Pali High Teens For Teens

Left to right: Prisca Onyenechehe, Samantha Sinaiko, Kayla Tefilin, Emily Schwartz. Photos: Dorian Elyahouzadeh.

By Melanie Williams-Galuten

Four fabulous Palisades High teens have stepped out of the classroom and into the real world with the motivated and selfless desire to help fellow teens…specifically teens in the foster system.

Adopting the famous Rabbinical proverb, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” The fab four freshman team: Emily Schwartz, Prisca Onyenechehe, Samantha Sinaiko and Kayla Tefilin built and designed a website to create awareness of problems and issues facing foster teens.  

The 9th graders are members of the “Media Pod” at Pali High that explores how media affects the community. Their assignment was to choose something that matters to them. As a group they decided to focus on teens in foster care and built a website to educate and to facilitate outreach in the Palisades and Brentwood communities. The brutal realities of the problems teens face in foster care really touched the group members and they are extremely motivated to help teens in foster care have hope for a better future.  

Their ‘HELP A FOSTER TEEN’ contains a heartfelt introduction, sobering statistics and some links to existing charities that have programs in place to help foster teens where readers can connect and donate. Prisca says the reason for creating a website was “to find ways how to help in the community.” Their hope is to encourage and inspire the community to volunteer, donate or simply spread the word.

Emily posted the site on Nextdoor.com and says that the community response has been great so far and “tons of people have privately messaged us to say that they have donated.” She adds that “the community has been so nice and everyone has been thanking us.”

Samantha points out, “This was an issue I wasn’t aware of before starting this project. I decided it was an important issue to address so awareness could be spread and we can try to overcome this issue together.”  The group has already connected with foster charities such as A Sense of Home, Ready to Succeed and Stepping Forward LA and plan on working further with them.  This wonderful and worthy website may have started as a school assigned project but the motivated team has decided as a group to continue pursuing this selfless and inspirational project ‘after the bell’. They are excited to keep this worthy enterprise going even after their May 20 school presentation. 

Emily is enthusiastic, “Our group has already talked and we are going to continue this and keep updating the website and keep informing people because we’ve seen how much of an impact it already had made and it would be pointless to stop when we could just keep going…I like informing people and it makes me feel good because more people are learning because of what we are sharing.” 

Kayla sums it all up, “I believe that this is no longer a class assignment, it’s a game changer.” 

in News
Related Posts

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

ICE Raids Disrupt Labor in Fire Recovery Efforts: REPORT

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Immigrants, comprising about 75% of Los Angeles County’s construction workforce with nearly half undocumented, per a Bay Area Council analysis,...

Nonprofit Formed by Palisades High Alumni to Host Benefit Concert for Fire Recovery

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

All proceeds will support relief for the Hildebrand family, Palisades High School’s booster club and Palisades Dolphin Strong The Pacific...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

County Launches Campaign to Boost Fire-Hit Small Businesses

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Affected businesses can register for promotional support and resources, while residents are urged to take a Shop Local Pledge and...

One-Acre Riviera Lot Listed for $7.25M After Fire Loss

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The site includes completed Phase I and II plans featuring an accessory dwelling unit, infinity pool, sauna/gym, and sport court...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

USC Initiative Seeks Fire Recovery Stories from LA County Residents

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Two community listening sessions are planned: one on July 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at KCRW Headquarters in...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

Pepperdine Announces 2025-2026 Arts Season with Diverse Lineup

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The lineup includes a mix of dance, music, theater, and art exhibitions across the Malibu campus Pepperdine University’s Lisa Smith...

Comments
Leave a Reply