Greetings! My name is Darlene Folas. I am currently a senior at West Orange High School in New Jersey. My goal is to study government and policy. I am a well-rounded student who is an enthusiastic learner and active volunteer. As a leader in my community I serve as a voting member on my town's Board Of Education, lobby for traffic safety laws in New Jersey through the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, and I am the founder of a political activism organization. I plan to continue my service and impact by attending a promising college. With your help I hope that I can live a life where I have the financial freedom to pursue my passion for activism and social justice. Thank you.

• Paid Intern

  Arts · Newark Museum of Art

  Jan 2017 – Present

• Member of Youth Summit Board

  Arts · New Museum of Contemporary Art

  Jan 2020 – Present

• Advocacy
• Politics
• Volunteering
• Philanthropy
• Entrepreneurship

• Tennis

  Varsity · 3 awards

  2016 – Present

  Awards:

  2017 MVP, 2016-2019 Super Essex Conference Winner , 2018 & 2019 Essex County Tournemant Winner

• Live Poetry Performer

  Girl Be Heard · Performance Art

  2017 – Present

• Founder

  Public Service (Politics) · Independent

  2018 – Present

  Mission:

  To promote civic engagement among youth in Essex County, New Jersey

• President

  Volunteering · Nikhil Badlani Foundation Youth Advisory Board

  2018 – Present

  Mission:

  To place youth in at the forefront of making streets safer, reducing car crash, and lobbying for traffic safety laws in New Jersey

• Board Member

  Advocacy · Independent

  2019 – Present

  Mission:

  I served as the youngest elected member on the Board of Education where I directly advocated and influenced policies that reformed schools in West Orange

• Mountaineer Mentor

  Advocacy · School Leadership

  2018 – Present

  Mission:

  I mentor incoming freshman and serve on the Student Alliance Board against Bullying and Tobacco/Vaping

• Senior Staff Officer

  Volunteering · Air Force JROTC

  2016 – Present

  Mission:

  Participate in classroom leadership instruction and service projects in school and community.