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MEET THE PROJECT RED POPPY TEAM!
These individuals truly helped PRP become everything we hoped it would be!
Adithi Sarikonda
Co-Founder
Adithi co-founded Project Red Poppy after volunteering at her local VA Medical Center, inspired by the strength and stories of the veterans she met. She’s passionate about youth advocacy and creating lasting opportunities to support veterans. Outside of PRP, she enjoys reading, eating desserts, and watching but not playing (due to a lack of athleticism) a wide variety of sports. She is a high school junior in Delaware.
Samika Kulshreshtha
Co-Founder
As a high school junior in Delaware, Samika’s work with veterans at her local Veterans Affairs hospital inspired her to co-found Project Red Poppy. Through this initiative, she hopes to extend the same support—with a more long-term impact—that she provided during her time at the VA, while also creating more opportunities for youth to get involved. Outside of PRP, Samika enjoys dancing, singing, and—of course—traveling!
Erin Kang
Director of Care Package Team
Erin is a rising junior from Delaware who joined the PRP team to help amplify important conversations around mental health and social awareness within her community. Passionate about creating change, she believes taking initiative means to listen, uplift, and stand for causes she believes in. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin and drawing.
Deborah Gym
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Deborah is a high school senior from Pennsylvania with a strong sense of service shaped by her family ties to the military and years of community volunteering through her church. She joined Project Red Poppy to help preserve the stories of veterans, something she first explored while writing STEM and public health pieces for Project Cleris, a student-run nonprofit. Through PRP, she hopes to combine writing and advocacy to spotlight the lives of those who served and expand youth involvement in civic work. In her free time, she enjoys reading nonfiction works, coding, and cooking with her siblings.
Alek Lee
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Alek was inspired to join Red Poppy by veterans he met while volunteering at the food bank and playing clarinet in his local band. Through this initiative, he hopes to raise awareness about the challenges faced by veterans while creating opportunities for youth advocacy and engagement in the community. Outside of PRP, Alek enjoys running, reading, and eating strawberry ice cream.
Orisha Paudyal
Director of Veteran Outreach
Orisha is a Delaware high school junior deeply passionate about giving back to her community. Through her leadership role in Apples to Educators, she learned various skills that ultimately helped her plan and execute multiple successful events to support teachers based in the state. She hopes to bring this knowledge to Project Red Poppy, as Director of Veteran Outreach, and help organize local outreach events that make a difference. In her free time, she loves baking, listening to music, and having fun with her friends.
Ruchika Yerram
Co-Director of Marketing
Ruchika Yerram is an upcoming sophomore excited to create an impact by solving real-world issues. By bringing awareness to Project Red Poppy through social media, she hopes to bring honor and appreciation to the veterans in her community. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano as a soloist and accompanist.
Aanya Deshpande
Co-Director of Marketing
Aanya Deshpande is from Pennsylvania, and is a junior at Downingtown S.T.E.M. Academy. She joined Project Red Poppy because she wants to spread awareness about the hardships and challenges that veterans face, so that more people can understand and help solve the problem. Some of her hobbies include martial arts, dance, and medical research.
Our Research Interns...
Aayush Kothari
Aaron Zhang
M'hamed Machich
Primos Khatiwada
Look forward to new members joining soon!
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