Abrar believes in the leader in every student, which is why her campaign prominently integrated a group of high school interns in our campaign staff operations. They worked with our staff to accomplish many tasks vital to the campaign’s operations.
Brian Park
I am a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and I participate in Model UN, Debate, Mock Trial, and run a summer debate camp. In my free time, however, I enjoy just kicking back and watching Netflix as well as keeping up to date on politics and international affairs. These things fostered an interest in local politics and so oddly enough I found Abrar on Facebook and reached out to her via email, telling her that I wanted to help out. I didn’t know what to expect but based on her website I knew that she wanted to get students involved so I showed up to a meeting and it took off from there. Since then I’ve given speeches in front of important local politicians such as Atif Qarni, Virginia Secretary of Education, and Sharon Bulova, Chairman of Board of Supervisors. Through Abrar’s campaign, I’ve truly developed a passion for making progressive changes in our community.
Katie Monacella
Hello! My name is Katie Monacella and I’m a junior at James Madison High School. I met Abrar at the kickoff for the Electric School Bus Campaign and really loved how conscious she was about climate change, as that is the most important issue for me. In fact, Abrar is the only school board candidate to have signed on to the Virginia Green New Deal. Since getting involved with Abrar, I’ve helped contact the press to get her story out and supported her at other events such as Back to School Nights and debates. It’s taught me so much more about our school board and how much work goes into a campaign. Outside of interning for Abrar, I love to ski and play the bass guitar, and I am a climate activist.
Trisha Rahman
Hi! My name is Trisha Rahman and I am a junior at South Lakes High School. I learned about Abrar’s campaign through GIVE, a non-profit organization she started, where I am now a center manager. I have represented Abrar at political events, given speeches, written policy canvassed, and phone banked. I love being able to advocate for issues I am passionate about, like climate change. Earlier this year, I spoke to the school board about the proposed environmental sustainability policy reform in our schools. Much of my free time is spent on running my jewelry business, being in charge of and participating in school clubs and honor societies, as well as volunteering at various organizations. Through Abrar’s campaign, I have learned so much about politics, campaigning, and advocating for issues I believe in. I love being able to make a difference in my county and community.
Dean Barazi
Hi! My name is Dean Barazi and I’m a sophomore at BASIS Independent Mclean. I participate in Model UN, Boy Scouts, and play soccer in my spare time. I also am the president and founder of my school’s Muslim Student Association. I met Abrar at an event she was doing for a local mosque, and since then I’ve learned so much about the importance of voting, and how big of an effect the school board actually has. Through this campaign I have gained a big passion for the inner workings of politics and truly respect each politician for the amount of work everything in government requires.
Vishakh Subramanian
Hi! I am a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, hiking, and keeping up with political affairs. I found Abrar through canvassing with a friend of mine, and I just happened to love it. Since then, I've been helping out with phone-banking and putting up lawn signs around Fairfax County. Through my experience on Abrar’s campaign, I've been able to shadow her at events and learn more about the community. I have learned how to contribute to my community and learn a lot about local politics along the way.
Linda Wu
Hey everyone! I’m a senior at W.T. Woodson High School. Most of my time is spent working on my startup, tutoring my peers through several honor societies or younger kids through my part-time job, running a couple of clubs at school, or serving as an officer for the Northern Virginia Technology Student Association. In my free time, I love reading a good book--fiction or nonfiction. A fun fact about me is that last summer, I was able to participate in a jungle conservation project in the Amazon Rainforest. This has only intensified my interest in environmental sustainability. As an intern for Abrar, I have learned how to advocate for sustainable policy. I even helped organize a lobbying effort for a plastic straw limitation in our schools which has since been adopted by the board. I first found out about Abrar from the directors at GIVE, a nonprofit she helped to co-found that aims to close the equity gap in education. Through my experience on her campaign, I have discovered the impact that I can create in my community.
Sahiti Jammulamadaka
Hi! My name is Sahithi and I am currently a junior at Oakton Highschool. I enjoy reading, playing the violin and doing work for my school newspaper. I found Abrar when one of my neighbors introduced me to her and I was really interested in the work she was doing so I decided to join her campaign. I have had an amazing time thus far and have really learned a lot from her. I have gotten much better at speaking and writing and truly enjoy the work that I do.
Haatim Athar
Hi! My name is Haatim and I am in my junior year of high school. In my spare time, I run my own graphic design business and keep up with political and foreign policy-related headlines. I found out more about Abrar at her kickoff party in February 2019, where I found that she was a dynamic and accessible candidate with a great platform surrounding her. Since then, it has been an amazing experience, as I got to help out with the endorsement phase of the election. Currently, I have been helping the campaign by helping with some of the campaign's graphic design and website tasks. Through my experience on Abrar’s campaign, I have gained a lot of knowledge about the political process, learned about the policy and issues covered by Abrar's platform, and have met many new people.
Makda Dejene
Hi! My name is Makda and I am a sophomore at Justice High School. A large amount of my time is spent running a club at school and tutoring students through the center that I manage and several honor societies that I am part of. My hobbies include reading a good book and baking. As a center manager for GIVE, which Abrar founded, I learned about Abrar’s campaign and was immediately interested. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to help bring and implement new ideas to Abrar’s social media. I have also helped with countless projects throughout the campaign that have given me an in-depth perspective of our community. Through Abrar’s campaign, I have developed public speaking skills, learned about political processes, and made a difference in the issues that matter to me.
Kiana Khodadad
Hi, my name is Kiana Khodadad and I am a junior attending Falls Church High School, located in Falls Church, Virginia. Although many activities peak my interest, my favorite ventures include reading, writing, acting, and playing the violin. I am also heavily involved in my school’s Young Democrats club, I am an active member of the National Honors Society, I have partaken in orchestra for the past seven years, and I am currently in the process of founding the Middle Eastern North African Student Association at Falls Church High School. I was presented with the opportunity to contribute to Abrar’s campaign when I witnessed her give a moving speech during a modest rally held in my neighborhood. My inspiration, which occurred as a result of Abrar’s words, prompted me to formally introduce myself, and offer my services. Proceeding our initial encounter, I have had the opportunity to manage projects within the campaign, shadow Abrar at a multitude of events, as well as complete tasks for the campaign which aligned with my personal interests. Interning for this campaign has proved to be a very insightful opportunity which I plan on applying to other areas in my life, as the experience has encompassed many practical skills. Throughout my time on the Abrar Omeish campaign, I have learned many beneficial skills which have the power to assist me in a multitude of ways. I have mastered team work, accountability, and the importance of equality and inclusion. This experience has truly embodied the foundation of the campaign, finding “The leader within every child”.
