Liam Kaseburg

Liam is a high school senior in San Diego, CA, who participates in a wide array of activities and approaches every opportunity with a passion for learning new things and making a meaningful impact. At school, he serves as an Ambassador for Christ Corps, a Peer Minister, an Options Mentor, and a Math Teaching Assistant. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and the National Math Honor Society. Liam is the Captain of the Varsity Sailing Team, a four-time Varsity Letterman, and recently earned 2nd place at the CFJ National Championships. He is a dedicated member of the Leadership Council for Teen Volunteers in Action, where he serves as the Director of Philanthropy and Data Analytics. A passionate musician, Liam is part of the Vocal Academy at St. James, an a cappella choir that performs at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center—where he had the honor of serving as a soloist. In his free time, he enjoys amateur photography and can often be found with a camera in hand, searching for his next great shot.

Mia Latimer

Born in Chicago, IL, Mia moved to Bend, OR in 2021 where she lives with her parents and two sisters. She is an aerial silk performer who has entertained audiences at local festivals, in addition to competing nationally. She also serves as a teaching assistant for younger students who are learning this particular form of art. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society at her school and has been in numerous community theater productions. She also volunteers at the Family Kitchen of Bend, serving meals to the homeless. In her free time, Mia loves reading (especially fiction), babysitting, traveling, skiing (especially when the snow is perfect), singing, and listening to music of any sort. Hospitality, gratitude, and community are at the heart of her daily life and she is excited to bring that passion to the 988 Awareness Project and help expand mental health support near and far.

Adam Kildane

Native to Las Vegas, Nevada, Adam is currently a high school sophomore. Adam is involved in numerous activities on campus including JV wrestling, business club, and robotics club. Off campus, Adam is currently serving his term as the Vice President of the Assisteens which gives aid to elementary and middle school students who are below the poverty line. These include donating clothes, school supplies, shoes, and fundraisers. Adam’s parents were born and raised in Ethiopia and immigrated to the United States, making him the second generation to be in America. Outside of school, Adam enjoys activities such as legos, listening to music, programming, technology, and cooking.

Cooper Cunningham

 Cooper is actively involved in a wide range of student and civic organizations with a focus on giving back to the community. Cooper, who is from an active-duty military family, has a keen interest in mental health issues and the mind-body-health connection. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Teen Committee of Hope Means Nevada, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower teen mental wellness and reduce teen suicide in Nevada. In addition, Cooper is one of twelve nationwide members on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's "You Matter Council" and regularly contributes to their "You Matter" blog. Cooper is also a dedicated volunteer at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, and, in his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, reading, playing pickleball and basketball, and playing chess.

Payson Cunningham

Payson is a high school senior in Las Vegas, Nevada and stays involved in a wide range of activities, such as A Sense of Place, the Las Vegas Student Information Hub, Hope Means Nevada, Shine-A-Light Club (helping to feed the unhoused), Varsity Cheer, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National English Honor Society and many others. Payson, who is from an active-duty military family, has a strong commitment to community service, including supporting the mental health of teens and military veterans, and serving the underprivileged and unhoused. Payson is also one of the chairs of the Teen Hope Network of Hope Means Nevada, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower teen mental wellness and reduce teen suicide in Nevada. In addition, Payson regularly volunteers at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, and in her free time enjoys spending time with her family and friends, tumbling, hiking and learning about civil engineering, sustainability and urban design/planning. 

Grace Netski

Grace is a high school senior in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is actively involved in many activities like Science, Spanish, and Math Honors Society, Key Club, orchestra, St. Jude Leadership Society, and the STEM Academy. Grace has been working to end the stigma of mental health and end teen suicide since 2020 when she joined the mental health nonprofit Hope Means Nevada. Grace is now one of the chairs of the Hope Means Nevada Teen Hope Network where she works with teens across Nevada to improve mental health and access to mental health resources. Grace spends her free time with her family and friends and spending time outdoors.

Kristal Montout

Kristal is currently a high school senior. Involved in many extracurriculars such as swim, flag football, mock trial, teen empowerment, and multiple honor societies, Kristal is deeply connected in her school community. Outside of school Kristal plays piano in her free time using pieces she found on the internet, and she also works as a lifeguard during the summer. Kristal volunteers regularly at Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada, as she has a deep interest of helping others in need. She hopes to go to college in Southern California and to later be an attorney.

