OCA-WHV Interns
Permanent Interns
Elena Lim
Elena is a rising senior at Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut. Having lived in a town with a small Asian population, she has grown to become more passionate in AAPI representation. Elena joined the 2021 Summer Internship program to help the mission of OCA and raise the voice of the local AAPI community. As the web team leader, she helped delegate assignments and focused on web design, ultimately creating a more attractive website for the public. She hopes to contribute to the advocacy of AAPI equality and representation.
Nadia Quek
Nadia Quek is a rising junior at Scarsdale high School, who is passionate about raising awareness of local issues in school and within the AAPI community. At school, she was assigned to lead social media accounts for the Asian Conscientization and Empowerment (ACE) club. In her spare time, she manages an online business called Lucidity Shops with a friend, where 50% profits are donated to UNICEF Yemen. She joined OCA’s internship program to promote the work of diversity and inclusion in Westchester County and hopes to continue working for OCA in this capacity as an educator and social media manager. Nadia aspires to work in the field of marketing and advertising and to continue spreading the message of racial equity and justice.
Ava Herman
Ava Herman, a rising high school freshman, has worked to empower the local AAPI community in Westchester during the rise of anti-Asian hate during COVID-19. She now co-manages the social media platforms for OCA Reading Program with a fellow intern and provides part-time support in classrooms teaching diversity and inclusion. As an American of Filipina descent, Ava strives to end the normalization of racism and make a positive change in the world.
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2021 Summer Interns
Linus Ringstad
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Linus Ringstad is a rising senior at Rye Neck High School in Mamaroneck, New York. Through his work on several political campaigns, he became aware of OCA and its aims. After the recent spike in hate crimes against members of the AAPI community, he decided to get involved. Currently, he interns for OCA with the web team and at the food pantry.2021 Summer Interns
Emma Zhu
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Emma, a senior at Horace Greeley H.S., founded the school’s first AAPI club her junior year. While creating a space for AAPI classmates to speak about AAPI issues, she met with the town board and a member of the Westchester chapter of OCA, Bob Chao. At the OCA, Emma now develops the arts & crafts curriculum, leads book readings and teaches American children of Asian descent to grow up proud of their diverse heritage. She is spearheading other project ideas within the OCA Diversity & Inclusion Program, including a teen-led podcast on Asian American experiences. She is undecided for long term goals but is interested in working in the field of politics or business.2021 Summer Interns
Richa Chaudhary
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Richa Chaudhary is a high school junior in Westchester County, New York. Upset by the increase in anti-Asian sentiment across the United States, especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Richa joined the OCA as a summer intern to work as an educator of diversity and inclusion in the kids reading program. In addition to reading books, Richa developed and led fun animal-themed interactive yoga classes for children to practice good mental health. Richa enjoys working with kids and plans to pursue a career in the medical field as a pediatrician.2021 Summer Interns
Maggie Kuo Reed
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Maggie is an 11th grade student attending Fox Lane High School. After hearing about the recent spike in violence against the AAPI community due to Covid-19, Maggie helped organize a Stop Asian Hate rally in Bedford with her classmates. There, she spoke about her experiences as an AAPI student in Westchester County and met board members of Westchester Chapter of OCA who also spoke at the rally. Maggie joined the 2021 Summer Internship program as a website intern to develop a website that is more updated and user friendly. She hopes to change the harmful perceptions about Asian Americans such as “the model minority myth” and how they are viewed as perpetual foreigners. Her intention is to raise awareness in order to cultivate cultural understanding of the AAPI community leading to a more unified and inclusive future.
