Meet Our Board Members
 Founder & President: Maya Joshi
Hi, I'm Maya and I'm a rising sophomore at Walter Payton College Prep! I have a passion for the visual arts that has stemmed from my early childhood. Some of my favorite memories come from learning to paint and weave with my grandparents. Finger painting and weaving with a loom was a special way for me to learn about being creative. Now, finger weaving and watercolor painting has become a favorite way for me to relax and unwind in my free time. Art has given me everlasting memories and bonds that I hold close to my heart. I hope to create art and new memories with others that they can also cherish and remember with smiles.
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 Communications Director: Eleanor Van Houten
​Hello! I’m Eleanor, a rising sophomore at Whitney Young High School. I am the Communications Director. I love the arts and participate in my school’s theatre company and choir and I also play piano. I’m also super passionate about helping others and I’m so excited to be able to put these two interests together and bring happiness, friendship and art to those who need it most.
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Treasurer: Riya Joshi
​Hi, I'm Riya and I'm a rising sophomore at Walter Payton College Prep! I love words, reading poetry, and playing board games. Fun Fact: I love Latin! Some of my favorite games to play are Scrabble, Boggle, and Charades. I think that playing board games evokes the magical feeling of joy that brings us back to our childhood.  I believe connecting through games can help us all feel the simple pleasures in life, even in challenging times.
Secretary & Publicist: June Stevens
​Hey! My name is June, I'm a rising freshman at Lane Tech High School, and I'm Lifting Hearts With the Arts’ secretary and publicist! I love going on walks and playing card games. Some of my other interests are politics, cooking and sports. A fun fact about me is that I’m on the debate team at my school. I look forward to talking with you!

Meet Our Volunteers

Chelsea Warkentin

Volunteer

Hi, my name is Chelsea and I'm in 8th grade at Lane Tech Academic Center! I love to dance, sing, talk, and listen to music. I enjoy having meaningful conversations and trying new things. ​​I am so excited to talk with you!

Mia Combs

Volunteer

Hi I’m Mia! I’m a student and artist who is constantly up for learning and creating. I’m a multi-medium artist who partakes in everything from chainmaille to film. Speaking of film, I co-lead the film club at my school and I am an avid cinephile and amateur director.

Darcy Combs

Volunteer

​My name is Darcy and I'm a rising sophomore at Whitney Young. My interests include reading graphic novels and science fiction books, drawing, journaling, and watching films.

Eleanor Corken

Volunteer

Hi! I’m Ellie and I'm a rising sophomore at Whitney Young. I love being active and connecting with others on and off the ice or field. I love sports and play ice hockey and lacrosse for my school. I appreciate the arts and enjoy drawing, playing games, and arts and crafts. I’m passionate about helping others!

Chloe Krasman

Volunteer

Hi everyone, I’m Chloe! I'm a freshman at Lane Tech. I love everything about music from singing to playing the piano. I am part of my school’s choir and I also love board games and going on bike rides by the lake! I am so happy to be a part of this organization and I can’t wait to meet you!

Jordan Williams

Volunteer

Hi, I'm Jordan! I am a rising junior at Whitney Young and I am incredibly passionate about the well being of senior citizens since they're vulnerable and easily abused. Their wealth of knowledge, and brutal honesty make for wonderful conversations. They warm my heart.

Aria Fifer

Volunteer

Hi, my name is Aria and I'm a rising sophomore at Whitney Young High School! I enjoy playing and listening to music, reading, learning about history, improving my Spanish, STEM, and learning about people from different cultures. I hope to meet and befriend many new people!

Ella Harrison

Volunteer

Howdy, I'm Ella, a rising sophomore at Walter Payton College Prep! I am the youngest of five children - a chaotic pack of goofy, emotional artists. You can catch me jamming out to music, drawing, cooking/eating, or investing myself in some quality fiction! ​

Ivy Tollefsen

Volunteer

Hello! I’m Ivy and I'm in 8th grade at Lane Tech Academic Center. I’m into reading, music (any and all kinds), history, and roller skating. I love to talk to people, and I’m excited to get to know everyone!

