The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has selected 58 high school students from across the state for its 13th annual Teen Leaders class.
The students selected will visit OMRF monthly throughout the upcoming school year to meet with philanthropic leaders from Oklahoma City and the surrounding area. They also will spend time in OMRF’s labs, learn about how nonprofit organizations function, and develop an understanding of the impact charitable giving makes on a community.
Among those in the 2025-26 class are seven returning students from last year’s class who will function as an advisory council.
Applicants are limited to Oklahoma high school students. Each must submit a written application and a letter of reference to qualify and then participate in an interview process.
The teens will work on team-building and fundraising projects tailored to teach the basics of philanthropy, development, networking, fundraising and board service.
Previous classes have also worked together to create, organize and operate community-wide events and trivia nights to raise money for disease research at OMRF.
“We are thrilled that Teen Leaders continues to grow and equip driven young students with outreach and leadership skills,” said Katherine Jackson, OMRF’s assistant director of donor relations. “As we’ve confirmed through past Teen Leaders, this first-hand experience will give these students the knowledge and tools they need to confidently go out and make an impact in their communities.”
By high school, the 2025-26 Teen Leaders are:
- Bishop McGuinness: Paige Ihrig, Gabby Kunnath, Kinley Randolph
- Calumet: Bella Dean
- Casady School: Nathan Lee, Lauren Kim
- Classen School of Advanced Studies: Uma Geng
- Crossings: Esther Vasantha
- Deer Creek: Kirthika Duggisetty, Jordan Kuruvilla, Hannah Labus, Nadhi Rajendrakumar, Sanya Suraj
- Dove Science Academy: Jana Aborahma, Fatima Rangel-Villanueva, Promise Rogers
- Edmond Memorial: Fathiyah Ayodele, Marissa Bruner, Tabina Chowdhury, Kennedy Day, Haley Grawunder
- Edmond North: Sanji Gopalakrishnan, Claire Kregger, Sophia Long
- Edmond Santa Fe: Jonathan Alakara, Akshaj Dalavayi, Nick Kirkes, Pari Mattewada
- Fargo-Gage: Livya Steenbergen Young
- Grove: Jessi Johnson
- Heritage Hall: Luke Dillon, Adam Hamadeh, Hunter Trudgeon
- Mercy School Institute: Ahmad Akour, Ahmad Altaf, Jana Jawhari, Ali Mehdi, Wafaa Rouf
- Moore Norman Technology Center/Homeschool: Selah Lee
- Mount Saint Mary: Talayne Thompson
- Mustang: Lanie Selby, Lam Thai
- Norman North: Anya Ramineedi
- Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics: Christina Dang, Eunice Kim
- Putnam City North High School: Ava Tu
- Southmoore High School: Aubrey Conley, Mira Patel
- Stillwater High School: Ally Aguilar, Aiden Kim
- Western Heights High School: Anh Ho
Advisory council members are:
- Casady School: Haya Zubair
- Classen School of Advanced Science and Math: Sreekar Vajjha
- Edmond North: Paisley Little
- Edmond Santa Fe: Ilakiya Raghavendiran
- Heritage Hall: Henry Winland
- Norman North: Victoria Sun
- Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics: Alex Yoon
