Samantha Sandrew
Co-President
Senior
Hi! I am Samantha Sandrew. I love to play volleyball and science. As I got older, substances were becoming more prevalent in my age group and I wanted to learn more about them in order to keep myself and my peers safe. The pandemic also strengthened my desire to join TAG because mental health was an issue many, including myself, struggled with and so I felt that TAG’s work was increasingly important.
Ayaan Olasewere
Co-Vice President
Senior
I joined TAG because I feel that they are challenges (opportunities) to be addresses, and programs to be created, to make Staples an even better place. I wanted to bring attention to issues, such as the lack of program aimed at helping the disadvantaged, or at mental health in sports, as well as having the chance to establish diversity.
Interests: I love writing and reading.
Rachel Olefson
Co-Public Relations
Senior
I joined TAG sophomore year because I think advocating for mental health awareness is super important, especially in a school like Staples. I feel it is important for everyone to know they always have a place to go if they need to talk.
Interests/activities: Outside of TAG I love to ski, play tennis, and drive around with my friends. I am the co-president of First Serve Staples and I’m also the VP of Communications for Yofi, our local BBYO chapter, as well as a web editor for Inklings.
Allison Cancro
Co-Freshman Health Presentation Coordinator
Ever since I was way too young, I experienced and have seen people around me suffer with their mental health and drown under the weight of expectations. I have seen people lose themselves to substances and suffer long term. Since elementary school I have always wanted to change this in whatever way I could. I joined TAG in order to help my peers and change the school to create an overall better environment for all students, and to bring awareness to the issues that persist throughout Staples.
Senior
Katie Fitzgerald
Co-Board Development
I joined TAG with the aim of ensuring that each one of my classmates are aware of all the available resources at Staples.It's crucial for all students to make use of these resources when facing challenges related to mental health or other personal issues.
Interests: I play both soccer and lacrosse.
Senior
Jadon Laitmon
General Board
Senior
Ryder Levine
Co-President
Senior
I joined TAG to spread awareness about issues that have affected my and my peers lives, as well as to provide resources to those who may be struggling similarly. Additionally, seeing how issues such as substance abuse and mental health have affected my peers, I want to be able to help and support those around me.
Interests: I am part of Junior
State of America, SHS Yearbook, and
much more. I also love all things music
(the picture is me at a boygenius
concert!).
Lucy Fischer
Co-Community Liasion
Senior
I wanted to help create change for students struggling with mental health issues within the Staples community. The environment can be stressful and challenging, but with help and support, it gets easier.
Interests: I play the bass in Chamber Orchestra and am a member of Tri M. I also play soccer and dance.
Addison Coughin
Co-Secretary
Senior
I joined TAG because I wanted all students to be aware of the support system accessible to them at staples, either through their peers or a support counselor. It is important that all students utilize these resources when struggling with mental health or other personal issues.
Fun fact: I go to sleepaway camp!
Ava Coyle
Senior
Being in a huge school, it can feel like no one notices your struggle. I wanted to help make a positive change, for people to feel heard and know the resources available to them.
Interests: I am a part of Inklings, I am currently the social media manager. It is one of my favorite hobbies. I really enjoy the journalism process and the collaboration aspects!
Co-Freshman Health Presentation Coordinator
Anna Petrosino
General Board
I joined TAG because substance abuse, especially among teens, has become so frequent, that it’s normalized. I also think mental health should be prioritized among highschool students which plays a dynamic into the substance abuse issues. It’s sad seeing people struggle without knowing how to help. I wanted to join TAG, so I can become knowledgeable and vocalize the resources available for those who need it. Knowing there’s a resource available for you can save your life and is something I want to be apart of.
Junior
Olivia Kuliga
General Board
Junior
Hi, I’m Olivia and I joined TAG because I am passionate about educating others about topics such as mental health and addiction.
Annam Olasewere
Co-President
Senior
I joined TAG to help teenagers and adolescents navigate through and raise awareness about impactful events and uncomfortable situations they will face as they journey through high school and beyond. I also joined so African Americans and other minority communities can feel more comfortable making informed decisions and relate more to what TAG's mission is.
Fun Fact: I am a nationally ranked competitive swimmer and I love 3D Printing!!
Grace Zhang
Co-Vice President
I wanted to give my insight on the issues like mental health and substance abuse that are important to me personally to help others who can relate.
Interests: I’m a Staples cheerleader and in my free time I love tutoring and drawing!
Senior
Lily Hultgren
Co-Community Liaison
Senior
I have suffered with mental health issues for a lot of my life. It impacted a lot of my life negatively, especially when I wasn’t aware of how to ask for help or where I could go to find help. Thankfully, I was eventually able to find the help I needed and was able to much better talk to the people around me about what I was going through. I was able to gain a very strong support system that helped me navigate a lot of my mental health challenges. I joined TAG and continue to be a part of it so that I can help other people with their struggles, especially mental health. It can be very easy to feel alone when you are dealing with mental health struggles, so I joined to help people find their ways to the resources and people that can help them and ultimately recognize that they are not alone.
Liora Perkins
Co-Secretary
I joined TAG because I wanted to make a difference at Staples by advocating for mental health awareness and substance abuse prevention. I think that everything TAG works towards promotes a positive and informed environment among students.
Interests: I love all types of dance and it’s where I spend most of my time outside of school. I’m also a president for two clubs at Staples, The Mitzvah Club and Dancers Exchange
Senior
Claudia Trinchi
Co-Board Development
Senior
I wanted to be a part of a community that brings issues of mental health and substance abuse into the spotlight in a way to help people on a day to day basis and not make them feel bad about themselves, and help them flourish in the future.
Interests: I swim for the Staples Girls Swim & Dive Team, and in my free time I love spending time with my friends and walking my dog!
Alexa Fass
General Board
Senior
Zara Saliba
General Board
Junior
Lila Boroujerdi
Co-Public Relations
Junior
I wanted to help educate my community about mental health and work towards breaking the stigma surrounding it.
Interests: I am part of Junior State of America (JSA) and the president of Current Events Club. Once a week, I volunteer as a tutor for middle school students in the Norwalk Public School System. I do track and field in the spring as well.
Suhani Aggarwal
Treasurer
Senior
I joined TAG to raise awareness regarding mental health and substance abuse, which impact the lives of so many today. Some of my friends have dealt with mental health challenges in the past few years, and I want to be able to better help those struggling by knowing the resources available.
Interests: I love programming! I am a co-Captain of the math team, and the president of the AI Club.
Sienna Sedlarcik
Co-Board Development
Junior
I joined TAG to spread awareness and educate others in my community about mental health and substance abuse, as they have a huge effect on the students at Staples.
Interests: Interests/Activities: I am in many different clubs at Staples and play tennis for Staples in the Spring. I also tutor and babysit many kids. I enjoy listening to music and being with friends and family.
Eliza Gurley
General Board
Senior
Rebecca Schachter
General Board
Junior
I joined TAG to make a difference in the community and leave an impact. I am passionate about teaching others about drug abuse and awareness.
Natalie Sipsma
General Board
Junior
Aanya Gandhi
General Board
Sophomore
Addison Welling
General Board
Junior
I joined TAG to make a positive difference in the community by utilizing my passion to inspire, support, and uplift those around me!
Avni Krishna
General Board
Sophomore
Chloe Beitel
General Board
Sophomore
Lily Cina
General Board
Sophomore
Mulsy Mani Sundararajan
General Board
Sophomore