Gabrielle Drutchas

Volunteer

Hi, my name is Gabi! I love reading and writing stories, dancing, and sewing. I love learning about everything, history, science, music and so much more. I think that Lifting Hearts With the Arts is a wonderful platform to share and connect people.

Tova Kaplan

Volunteer

My name is Tova Kaplan and I am a rising junior at Whitney Young! I am passionate about volunteering in my community and making a difference in the world. I’m thrilled to be able to participate in this organization!

Meg Denberg

Volunteer

I'm Meg Denberg and I'm a rising sophomore at New Trier High School. I love helping others and meeting new people. My other interests include drumming, rowing, animal welfare, and spending time with friends. I am so excited to be working with LHA and getting the opportunity to help out!

Caroline Klearman

Volunteer

Hi, my name is Caroline and I am a rising sophomore at Evanston Township High School. I am a competitive figure skater; I compete both individually and on a theater on ice team. I also run track. I love math and I am on my school’s math team. For fun, I enjoy sewing, baking, and biking!

Hanna Lindroth

Volunteer

​Hi, my name is Hanna and I am a rising sophomore at Evanston Township High School. I am on the debate team, love theater, and love to volunteer! I also like to dance, sing, and play piano in my spare time. I love to meet new people and connect.

Hannah Xie

Volunteer

Hello! My name is Hannah Xie and I'm a rising senior at Walter Payton College Prep. I love helping people out! I am also a part of my school's Music Medicine, where we volunteer at hospitals. I run cross country and track but I also enjoy swimming. I love to read books & watch stand-up comedy!

Ellerie Lusignan

Volunteer

Hi! My name is Ellerie, and I’m a rising sophomore at Lake Mary High School. I love to sing, act, and design clothes. I also love to draw and write. While I was originally born in Chicago, I am the first member of the Central Florida division! I look forward to talking with you!

Carissa Park

Volunteer

Hi, my name is Carissa! I love exploring the visual arts, including painting, drawing, embroidering, knitting, and basically anything I can create with my hands! I also play volleyball, and I have a huge heart for dogs. I am passionate about making others feel heard and loved.

Sophie McBroom

Volunteer

Hi! I’m Sophie and I’m a rising sophomore at Payton College Prep: I play softball and some recreational tennis and love drawing, painting and sculpting. i speak French fluently with my family and am in my 4th year of learning Chinese now!

Rachel Zacks

Volunteer

Hi! I’m Rachael and I’m a rising sophomore at New Trier. I love playing sports, especially basketball, and I play for my school. I also love cooking, doing arts and crafts, and spending time outside. I’m very passionate about helping others, and I love meeting new people.

Kalaya Sriver

Volunteer

Hello, I’m Kalaya and I am a rising sophomore at Jones College Prep. I really enjoy painting, drawing, sewing, knitting, and mixed media arts. I love watching and breaking down great films and sailing in Wisconsin's many lakes and our very own Lake Michigan!

Liana O'Rourke

Volunteer

Hi, I’m Liana and I’m a rising junior at Downers Grove South High School! I have played violin for many years, and this summer I’m learning to play piano and guitar. I also love to dance act onstage, and write poetry. I’m so excited to meet everyone!

Kristen Si

Volunteer

Hey! My name’s Kristen and I’m a rising senior at Walter Payton College Prep. I’m a huge science nerd and love running in my free time! I help run my school’s Science Olympiad team and UNICEF Club!

Toks Opeifa

Volunteer

Hey! I’m Toks and I am a rising Junior at Walter Payton. I enjoy reading, writing, and spending time with my dog. I believe that everyone should be treated as equals and I will continue to push for this until no one is left behind. We all should be able to be who we want when we want and how we want. I love helping others in whatever way I can!

Seema Arjuna

Volunteer

Hi! I'm Seema! I recently graduated from Walter Payton College Prep and will be attending University of Pittsburgh this fall. I really enjoy photography and music. Recently I've been spending my time playing many card and board games with my family. I'm really excited to meet and spend time with everyone!