YEP Members
Young Engaged in Philanthropy members learn to assess community needs, implement a granting cycle, evaluate grant proposals and hone communication and decision-making skills while developing teamwork and leadership qualities. Click on the cohort classes below for member information.
Josie Adelman - Senior at Central Catholic High School
"I am currently involved in golf, cheer, choir, National Honor Society, Interact Club, HOSA, and the House System at my school. Outside of school, I enjoy hanging out with friends, going to concerts, driving around town while listening to music, and spending time outdoors. This is my fourth year in YEP, and it has helped me grow as a leader, improve my public speaking skills, and develop a better understanding of philanthropy. I plan to attend college next year and major in nursing, with the goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)."
Loella Aurora - Senior at University High School
"This will be my 3rd year in YEP. Outside of YEP, I am involved in my school in Girls Soccer, National Honor Society and different clubs. I am so grateful for the opportunities and skills I have learned in YEP and being able to be a part of my community."
Sidak Bindra - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Hana Blessing - Sophomore at University High School
"I am a student with passions for leadership and service. I love to read and learn about great ideas and how to apply those to the modern world. I have done service work within town and out of the country to fulfill my passion of service led by my faith. Within my school I am involved in scholastic bowl and play piano and violin for musical ensembles throughout town. Through YEP I hope to continue to support the community and give back to those in need!"
Soumya Boyina - Senior at University High School
"Outside of school, I am part of robotics, karate, speech and debate, FBLA, Student Senate, and more. This will be my fourth year in YEP and I’m super excited to continue this journey with them. Being part of this organization has helped me become a better leader, be more involved in my community, and learn all about philanthropy. This club nominated me for the YICU Service Award and I was able to donate $250 to my community because of their nomination."
Ellie Chapman - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
"I am a hardworking individual who strives for success both inside and outside of the classroom. I am passionate about music and sports, and I do orchestra, choir, soccer, and cross country at my school. I love being a part of YEP because I love being involved in my community and I care deeply about the people in it."
George Cole - Sophomore at Central Catholic High School
"Outside of school I swim, work as a lifeguard, and play soccer. I am also an Honor Student. I like to swim, hang out with friends, as well as watch sports. I am also a sophomore student leader within my house system at my high school."
Rajeeth Ganesan - Senior at Normal Community High School
"I am from an immigrant family and have seen what support can do to help someone's life. I also partake in a lot of musical activities. These include playing the piano and violin, singing, and also composing new musical pieces. A dream I have is that I would like to help create a world where people of any background are given the tools and capabilities that allow them to become free in their existence."
Siya Jagani - Sophomore at University High School
Ishaan Jha - Senior at Normal Community High School
"At NCHS, I am involved in clubs including Mock Trial and esports, in which we have won competitions recently. I am also one of the co-presidents of Model UN, and I'm the president of the Peer Tutoring program. I am part of National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Outside of school, I like to swim, and I work as a lifeguard during the summer. I also intern at the Julia Davis Law Firm where I am learning about what a career in law looks like."
Taylor Jordan - Junior at Cornerstone Christian Academy
A recipient of the 2025 YICU Service Award, Taylor has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, service, and making a positive impact in her community. She has participated in a variety of leadership opportunities, including serving on the 2025–2026 Cohort Team and the Youth Action Board. Through these experiences, she has developed her leadership skills while working alongside others to serve and strengthen her community. Taylor also demonstrates leadership through her school’s cheer team. Beyond being a team member, she has taken initiative by helping lead cheer camps at her school and creating her own dance routines. Her commitment to service extends beyond school. Taylor volunteered with Jump 4 Joy, where she led a jump-rope dance for campers throughout the entire week. She also enjoys serving at her church, where she volunteers with children ages 3–5.
Disha Karthik - Senior at University High School
"I have been a part of YEP for the last three years. I joined because it allowed me to help youth in our area. In school, I am a part of tennis, speech, and student senate. Outside of school, I also do dance, research, and volunteer at Carle Bromenn."
