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introducing LILAC's...
LEADERSHIP TEAM
We're so proud to announce our Leadership Team! LILAC is so grateful for its amazing members, without whose tireless labor to help our communities, we would not be where we are today!⠀
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Please give a warm welcome to all the wonderful LILAC members who have shown an immense amount of dedication and capacity, and have thus been given charge of continuing to push LILAC forward to unknown heights and help more people than ever!⠀These Student Leaders have not only shown an outstanding work ethic and dedication to the organization's cause, but are highly motivated, self-driven, adaptable problem solvers.
We look forward to having these amazing talents and are excited about the direction we will take together as LILAC moves towards larger initiatives designed to help more people during these unprecedented and difficult times.
Founder & Executive Director
Sabrina Guo hails from Oyster Bay Cove, NY, and is a sophomore attending Syosset High School on Long Island. She is an award-winning student journalist, poet, writer, violinist, social activist, and a young humanitarian. One of the many reasons she writes today is to amplify the experiences and voices of marginalized girls and young women, and to have a lasting positive impact on the trajectory of their lives and opportunities. She's an emerging young poet seeking to build her identity and dive deeper into what the creative and interdisciplinary arts provide. Sabrina founded LILAC as a way to give back to her communities and the world at large by fundraising and donating PPE and providing an emotional support program through the ThankYou & WeCare Initiative to everyone laboring in these unprecedented times. To all of those working hard to fight this pandemic, and those going through difficult times, Sabrina hopes LILAC can be a place of encouragement and solace.
Assistant Director of the Creative Works Committee, Co-Chair of the Calligraphy Subcommittee, and an Artistic Director
Aarjivi Chandra is a 10th Grader at Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School in New York. She is the Assistant Director of the Creative Work Committee, Co-Chair of the Calligraphy Subcommittee, and an Artistic Director. Aarjivi has been a part of LILAC since May. Art has always been an essential part of her life and she has been interested in it ever since she was a child. From pottery to painting to calligraphy, she’s partaken and enjoyed all forms of art. In school, Aarjivi looked forward to her Drawing and Painting class the most, and joined clubs related to the arts such as Photography Club. Another form of art Aarjivi is very fond of is music and thus she participated in her school’s choir and played the piano out of school. At first, when COVID-19 hit, she felt helpless looking at the numbers of coronavirus cases rising and watching as essential workers, doctors, and nurses worked so hard to keep our community safe. Through LILAC, she could show her respect for them with her artworks. Aarjivi will continue making more artworks and calligraphies and work hard as an Assistant Director, Co-Chair, and Artistic Director.
Director of Web & Technology Committee
Melanie is a senior in high school from Holmdel, NJ. She has been working with LILAC since March as part of the Web & Technology Committee. She was one of the first members to join this committee and built the official website. She has since been managing the LILAC’s YouTube channel and website and uploading content for the TY&WC Initiative. She would like to thank LILAC for giving her this opportunity and will continue to work hard as Director of LILAC’s Web & Technology Committee!
Co-Director of Creative Works, Director of Film Production(aka LILAC Productions), Chair of the Video & Digital Media Committee, and a Lead Artistic Director.
Hello, my name is Marla Hakim, and I am a 10th Grader at Syosset High School in New York. I am the Co-Director of Creative Works, Director of Film Production, Chair of the Video & Digital Media Subcommittee, and a Lead Artistic Director. I have been an integral part of LILAC since April, starting out as an artist, but soon I developed a more versatile portfolio and an artistic arsenal as a calligrapher and documentary film producer. I saw first hand how bringing communities and people together through compassion and gratitude can have a profound impact on people’s lives. Seeing the smiles and tears in strangers that we serve brings a fulfilling feeling of joy. I have moved around the world from Egypt, Zambia and many states across the US. Regardless of where I lived, I enjoyed helping those around me. Through my roles and responsibilities at LILAC, I will continue to engage our communities and beyond and “Be the Change.”
Assistant Director of the Creative Works Committee, Co-Chair of the Calligraphy Subcommittee, Co-Chair of the Artwork Subcommittee, and an Artistic Director
Nikhita Kapoor is a sophomore at Plainview Old Bethpage JFK High School, and the Assistant Director of the Creative Works Committee, Co-Chair of the Calligraphy Subcommittee, Co-Chair of the Artwork Subcommittee, and an Artistic Director. She has been working as a member of LILAC since May. Art is something that's always been a source of comfort for her, and it means a lot to be able to spread this feeling of solace to those around her. Whether it be drawing, painting, calligraphy, or even just writing, she loves it more than anything. Being able to take on these positions and have the opportunity to create more meaningful artwork dedicated to medical and nonmedical essential heroes during this pandemic is an incredible honor for her. Through the beauty of art, she will work hard to spread messages of positivity and love and let these workers know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Most of all, she hopes to give people in her community a reason to smile and bring them together so they can all get through these tough times.
MAKO K.
