Student Spotlight: TYWLS Astoria is Producing Stars
(From left to right) Amena M., Chamely U., Takiba T., and Evellyn P.
Four extraordinary students from The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Astoria are proving that dedication, passion, and purpose can take you anywhere. From groundbreaking research to spoken word performances at the Guggenheim, these students are redefining what it means to be changemakers in their communities, and they’re just getting started.
Amena M.: The Global Creative
From Egypt to Queens to Northampton, Massachusetts, Amena’s journey is one of resilience, curiosity, and creativity.
For many of our students, the path to college is filled with uncertainty, but through the CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) program, Amena never had to navigate it alone. This comprehensive, year-round college guidance program is woven into the fabric of our TYWLS schools, cultivating a college-going culture from as early as sixth grade.
Amena M.
After visiting the college campus for the very first time through a CBI organized tour, she fell in love with Smith College and will proudly walk through the doors this fall as an incoming QuestBridge Scholar.
Amena’s ambitions extend far beyond the classroom. Last summer, she interned at The New York Historical, where she led a team in creating an interactive website called The Chart of American Freedom, an educational resource designed to make history accessible and engaging for all learners.
And, her curiosity doesn’t stop there. When she’s not designing digital experiences, you might find Amena sketching in her notebook or exploring her recently discovered passion for embroidery through the Fiber Arts program at TYWLS Astoria, a course that introduces students to a range of traditional techniques, including weaving, sewing, silk painting, and batik.
As for what excites her most about Smith? “Having control of my schedule this fall’, the freedom to design her own path, entirely on her own terms.
Chamely U.: The Multilingual Medical Advocate
Chamely U.
This fall, Chamely heads to Barnard College with her sights set on a double major in Neuroscience and Medical Anthropology, a powerful combination that reflects her commitment to understanding both the science and humanity of healthcare.
A fluent speaker of five languages (Bengali, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, and English), Chamely has already built an impressive portfolio of impact.
Last summer, through the Ya-Ya Network, she tackled one of New York’s most pressing social justice issues, working on a project focused on racial profiling in public housing. The year before, she conducted sickle cell research at Weill Cornell.
But her work doesn’t stop at research labs. As a leader in the Health Information Project (HIP) at TYWLS Astoria, she teaches 9th graders about mental health and wellness, breaking down stigma and building resilience in the next generation. She also leads workshops on civic engagement and currently works at CleanFuture, a company dedicated to creating sustainable cleaning solutions that protect both people and the planet.
Chamely doesn’t just dream of change, she’s already making it happen, one conversation, one workshop, one research project at a time.
Evellyn P.: The Poet Heading to the Heights
When Evellyn visited Boston College and met with their admissions representative in person, she knew she’d found her home. This fall, she’ll be heading to the Heights (a nickname for Boston College) as a political science major, ready to channel her voice into advocacy and policy.
And what a voice it is. Evellyn is a spoken word artist who has graced the stage at the Guggenheim Museum multiple times, transforming personal narratives into powerful performances that move audiences.
Evellyn P.
Her art isn’t just expression, it’s activism, community-building, and truth-telling wrapped into one.
Beyond the stage, she teaches faith-based classes. She’s excited to experience residential life at Boston College and has set one of many goals: learning more about hockey. Because for Evellyn, college is about pushing boundaries, whether on the page, on the stage, or on the ice.
Takiba T.: The Quantum Coder
Takiba T.
Columbia University won Takiba’s heart the same way it won many students’, through its incredible community, a combination of its richly diverse student body from around the world and hundreds of student organizations.
After spending last summer there conducting research in quantum science, she knew she’d found her home away from home.
This fall, she’ll begin her studies as a Computer Science major, drawn particularly to the design aspects of coding.
In her downtime, she’s a devoted fan of dystopian thrillers and strategic dramas, counting Maze Runner, Hunger Games, and The Queen’s Gambit among her favorites.
Takiba sees college as an opportunity to stretch beyond the familiar. “Brown families are very close and tight-knit, so I am excited to explore residential life and push myself outside of my comfort zone.”
These four students represent some of the best of TYWLS Astoria: bold, compassionate, and ready to change the world. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.