Italy Magallanes - Senior at University High School
"I am a part of the cheer team as well and have been doing it for 4 years now. I have learned to be a leader to my teammates and help others during athletic activities.This will be my 2nd year at YEP and I am super excited to be continuing to learn more and grow with the organization. YEP has helped me be more involved in the community and helped me gain skills too."
Zuzu O’Donoghue - Senior at Central Catholic High School
"This is my fourth year in YEP! I am incredibly passionate about helping out in the community in any way possible. In school, I am involved in art, theater, choir, National Honor Society, and cheerleading. Outside of school, I am training to become a pro-wrestler and enjoy attending pro-wrestling shows. I love spending time with my friends, creating various forms of art, and going to concerts."
Eesha Sareddy - Senior at Normal Community High School
"This is my fourth year in YEP, which has helped me grow as a leader and become more confident working with others. I’m an outgoing person who enjoys staying busy and involved. At school, I participate in FBLA, Key Club, Speech, and Senior Class Board. Outside of school, I love spending time with my friends and baking."
Jonathan Schuller - Senior at Normal Community High School
"I have played the violin for eleven years, and have been involved in the local classical music scene through Wesleyan music programs. More recently I have begun to branch out and get involved in the E-sports competitive scene, mock trial, and contemporary forms of music. As I have begun to get involved in more activities I have been able to see more sides of Bloomington Normal, and meet different kinds of people with different interests."
Ishaan Shukla - Sophomore at University High School
"I am a motivated student, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I have built a strong foundation in animal care and plant maintenance through my roles as an Advanced Junior Zookeeper and Horticulture Technician at Miller Park Zoo. I am dedicated to my community leadership. I facilitate STEM activities for children at the Children's Discovery Museum and serve at the Technology Chair for the local NAACP Youth Council. Alongside my volunteer commitments. I am an award winning student who actively competes on my school's athletic and scholastic bowl teams."
Mohisha Suguna Tamilarasan - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Ryan Tamm - Senior at Normal Community High School
Kylie Zimmerman - Senior at Normal West High School
"I have been a member of YEP for 2 years. Outside of YEP, I am involved in my school and community through my leadership positions in student council, YEP, and the Normal Rotary. I enjoy running and spending time out in nature with friends and family. I also love to crochet and scrapbook in my free time! I look forward to continuing to make a difference through YEP and our mission."
Josie Adelman - Junior at Central Catholic High School
Loella Aurora - Junior at University High School
Sidak Bindra - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Soumya Boyina - Junior at University High School
Elise (Ellie) Chapman - Freshman at Normal Community High School
George Cole - Freshman at Central Catholic High School
Cory Gaff - Junior at Normal West High School
Rajeeth Ganesan - Junior at Normal Community High School
Ishaan Jha - Junior at Normal Community High School
Taylor Jordan - Sophomore at homeschooling
Disha Karthik - Sophomore at University High School
Italy Magallanes - Junior at Central Catholic High School
Gio Magallanes - Freshman at University High School
Zuzu O'Donoghue - Junior at Central Catholic High School
Eesha Sareddy - Junior at Normal Community High School
Ishaan Shukla - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Ryan Tamm - Junior at Normal Community High School
Kylie Zimmerman - Junior at Normal West High School
Josie Adelman - Sophomore at Central Catholic High School
Loella Aurora - Sophomore at University High School
Pranav Bhookya - Junior at Normal Community High School
Soumya Boyina - Sophomore at University High School
Raine Fung - Senior at University High School
Ishaan Jha - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Disha Karthik - Sophomore at University High School
Sushma Kota - Junior at Normal Community High School
Zuzu O’Donoghue - Sophomore at Central Catholic High School
