Meet the Team

DIRECTOR OF TORREY PINES CHAPTER

Betty Xie is a junior at Torrey Pines High School. She enjoys hiking in nature and learning new things about the plants and animals she sees. She joined Project ARISE to help raise awareness of environmental issues in the community. In her free time, she loves spending time to bake, making wooden projects, and fencing.

DIRECTOR OF BISHOP’S CHAPTER

Sydney Whitman is currently a senior at the Bishops School. She’s taken many courses surrounding environmental research, most recently enrolling in a marine biology class. There, she was first introduced to invasive species and their impact on wildlife and natural ecosystems. After hearing about ARISE, Sydney was drawn to the aspect of learning more about controlling invasive species. She’s collaborated with the other ARISE team members to supply a better understanding of the impact of invasive species on both our lives and the lives of other living creatures. Apart from school, she likes to spend her free time drawing/painting, listening to music, and playing with her cats.

DIRECTOR OF BISHOP’S CHAPTER

Kathleen Owens is a sophomore at the Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California, with a passion for all things environment. She’s loved nature ever since she was small, when she explored every inch of the canyon behind her house to look at all the wildlife. She is thrilled to be a part of Project ARISE in order to preserve and protect our environment! In her free time, she can be found reading, acting, or competing in Model United Nations and Speech and Debate.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION — CALIFORNIA

Michelle is a senior at The Bishop’s School. She loves going on road trips (minus the driving) to national parks, her favorite being Yellowstone for its beautiful wildlife. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, cuddling her dog Stella, and reading a wide range of books, from classic literature to contemporary novels. Michelle joined Project ARISE as Co-Director of Education to create engaging, accessible lessons that inspire curiosity and spread awareness about environmental issues. She hopes that she can make a lasting impact by empowering others to care deeply about the natural world around them!

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION — CALIFORNIA

Aska Enomoto is a junior at The Bishop’s School who has a strong passion for environmental advocacy. Her interest began early when she learned about ecosystems, quickly leading her to volunteer work aimed at raising awareness. After discovering ARISE, she gained a new perspective on environmental action, focusing on reducing invasive species! She especially enjoys working with children and inspiring them to become the next generation of environmental leaders. Aska is excited to collaborate with other passionate communities that share her vision. In her free time, she likes to volunteer, connecting with her local community, and expressing her creativity through sketching.

DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT

Leslie Cheng, junior at La Jolla High, has always been a nature enthusiast that yearns to learn more about the wildlife. She has always wanted to put her hands onto helping climate change, and starting with an amazing opportunity to come help the local ecosystem with Project ARISE has been a great experience to have. Her passion of expanding knowledge in the field is growing only stronger with each service opportunity. In her free time, she will be found competitively gaming or at an ice rink figure skating.

DIRECTOR OF APP DEVELOPMENT

Michael Sun is a junior at The Bishop's School. His passion for computer science, alongside an appreciation for the complexities of nature, motivated him to join the development team of Project ARISE; hence following the opportunity to work with software and grow with other developers. In his free time, he enjoys competitive programming, doing math, and playing tennis.

DIRECTOR OF COPPELL CHAPTER

Rithika Kuppa is a junior at Coppell High School who is deeply committed to environmental advocacy and community service. She is dedicated to giving back through various neighborhood initiatives and service projects. Rithika believes that local action is the main driver for global change and she is focused on creating a more sustainable future for her peers. Within Project ARISE, she uses her organizational skills to help the team reach its milestones and stay on track. She is very excited to contribute to the project and see the group’s shared goals become a reality. Rithika values the collaborative nature of the team and looks forward to the positive impact they can make together. When she is not working on community projects, Rithika enjoys spending her time on creative outlets like painting and baking. She is also an avid reader and loves listening to music as a way to find balance and stay inspired in her daily life.

DIRECTOR OF COPPELL CHAPTER

Tapasya Shah is a junior at Coppell High School with an interest in environmental sustainability and community health. From a young age, she has enjoyed spending time outdoors through activities such as hiking and camping, which helped shape her appreciation for the environment. She is actively involved in volunteering and community service and values opportunities that create meaningful, real-world impact. Tapasya is excited to partake in the Coppell Project ARISE chapter as well as collaborate with peers on environmental initiatives through workshops, hosted events, and more! Project ARISE has given her a stronger understanding of environmental challenges, including the role of invasive species and their effects on the environment. In her spare time, Tapasya enjoys playing volleyball, listening to music, and learning about anatomy and physiology.

DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING — COPPELL

Riya Cheedalla is a junior at Coppell High School who is fascinated by AI and environmental preservation. She hopes her team makes big impacts as they become a part of Project ARISE! Riya believes that even small actions encourage meaningful change in a community. Volunteering for her community has always been an important component in her daily life. Project ARISE has introduced her to new forms of volunteering and different environmental perspectives on invasive species. Riya hopes to motivate more and more people to saving the planet. She is incredibly excited to partner with organizations to make a difference! Her hobbies include: dancing, coding, and photography.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION — COPPELL

Akul Parasuraman is a junior at Coppell High School, who as long as he could remember has always been into environmental rights and serving the community. He believes a sustainable environment is an unalienable right that the future generations deserve. He joined Project ARISE because he believes it’s a way to bridge the gap between awareness and action, helping turn environmental concern into change. When he isn’t advocating for environmental rights you can find him lifting,listening to music, or gaming.

DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH — COPPELL

As a junior at Coppell High School, Aarush Patil has always had a strong desire to make a significant difference in his community. He thinks that the safety of the environment is important to communities everywhere and that even small actions can have a big impact. He joined Project ARISE because it enables him to directly work toward positive change in the environment, putting his values into practice. In his free time he enjoys playing sports, reading, drawing, and spending time with friends and family.

DIRECTOR OF POLICY ADVOCACY — GEORGIA

Ever since she was little, she's been that person stopping to admire a leaf, taking photographs on hikes, writing poems and short paragraphs of what she felt and experienced whenever she's outside. She has always been dreaming of a world where nature would stay the same...abundant and beautiful. During COVID-19, as ecosystems suffered, she wanted to do more for the world that she has always admired. She has studied synthetic biology, environmental science, and clean technology (AI specifically). She has created posts on Substack, participated in organizations, and wrote short stories. She has always loved writing about the nature around her and potential possibilities of a greener Earth.

PRESIDENT OF TUNISIA CHAPTER

Razen Naoui is a senior at Gabès's Pioneer High School, Tunisia. She's passionate about technology, STEM, human rights, and the environment. Since early childhood she dreamt of creating a world where human comfort does not come at the cost of Mother Earth. She thinks technology was never the issues and innovation doesn't have to mean destruction or pollution, but it's our perspective and priorities that make the difference. Seeing her city suffer from environmental issues and biodiversity threats, Razen decided she wants to do something to educate the community and take action. She loves all kinds of art from music to cinema, so she dedicates a lot of her time painting, singing and crafting.

VICE PRESIDENT OF TUNISIA CHAPTER

Mustapha Amine Kraiem is a sophomore at Gabes's Pioneer High School in Tunisia, with a deep passion for astrophysics, human rights, and the natural world,especially the mysteries of marine life. Growing up near the Gulf of Gabes, he has witnessed firsthand the alarming environmental decline in the region. This critical situation has inspired him to take action. He is also passionate about the arts, enjoys playing music, and loves learning about the wonders of the universe.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION — TUNISIA

Mayssem Ghanney is a sophomore at Pioneer High School in Gabes, Tunisia. She’s into science, education, and taking on roles that let her connect with people in real ways. She joined Project ARISE because caring for the environment isn’t just an idea, it’s something we all share, and even small actions can make a difference. When she’s off projects, you’ll find her cooking up something new, watching movies, blasting music, digging in the garden, or adding to her ever-growing tote bag collection.

PRESIDENT OF CAMEROON CHAPTER

Ngoran Awiyii Blaise is an environmental advocate and community leader dedicated to promoting sustainability and youth engagement in Cameroon. As the Founder & Executive Director of Eco Friends Cameroon, he leads programs focused on plastic waste reduction, environmental education, and coastal cleanups — especially in the Limbe area. Through local and international partnerships, Blaise works to raise awareness, inspire action, and support community-driven solutions for a cleaner, greener future.

VICE PRESIDENT OF CAMEROON CHAPTER

Ekuri is an environmental educator from Cameroon who uses educational media such as art, workshops, film, and outdoor education programs to promote sustainability literacy among young people in Cameroon. His journey began in 2018 when his teacher challenged the class to take action against plastic pollution along Cameroon’s west coast. Ekuri began volunteering at beach cleanups and tree-planting initiatives to protect water catchments. He later realized that education was the most effective way to engage young people, inspire action, and create a connection with nature. In his free time, he enjoys traveling to the west coast and reading about geopolitics. Ekuri is optimistic about the future of our planet, given the growing number of young people taking action and making waves.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION — CAMEROON

Chu Benjamin Chi is a dedicated postgraduate researcher in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Buea. Born in Esu Fongum, Menchum Division of Cameroon’s Northwest Region, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation. His research focuses on tropical ecosystem management, mangrove restoration, and pangolin conservation within Bakossi National Park. Benjamin is passionate about integrating community-based approaches into biodiversity protection and promoting sustainable environmental policies across Africa and beyond.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION — CAMEROON

Ahone Ngome Minette is passionate about environmental conservation and serves as a volunteer at Eco Friends. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication.

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Njoshu Lionel is a graduate of the University of Bamenda with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Development Studies. As Someone who likes environmental sustainability and community empowerment, I bring a strong background in outreach and public engagement to Project ARISE. I work to bridge the gap between technology and local action, helping raise awareness, inspire participation, and support the mission of restoring biodiversity through innovation and education.