2021 Palm Beach County Senior Salute

On behalf of the Philanthropy Tank team, CONGRATULATIONS to all of the 2021 graduating seniors!

Jonny Beres | Emily Briceno | Sarah Clein | Jemma Currie | Brendan Detamore | Lorena Felipe Sebastian | Ben Gao | Anajiah Graham | Adin Groper | Nishah Jaferi | Rithika Kacham | Cristina Linder | Pierre Louis | Eric Mackey | Manan Mahani | Akash Muthu | I’Yunni Phillips | Tawfiq Rawnak | Noah Rubin | Alex Shnider | Gabriel Sun | Gabrielle Williams

As we send off our graduating CHANGEmakers, we look back at their experiences launching their programs!

Emily Briceno & Jemma Currie | Surface 71 – 2018 Awardee

Emily and Jemma have always had a passion for improving the environment. They both served as student ambassadors for the Dreher Park Neighborhood Association. Their experience cleaning up Dreher Park motivated the girls to create CHANGE!

In 2018, they were awarded funding for the environmental awareness program Surface 71. The name stems from the fact that 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is water.

Since its inception, Surface 71 has amassed various triumphs:

• Collected trash that was recycled and transformed into 3+ sculptures featured throughout Florida. 
• Placed 6+ water refill stations at multiple schools across PBC. 
• Advocated for environmentally friendly laws and ordinances at state and local levels.

“I feel I accomplished what I had initially set out to do, plus more! The Philanthropy Tank staff were very supportive in promoting my events and communicating opportunities for me to improve.” – Emily Briceno, 2018 Philanthropy Tank – PBC Awardee

**Emily (Left) | Marina (Middle) | Jemma (Right)

Post-graduation, Emily plans to attend Duke University and major in Environmental Studies. Jemma plans to attend San Diego State University and major in Environmental Law.

Lorena Felipe Sebastian | Mayan Girls – 2019 Awardee

When Lorena started high school, she volunteered at the Guatemalan Mayan Center as a translator for the indigenous Mayan dialect speakers in the Lake Worth area. Soon after, she applied to Philanthropy Tank, where she was awarded funding for her community impact idea, Mayan Girls.

The Mayan Girls translate important information from English and Spanish into the many indigenous Mayan dialects. Lorena has translated and published various informational videos related to COVID-19, immigration, hurricane preparedness, and Census completion.

Determined to excel, Lorena took the initiative to enlist a tutor to improve her English and test scores. Lorena credits her Philanthropy Tank experience with helping her personal and professional life.

“After improving my English, I was able to communicate better and gain confidence. Especially with my public speaking. With these skills, I was able to accomplish what I had set out to do.” – Lorena Felipe Sebastian, 2019 Philanthropy Tank – PBC Awardee

Post-graduation, Lorena plans to fulfill one year at Palm Beach State College, followed by enrollment into the US Air Force.

Anajiah Graham & I’yunni Phillips | Stand Up – Be Counted – 2020 Awardee

Anajiah & I’yunni have always had a passion for helping the Belle Glade, South Bay, and Pahokee community. In High School, both girls got involved in their community through Student Aces. In 2020, Anajiah & I’yunni were awarded funding for their community impact idea, Stand Up – Be Counted.

Stand Up – Be Counted is a student-led program that actively helped increase the 2020 Census completion rate while also promoting voter registration among the Glades Tri-City area residents.

When asked about her experience launching Stand Up – Be Counted, Anajiah had this to say:

“It was difficult to speak with community leaders. Philanthropy Tank personally helped with building my confidence in that area. It helped me establish myself in the community as a youth leader.” – Anajiah Graham, 2020 Philanthropy Tank – PBC Awardee

When I’Yunni was asked the same question, this is what she had to say:

“Being introduced to all the local leaders made me feel like a famous citizen of the tri-city area. I felt very blessed to have Philanthropy Tank’s support to give back to the community. It was a very special experience. I’ve learned and matured a lot as far as decision making. It’s been a ride.” – I’yunni Phillips, 2020 Philanthropy Tank – PBC Awardee

Post-graduation, both Anajiah and I’Yunni plan to attend FAMU in the Fall.

Tawfiq Rawnak | Boundless BioTech – 2021 Awardee

Tawfiq first came to Philanthropy Tank in 2020 with an idea meant to help those with fewer opportunities. He wanted to share his passion for coding and biomedical engineering with those less fortunate. And that’s precisely what he did!

In 2021, Tawfiq and his teammates were awarded funding to teach underprivileged students advanced, college-level, biomedical engineering courses.

When asked about his experience launching Boundless BioTech, Tawfiq had this to say:

“I appreciated the staff going the extra mile and helping paint a clearer path during the application period. The preparation workshops helped me become a better speaker at the Finals Event and in my personal life. It benefited our whole team!” – Tawfiq Rawnak, 2021 Philanthropy Tank – PBC Awardee

As Tawfiq heads off to school at Vanderbilt University to study Biomedical Engineering, he plans to stay part of the program he has built by engaging his new school and friends to become partners and mentors.

Alumni Task Force

The CHANGEmaker journey doesn’t end here for our graduating seniors! Apart from assuring their programs succeed, we want to ensure our CHANGEmakers thrive in their professional development post-high school.

Thanks in part to our sponsors, we are initiating an Alumni Task Force that will help Philanthropy Tank create meaningful change in the lives of our youth.

The Alumni Task Force will have a hand in mentoring our future CHANGEmakers while also having a voice in the development of Philanthropy Tank.

If you’d like to help us create more impact, click below to invest in our CHANGEmakers!