Eesha Sareddy - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Ryan Tamm - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Jiya Vyas - Sophomore at University High School
Angel Yin -Senior at University High School
Josie Adelman - Freshman at Central Catholic High School
Soumya Boyina - Freshman at University High School
Kanishka Chauhan - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Amy Dederich - Junior at Olympia High School
Raine Fung - Junior at University High School
Tess Halperin - Senior at Bloomington High School
Ishaan Jha - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Pearl McDade - Senior at University High School
Blake Meyer - Senior at Normal Community High School
Yajath Narra - Senior at University High School
Zuzu O'Donoghue - Freshman at Central Catholic High School
Zoe Przybylski - Senior at University High School
Mariana Sanchez - Senior at University High School
Eesha Sareddy - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Jiya Vyas - Freshman at University High School
Satvika Boyina - Senior at University High School
Pranavi Chaganti - Senior at Normal Community High School
Shrikar Chennuru - Senior at Normal Community High School
Amy Dederich - Junior at Olympia High School
Raine Fung - Sophomore at University High School
Khushi Galpalli - Senior at Bloomington High School
Erin Kim - Junior at University High School
Lili Leatherman - Senior at University High School
Emma Livingston - Senior at University High School
Blake Meyer - Junior at Normal Community High School
Yajath Narra - Junior at University High School
Emma Rink - Senior at Normal West High School
Ronit Rout - Senior at University High School
Richa Shukla - Junior at University High School
Juliana Turner - Senior at Normal West High School
Satvika Boyina - Junior at University High School
Kira Brown - Sophomore at University High School
Delaney Fitzgerald - Senior at University High School
Raine Fung - Freshman at University High School
Khushi Galpalli - Junior at Bloomington High School
Elia Guerra - Freshmen at Normal Community High School
Lili Leatherman - Junior at University High School
Yajath Narra - Sophomore at University High School
Richa Shukla - Sophomore at University High School
Devan Bishop - Senior at Normal Community High School
Andrew Briggs - Senior at Normal Community High School
Rylee Camp - Senior at University High School
Somya Jha - Junior at Normal Community High School
Jasmyn Jordan - Senior at Normal Community West High School
Blake Meyer - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Parker Meyer - Senior at Normal Community High School
Joelle Olabode - Senior at Cornerstone Christian Academy
Camryn Reschke - Senior at Normal Community West High School
Brenna Schwamberger - Junior at Normal Community High School
Mahnoor Shaheen - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Reagan Spaid - Senior at Normal Community High School
Aashish Thakur - Senior at Normal Community High School
Devan Bishop - Junior at Normal Community High School
Clare Blaney - Senior at Central Catholic High School
Andrew Briggs - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Grant Buelow - Senior at Normal Community High School
Aubri Carlton - Junior at Normal Community West High School
Rylee Camp - Junior at University High School
Kyle Correll - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Griffin Halperin - Senior at Bloomington High School
Somya Jha - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Jasmyn Jordan - Junior at Normal Community West High School
Parker Meyer - Junior at Normal Community High School
Roshan Prakash - Senior at Normal Community High School
Camryn Reschke - Junior at Normal Community West High School
Brenna Schwamberger - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Mahnoor Shaheen - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Reagan Spaid - Junior at Normal Community High School
Ellie Stephan - Junior at Normal Community High School
Aashish Thakur - Junior at Normal Community High School
Brian Whetsell - Senior at Normal Community High School
Divya Bhookya - Junior at Normal Community High School
Grant Buelow - Junior at Normal Community High School
Abby Calhoun - Senior at Normal West High School
Griffin Halperin - Junior at Bloomington High School
Jasmyn Jordan - Sophomore at Normal Community West High School
Calis Lim - Senior at University High School
Claire Meyer - Senior at Normal Community High School
Parker Meyer - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Maddison Murphy - Senior at University High School
