STUDENT LEADERSHIP BOARD
Thirst Project’s ‘Student Leadership Board’ is composed of Student Leaders from across the United States that have shown promise in leadership, unwavering willingness to help their fellow students, and a firm dedication to saving lives from water poverty – so much so that we even gave them the power to build out this page! They come together to achieve one holistic goal: to increase world-wide fundraising for clean water projects through personalized assistance to clubs, creative collaboration, and strengthened connection between membership and leadership. Use the email at the bottom of the page to reach out directly to any of us with any questions or ideas!
COLIN
I’m Colin, an incoming High School Senior in Ohio and a leading advocate for ending the world water crisis–the most fundamental humanitarian problem our society faces. I love planning innovative fundraisers and teaching other students about water poverty–and most importantly–how they have the power to resolve it. In my free time I enjoy spending time curating my garden, taking long walks near Lake Erie, and reading dystopian literature. Let’s work together to give more communities clean water for life!
Contact me if:
- You have questions about the Student Leadership Board.
- You would like to learn about how to restart your Thirst Project Club/Key Club.
- You just want to connect!
ELLA
Hi! I’m Ella, and I’m a High School Junior in North Carolina. I’ve been passionate about the Thirst Project since freshman year, when I learned about the water crisis through Key Club. Since then, I’ve established my school’s first Thirst Project Club that has spread awareness about the water crisis and has raised enough money to build our very first well! In my free time, you can find me at swim practice, playing piano, and reading all sorts of books. Additionally, I post harmonica videos on my Instagram page as a fundraising effort! I’m extremely excited for this year on the Student Leadership Board, and I encourage all who are interested in starting a club or fundraiser of their own to put themselves out there, because you can save lives.
Contact me if:
- You’re wondering how to start your own Thirst Project Club at your school.
- You need awareness campaign ideas.
- You want to share a totally sick video of your harmonica playing.
ABBY
Hello! I’m Abby, a High School Senior in Southern Illinois where I love playing tennis and lacrosse, and participating in many clubs including Key Club, FCA, and French Club. In my free time I love thrifting, hanging out with my friends, and trying new fun drinks. I’m passionate about the Thirst Project because access to clean water changes lives – from keeping kids in school to empowering entire communities. I can’t wait to collaborate with driven student leaders to mobilize our communities and build a future where no one has to walk miles for water.
Contact me if:
- You want to turn passion into action.
- You want to learn how to tell a story with your events.
JULIA
Hi! My name is Julia and I am a High School Junior in Southern California. I have been working with the Thirst Project for five years now–since my best friend’s older sister introduced me to the charity. Now, I am the president of the Thirst Project at my High School. So far as a club we have raised over $47,000 and funded three wells! In my free time, I love to go to the beach, play soccer, and surf. I am so grateful to be on the Student Board this year and I hope I can help others find ways to work with The Thirst Project in their own unique way.
Contact me if:
- You need any fundraising ideas, especially planning fundraising events.
- You have any questions about leading a club/running events.
ART
Hi! I’m Art, a High School Junior in Arizona. I currently serve as an International Trustee for Key Club, representing 6 states across the country, and I also sit on the state’s youth commission. Water poverty is one of those problems where the solution already exists, it just takes people willing to act upon it, which is exactly why I am part of this board. I am so grateful to be on the Student Leadership Board as it’s a new opportunity to help educate and guide students about this impactful cause. In my free time, I like to go on walks, play golf, read narrative nonfiction, and volunteer.
Contact me if:
- You need/want support on new fundraising ideas.
- You have new membership recruitment ideas.
- You would like to connect about anything.
ADDISON
Hello! My name is Addison, and I am a High School Senior. I have been involved with the Thirst Project Board at my High School for the past few years and currently serve as a Co-President. Providing people with the basic human right of access to clean water is something I am incredibly passionate about, and I am so excited for the opportunity to be involved with the Thirst Project on a broader scale. Last year, our club exceeded our fundraising goal and raised over $12,000, enough to provide a community with a well, access to clean drinking water, and then some. Seeing the impact that our efforts have had has only strengthened my passion for this cause and inspired me to continue working to make a difference.
Contact me if:
- You’d like to learn more about my fundraisers.
- You have fundraising ideas.
- You need help coming up with fundraiser ideas.
