaki’la hopes to one day pursue a career as a mental health counselor and is inspired by her mother, her family, and artists like The Neighbourhood. 

T’Naya, 15, is a student at Quincy High School. At school T’Naya has played basketball and has been on the Double Dutch Team and the High School Debate Team, at which she led her team to their first National Debate. T’Naya has been a member of the Girl Scouts and was a Teen Counselor at the YMCA. T’Naya is excited to be a Teen Leader, make friends and have a positive and successful summer.

Vivien, 15, will be entering 11th grade at Boston Latin School in the fall. Vivien is proud of her participation in Boston Latin School’s Beginner’s Ballet, Turn It Out Performance Team, and Julianne’s Dance Workshop. She is also proud of being the Junior Dance Team Captain, receiving first place for a Jazz Solo at Starquest Dance Competitions and a Bronze Medal on the National Spanish Exam. 

Wyatt, 17, recently graduated from high school and is returning to City Spotlights after participating in the summer of 2022 and participating in Teen Council this past school year. At school Wyatt was involved in the National Honor Society, the student government and was proud to receive high honors plus a scholarship to college. Wyatt is inspired by artists like Ariana Grande and hopes to one day pursue a career in music.

Zander, 16, will be entering 11th grade this fall and is joining City Spotlights for the first time this summer. At school he is active in Rowing Club, Skating Club and Drama Club where he has been named the Biology and Performing Arts Student of the Month. Outside of school Zander participates in many events at the Copley Library. Zander is inspired by artists like Chris Burden and hopes to one day spend his time surfing the beaches of California with a bearded dragon named Pig.