Co-Chair of the Calligraphy Subcommittee
Mako is a high school student in Long Island and has been a part of LILAC since July. She is the Co-Chair of the Calligraphy Subcommittee. She enjoys art and modern calligraphy/brush calligraphy, and has calligraphed several artist statements through LILAC’s ThankYou & WeCare Creative Work Initiative. She is very grateful to be a part of the Calligraphy Subcommittee, as it gives her a chance to be able to work with many other talented young artists. Mako wanted to join this organization because she wanted to give back to the front line workers that were risking their own safety and health for the welfare of others. She is an active member of several other clubs, such as Vocal Jazz, Adelettes, and Relief Club. In her free time, she likes to watch movies and art journal. She is continually impacted and inspired by LILAC’s efforts, and hopes to be able to help those affected by the coronavirus.
Vice Chair of the Artwork Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the Calligraphy Subcommittee
SeonJu Lee is a sophomore at Syosset High School and LILAC’s Vice Chair of the Artwork subcommittee and also the Vice Chair of Calligraphy subcommittee. SeonJu has been working with LILAC ever since May and so far to her it has been the greatest experience ever. With other many talented members, she was able to use her artistic talents to show her support to many of our non-medical and medical heroes working diligently and selflessly. For that, she wants to thank LILAC for giving her this great opportunity. And as she goes on with LILAC she hopes many people can feel comforted and happy during this troubling time.
Director of Communications and Public Relations and Co-Chair of the Social Media Marketing Subcommittee
Azam is a junior at Syosset High School in Long Island, New York. The impact that LILAC has made is so inspiring to him and he hopes to contribute as much as he can to spread the impact and benefits of the organization to all of those who were severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Serving as the Director of Communications and Public Relations as well as the Co-Chair of the Social Media Marketing Subcommittee, Azam handles a lot of the behind-the-scenes work with reaching out to medical facilities and other organizations to work with. Coordinating the logistics behind some of the other work done by LILAC and participating in several other committees, Azam understands the true scope of the hard work done by all of the members and the organization as a whole. Outside of LILAC, Azam serves as the Youth Lead for Volunteering at his mosque and volunteers at Nassau University Medical Center. He is also the Secretary for both DECA and Relief Club, and is an active member of several other clubs. In his free time, Azam loves to play table tennis and read books. He is so grateful to have this opportunity to take on more responsibility within LILAC and will strive to serve as many as he can alongside his determined LILAC members and leadership.
Co-Director of Creative Works, Co-Chair of the Artwork Subcommittee, and Lead Artistic Director
Hello! My name is Yeonwoo Lee, a sophomore at Plainview Old-Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. I am LILAC’s Co-Director of the Creative Works Committee, the Co-Chair of the Artwork Subcommittee, and the Lead Artistic Director. I am so privileged and honored to have this opportunity to use my love and passion for art to give back to my community. I am so grateful to be a part of this organization, and now to be one of the students to represent it. I can’t wait to see how much we grow and conquer together.
Co-Director of the Social Media Committee and Assistant Director of the Content Committee
Brian Li is a junior at the Pingry School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. He is so grateful to be able to be the Co-Director of the Social Media Committee and Assistant Director of the Content Committee for LILAC. As a member of LILAC since May, Brian joined LILAC because he was greatly inspired by the organization’s message to assist healthcare professionals, essential, and nonessential workers alike. His experience with this organization has been integral to his growth as a person. He started his journey with LILAC by creating posts for the Instagram account, but as time passed, began writing articles for the Content Committee and became the primary administrator of LILAC's social media accounts. Currently, Brian creates and publishes many of LILAC's Instagram posts and stories, along with regularly writing article summaries and analyses for the Content Committee. He is a student with many interests, ranging from writing in his free time, playing squash on his school’s varsity team, and partaking in a variety of activities, such as a student-run credit union and his school's official newspaper, of which he is the assistant editor. This summer, Brian co-founded an online tutoring organization that aims to help the community during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing high quality, completely free, and interactive learning opportunities for middle school students. He truly is passionate about giving back to the community that had done so much for him. Brian hopes to apply what he has learned from his experience with LILAC to all facets of his life and continue to help stop the spread of this terrible pandemic.
Director of the Content Committee and Assistant Director of the Social Media Committee
Sarah Ninan is a junior at Herricks High School who has recently had the honor of being appointed as Director of the Content Committee and Assistant Director of the Social Media Committee at LILAC. She has been a member of LILAC since May and since then, she has been able to accomplish so much alongside Sabrina and the other members of the LILAC team. When she joined, she was looking for a way to give back to the community, and LILAC has provided her numerous ways to do so. She has been able to utilize the skills she already had as well as gain new skills when doing her part in the organization. She has been able to meet so many incredible people and work with such a great team in the process. Though it's only been a few months, she is grateful that she has been offered this opportunity to continue to contribute to her community during the pandemic and can't wait to see LILAC continue to expand and grow and achieve many more great things.
