- What inspired you to get involved in activism?
Serena: I have always been involved in activism. I try to stay aware of the world around me and express my opinion and voice. As a young Muslim Arab girl, it was difficult for me to transfer from an entirely diverse school to Easton Public Schools. I never used my voice, never showed who I was when I moved until I realized how valuable and powerful my voice is.
Maksymilian: What inspired me to get into activism is seeing how unaware the world around me is. I first figured out that I wanted to support people was when I went to Poland and saw how homophobic and racists they are. I told myself that I need to be a part of a change even though it doesn’t involve Poland itself. I feel like I can make an impact in the community if I spread how racially diverse we are and how each and everyone one of us is different.
- How did your identities contribute to your activism work?
Serena: As I grew older, I became more grateful for the opportunities that I have been given. Helping out my community, helping people overseas, speaking for people who might not be able to, protesting against things I don’t not agree with. I use my voice because people in my country are not able to. I use my voice to make a change and help others. My one goal in life is to positively impact every single person I come across.
Maksymilian: My Identity has helped me realize that I am not alone in this great awakening that other people see what is happening around and they too want to pitch in. But the truth is that I am still working on figuring out who I am and what I like and dislike. But that’s what makes me special because I try new things and see if I do or do not like them.
- What is your leadership philosophy?
Serena: Everyone is a leader. To me a leader is someone who is able to communicate, collaborate and correspond with everyone. It is someone who is kind and open minded. There is never one leader and everyone contributes to the group.
Maksymilian: I think that a leader should be one with the people, try to understand how they are affected, and try to learn about them. To help the people in need and support them to become better people.
- Who is someone you look up to activism wise?
Serena: I look up to anyone who is able to inspire and use their voice to create positive change. MLK, Malala, John Lewis, and so many more. Starting off small and inspiring on such a high level to make a big difference.
Maksymilian: I look up to Jameela Jamil because she talks about mental health and all these past experiences she had while growing up, and I can connect with her. She talks about body positivity and how hard that can be and how she fought with depression and so much more. But the most important thing she talks about is how to be Positive and be open to new possibilities and take all the disadvantages and turn them into advantages.
- What are you working on right now either on your own or with your club?
Serena: I am the co president of the Multicultural Club, which is a group of diverse kids who have open ended conversations and discussions about the world we live in today. We discuss different countries and cultures. This is making a positive change and teaching open minded students. I am also a part of the teen board of global smile foundation, this organization helps people all around the world with Cleft lip and Cleft palate. Which is a genetic disease but can also be from when the mother drinks or smokes while pregnant. These kids struggle everyday, academically, family wise and everyday life. They are unable to eat, drink and speak normally. They are outcasted from their villages and bullied and made fun of. This organization gives free surgery, speech therapy etc.. to these children which changes their lives and brings smiles to so many faces. I have been working with them since I was in 8 th grade. I raise money and fundraise for this amazing organization. They make such a huge impact. When I turn 18 I will be able to go on mission trips and experience first hand the impacts.
Maksymilian: Since its National Women’s Month, we are talking about powerful women all around the world and how they inspired us, and what battles they faced while growing up.