Emme Budin

Currently a high school senior in Las Vegas, Nevada, Emme has a close relationship with her grandfather, a career military officer, and appreciates veterans and what they’ve done for our country. Fueled by a passion to improve awareness in mental health, Emme is involved in her school through the Suicide Awareness and Substance Abuse (SASA) club, Shine-A-Light and the Teen Empowerment club,. She is also a student ambassador and member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. As a 6 year member of the National Charity League, she has volunteered over 120 hours at various community organizations such as Spread the Word Nevada, Del Mar Gardens Senior Center, and Catholic Charities. She has also held several board positions in her NCL class including President and VP of Philanthropy. With her high ambition to help others and a desire to assist those who feel alone in their struggles, Emme hopes to utilize her current experiences and help create a beaming future for all.

Megrit Mediana

Megrit is a high school senior in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is involved in many school activities such as AP classes, Mock Trial, Student Ambassadors, Lacrosse, and Teen Empowerment. Megrit is a Slalom Ski Racer and Ski Instructor which allows her to interact with different people and different experiences that impact her life for the better. With her heavy workload, she looks to find a balance between school life and mental health. Megrit finds importance in ensuring that everyone takes their mental health seriously and asks for help when they need it. Megrit joined the 988 Awareness Project to do just that.

Xavier Carrier

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Xavier stays active as a varsity lacrosse defenseman. As 22 percent Japanese, Xavier also has a black belt in Kempo Karate and is an aspiring team roper. He and his barrel racing quarterhorse, Jedi, are working toward his equine assisted therapy certification and the development of a unique youth leadership program aimed at addressing the complex challenge of youth mental health. In his free time, Xavier loves cooking, particularly Asian food, playing keyboard and ukelele, and listening to music (especially country, of course!). Service and hospitality have always been at the core of his personal and family values, and he looks forward to incorporating those principles into his professional pursuits one day.

Leona Chan

Leona is involved in a wide range of sports and activities, including lacrosse, Mock Trial, National Honor Society, and her Teen Empowerment Club, which she founded as a sophomore as a way to educate other students about mental health challenges. Outside of school, Leona enjoys playing the cello and trying out new pieces she finds on the internet. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with friends and family. With her ambitions to help others and desire to collaborate with her peers, Leona hopes to utilize her current experiences and help make a brighter future for all.

Hildana Hailu

Hildana is involved in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including Varsity and club track where she competes in the horizontal jumps. She is also President of the Science National Honor Society as well as President of the National English Honor Society. Hildana is a devoted member of the Assisteens organization where she is also President. There she leads a group of teenagers to provide youth with necessities such as new clothes, school supplies and shoes. In her free time Hildana enjoys watching Suites and spending quality time with her friends and family. Through The 988 Awareness Project Hildana hopes to continue her efforts to make a difference in the lives of others by sharing the number and spreading the word!

Carter Umphress

Carter is is active in several extracurricular clubs and organizations, including Mock Trial, Speech & Debate, Varsity Quiz and the National Honor Society. Fueled by a passion for community service, Carter is the founder and leader of Novel Ideas, a service project aiming to promote reading among teenagers in underserved communities. As an infant, Carter was diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a congenital and incurable speech disorder, but he has made great strides in overcoming this disorder. Carter hopes to become an attorney in the future. 

Alex McGonigal

Alex spends most of her free time reading, listening to music, or playing soccer. She is involved in the school community through the Student Ambassadors Program, high school soccer, and the SASA club or Suicide Awareness and Substance Abuse. Outside of school, Alex is a Co-Chair for the Students of the Year Ambassador Program for the Leukemia and Lymphomas Society. She also works on the Teen Committee for Hope Means Nevada. Her passion for mental health awareness and support comes from an interest in psychology. She works to do whatever she can to support those around her.

Abel Kidane

Abel is an athlete in both track and field and cross country, achieving recognition at both the national and state levels in Nevada. He holds a leadership position in the LEAP program at UCLA, an organization designed to help motivate teenagers. Abel also serves as the Treasurer for a volunteer group called the Assisteens that is dedicated to assisting underprivileged teenagers. Abel's is currently on his school's honor roll and is a member to multiple honor societies. He actively participates in various business clubs, including the Investment Club and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). In his free time, Abel enjoys playing basketball and savoring Mexican cuisine.