Co-Director of Fundraising, the Chair of the News Subcommittee, and the Co-Chair of the Social Media Marketing Subcommittee
Eric (Zhu) Liu is a senior from Great Neck South High School on Long Island, New York. Eric has been a part of LILAC since March, now serving as the Director of Fundraising, the Chair of the News Subcommittee, and the Co-Chair of the Social Media Marketing Subcommittee. As part of his responsibilities, Eric raises funds for PPE purchases, informs the public of new pharmaceutical discoveries and governmental regulations, and grows LILAC’s overall publicity. Eric’s commitment to social service stems from his passion and aspirations in wildlife conservation. As a proactive and self-guided initiator, Eric founded the NYS registered non-profit Leaders in Wildlife Conservation, which has published journals discussing the One Health connections between COVID-19, wildlife conservation, and climate change. Eric persistently seeks education in animal science, learning from academic programs, research, and veterinary internships, including a conservation medicine one in Bolivia.
Through these experiences, Eric has worked with many esteemed conservationists, realizing societal problems’ threat to conservation success and thus biodiversity. From performing drums at local events to becoming the President of his school’s Global Angels Club and a student government representative, Eric’s dedication to social service has led him to join LILAC. Having participated in two of LILAC’s donation events, one at the Cedarmore Farmer’s Market and the other at the Nassau Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (during the peak of the pandemic), Eric is honored to have connected with many inspiring and exemplary politicians. Most important for Eric, seeing the domestic infection rate drop, he is proud and grateful for his contributions to public health: protecting essential workers as well as families and individuals from underserved communities.
Vice Chair of the News Subcommittee
Alyssa is a sophomore at Syosset High School in Long Island, New York. After joining LILAC in April, Alyssa started writing informative articles for the News Committee to publish onto LILAC’s platform. Currently, Alyssa is the Vice-Chair of LILAC’s News Committee. Alyssa is grateful for the opportunity to help her community through this trying time. She wishes to combat the constant stream of misinformation using factual data to promote the truth and help others to make informed decisions. Alyssa is proud to be a part of something bigger than herself that helps others. During the school year, Alyssa is involved in Book Club, Girls Who Code and the Newspaper. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing and playing with her dog. In the past, Alyssa has also volunteered through her local church to make sandwiches for Long Island food shelters and create birthday packages for underprivileged children.
Co-Director of the Social Media Committee and Editing Manager of the Film Production Committee (aka LILAC Productions)
Sarah is a senior at New Hyde Park Memorial High School. She enjoys painting as well as drawing; as an avid artist, she has donated several artworks through LILAC’s ThankYou & WeCare Creative Work Initiative. Sarah has made a significant impact in several committees and most recently helped to donate 10,000 masks and half dozen artworks to the Freeport School District, and was interviewed for a COVID-19 relief documentary film. In school, Sarah is the president of the Muslim Student Association Club, and she participates in the Italian Club, Red Cross Club, Best Buddies Club, Model UN Club, and the Talented and Gifted Program. She is also a passionate writer for the Yearbook Club and an active member of several honor societies. Outside of school, Sarah works at Mindnasium and Kumon, and she shadows a doctor in her free time! Stemming from her Pakistani roots, Sarah also takes comfort in baking cultural goods and being a local henna artist.
Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer
Dana is a tenth grader at Horace Mann School which is in the Bronx, New York. She recently joined LILAC in July, because she could no longer sit around and do nothing while people out there were dying for families’ safety. Since then Dana has been working with LILAC donating masks and PPE to different communities. Dana started out as a poet, then became a part of the Content Committee and finally also the Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer. She is very grateful to be a part of the Content Committee where she works with many other students that are here to not only help and guide but also work together with her to give back to the communities. During her first donation, Dana handed out masks and hand sanitizer to each family in their cars. These families were surprised at first but soon smiles were on all their faces. Seeing their smiles gave Dana the utmost feeling of joy and it has also encouraged her to continue helping out communities through LILAC.
Co-Director of Fundraising and Assistant Director of the Film Production (aka LILAC Productions)
Eric Wang is a rising senior at Syosset High School, in Syosset, NY. He’s the current Co-Director of Fundraising, Assistant Director of the Film Production (aka LILAC Productions), and also a vital member of the Content Committee. After donating to LILAC, the organization had truly left an impact on Eric’s resolve to change his community. Even before Eric’s enlistment, he already experienced first-hand the gratitude of the community and attention LILAC had been receiving, and became interested in becoming more of an active role in the organization. Eric has served many different underrepresented groups, but LILAC was undoubtedly the best vehicle to broaden his perspective, and help the most people possible. The emotional connections Eric makes with the recipients and with the rest of his team are just as valuable as the countless donations of PPE. As Eric becomes more and more involved with his responsibilities at LILAC, he knows that it will guide him in the right direction, and improve both his community and Eric himself.
Director of the Membership and Recruiting Committee
My name is Bill Yu, a senior at Jericho High School, and I am very honored to be a part of the LILAC team. While the coronavirus has reminded us of the powerlessness of humankind while facing death and to cherish the ordinary life that people had been accustomed to for long, the frontliners, who save others’ lives with sacrifice of their own, demonstrated to us the brightest and strongest side of humanity. I appreciate the work done by these health workers, and I am willing to contribute my efforts and skills to help them beat the current pandemic. As a lover of art, I sincerely hope my artwork can reinstill the inspiration and confidence in the hearts of those doctors as well as those have suffered from the pandemic.