Roshan Prakash - Junior at Normal Community High School
Elizabeth Raycraft - Junior at University High School
Mason Runkel - Senior at University High School
Ayushi Shah - Senior at Normal Community High School
Muskan Shah - Senior at Normal Community High School
Jake Simonson - Senior at Normal Community High School
Reagan Spaid - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Kavya Sudhir - Senior at Normal Community High School
Brian Whetsell - Junior at Normal Community High School
Emma Winterland - Junior at Cornerstone Christian Academy
Justin Bean - Tri-Valley High School
Divya Bhookya - Normal Community High School
Claire Crabill - Normal Community High School
Jade Fung - University High School
Grace Gauley - Bloomington High School
Thriambak Giriprakash - Normal Community High School
Vivian Hedican - El Paso/Gridley High School
Jasmyn Jordan - Normal West High School
Sarah Leddick - Normal Community High School
Calis Lim - University High School
Claire Meyer - Normal Community High School
Parker Meyer - Normal Community High School
Maddison Murphy - University High School
Abbey Nettleton - Bloomington High School
Cheyenne Petersen - University High School
Roshan Prakash - Normal Community High School
Anaiah Simmons - Normal Community High School
Ayushi Shah - Normal Community High School
Muskan Shah - Normal Community High School
Jake Simonson - Normal Community High School
Kellie Stempinski - University High School
Kavya Sudhir - Normal Community High School
Emma Watson - University High School
Brian Whetsell - Normal Community High School
Kaylee Birlingmair - Senior at University High School
Lauryn Cross - Junior at Central Catholic High School
Alexandra Eisenreich - Freshman at University High School
Grace Gauley - Sophomore at Bloomington High School
Thriambak Giriprakash - Junior at Normal Community High School
James Han - Sophomore at University High School
Elissa Howard - Freshman at Tri-Valley High School
Evan Irwin - Sophomore at Normal West High School
Rohan Kamatar - Junior at University High School
Shrijani Kongara - Junior at Normal Community High School
Sarah Leddick - Junior at Normal Community High School
Taylor Lindsey - Senior at University High School
Sarah Martin - Junior at Central Catholic High School
Claire Meyer - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Maddison Murphy - Sophomore at University High School
Isaac Ogunleye - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Cheyenne Petersen - Junior at University High School
Caroline Pickering - Junior at University High School
Roshan Prakash - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Bhavana Ravala - Junior at Normal Community High School
Annie Rink - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Ayushi Shah - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Muskan Shah - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Anaiah Simmons - Junior at Normal Community High School
Kavya Sudhir - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Justin Bean - Sophomore at Tri-Valley High School
Kaylee Birlingmair - Junior at University High School
Cayla Clauss - Sophomore at Normal West High School
Isabel C. Dawson - Senior at University High School
Patrick Deneen - Senior at University High School
Zach Hall - Senior at Normal West High School
Lexi Jordan - Sophomore at Central Catholic High School
Sarah Leddick - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Taylor Lindsey - Junior at University High School
Alyssa Licudine - Junior at Normal Community High School
Claire Meyer - Freshman at Normal Community High School
Kylie Personette - Senior at University High School
Caroline Pickering - Sophomore at University High School
Christian Prenzler - Senior at University High School
Julia Ridgway - Sophomore at Normal Community High School
Ceil Steinbacher-Kemp - Senior at Normal West High School
Justin Bean
Radiance Campbell
Haley Carter
Colleen Connelly
Kylie Cottone
Isabel Dawson
Sarah Filosa
Viraat Goel
Zach Hall
Jade Hassebrock
CeCe Hill
Eli Hill
Kayla Huynh
Sarah Leddick
Taylor Lindsey
Bronzi Owens
Day Owens
Kylie Personette
Christian Prenzler
Meghan Schenk
Tanvi Singh
Ceil Steinbacher-Kemp
Maddy To
Heather Arnold
Justin Bean
Caitlin Boyle
Kylie Cottone
Isabel Dawson
Anushka Desai
Sarah Filosa
Ashlyn Gramm
Reid Gramm
Megan Helms
CeCe Hill
Eli Hill
Bergen Jome
Nitesh Kumar
Morgan Lemmel
Phillip Quinn
Eric Reichelt
Ashka Shah
Tanvi Singh
Ceil Steinbacher-Kemp
Maddy To
Lucy Williamson
Lauren Wombles