NATALIE
Hi! I’m Natalie, an incoming High School Senior in Wisconsin and the Secretary for my school’s Key Club. I am super dedicated to service and the Thirst Project! Over my time in Key Club, I’ve given 600+ hours of service and helped our school raise enough money for two clean water wells. We are aiming to raise enough money to build three this school year! I am very good at coming up with creative ways to fundraise for Thirst Project. In my free time, you can find me performing on my school’s dance team, working at my local Boys & Girls Club, or doing creative projects like scrapbooking, ceramics, and painting.
Contact me if:
- You need some new creative fundraising ideas.
- Need ideas on how to get peers more involved.
- You would like to network with other Thirst Project advocates!
LIZA
Hi! I’m Liza, a High School Senior and the Co-President of Thirst Project at my High School. This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to eSwatini with Thirst Project,where I saw firsthand how access to clean water transforms lives and communities. This year, our goal is to raise $24,000 to build two new wells. I love coming up with creative new fundraising ideas and educating people about the water crisis. In my free time, you can find me singing in choir, acting in my school’s drama program, performing on my school dance team, and volunteering at The Fairytale Foundation.
Contact me if:
- You need help coming up with/planning a new fundraiser.
- You want to learn about traveling to eSwatini.
- You would like to connect with other Thirst Project clubs.
TATUM
Hi! I’m Tatum, an incoming senior at Hershey High School in Pennsylvania and am the President of my school’s Key Club. Through Thirst, I have had the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. Since joining in high school, we have fundraised enough to build six wells, two each year, and are currently working toward our seventh. Seeing the impact our efforts have on communities and helping provide access to clean water has made my involvement especially meaningful. Outside of Thirst, I enjoy playing soccer, playing basketball, and spending time with my friends and family.
Contact me if:
- You need help with brainstorming fundraising events.
- You need help involving more of your student body.
MADDIE
I’m Madison but most people call me Maddie. I’m a High School Senior in Oregon, and I have been on the Student Leadership Board for three years. I run my school’s Interact club, with Thirst we have fundraised for two wells and are working on the third. In my free time I enjoy hiking and spending time with my friends and family. I have enjoyed being a part of something bigger than myself with Thirst and being able to see the impact we have.
Contact me if:
- You need any help with fundraising.
- You want to know about small clubs and communities.
- You just want to chat!
STORY
Hi everyone! I’m Story, a senior in High School and co-president of my Thirst Club! After learning about Thirst Project on a service trip to Eswatini, Africa, my co-presidents and I didn’t wait to take action; we jumped straight in and raised money to build one well within 3 months and are coming up on completing our two-well goal for 2026! My goal in life is to make a positive impact in the largest way possible. Seeing the impact that we can make with Thirst is truly mind-blowing, and I feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of a movement that is putting the world water crisis into the history books. Outside of the Thirst Project, I am a dancer and spend lots of my time cooking, hanging out with friends, getting active, and traveling the world with my family.
Contact me if:
- You want to learn more about large scale fundraising.
- You want to improve marketing and impact strategies.
- You want to learn more about leadership management and organization.
THEA
Hi! I’m Thea, a passionate environmentalist, and my main goal is to make a positive impact in the world. I spend most of my time traveling, playing soccer, field hockey, skiing, or doing art. Also, I own an eco-friendly clothing business called Endangered Outfitters that helps save endangered species all over the world. I am a complete generalist, love learning new things, and making a positive impact where I can in the world. I first learned about Thirst Project when I had the opportunity to visit a few of their well builds in Eswatini, Africa, and this experience impacted me so personally that I had to launch my own Thirst Club. I’m so excited to work with so many student leaders this year.
Contact me if:
- You want to learn creative strategies about marketing.
- You want to know how to start your own business.
- You want to get a Thirst Club going!
JULIAN
Hi, my name is Julian, and I’m passionate about environmental issues and global affairs, so Thirst Project is a perfect fit for my interests. Through programs like Climate Crew, PAAC, and Legacy Youth Leadership, I’ve had the opportunity to explore climate advocacy. I have also been fortunate to participate in study tours to Vietnam and Eswatini, where I experienced different cultures and learned about international relations. Outside of that, I like to play basketball, and I row competitively. One of the biggest reasons I’m super passionate about Thirst Project is because I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to Eswatini and see the real-world impact that Thirst Project is making. But that opportunity also let me see all the work that still needs to be done and made me understand that I have a role in solving this issue. I’m so excited to work with Thirst Project because it gives me the opportunity work with students from many different environments, which will ultimately allow me to improve my fundraising at my home club!
Contact me if:
- You want to get in the nitty-gritty of fundraiser planning.
- You want to improve your public speaking skills.
- Focus your fundraising on the impact you will make!