We all have a story to share. Our stories show who we are and develop our individual identities. These stories may take form as lifelong biographies, short experiences, art and photography, or even a dessert recipe we love. The Diversity Story is a platform that allows people to submit and share stories of culturally diverse experiences around the world. Sharing our unique stories connects people from all generations and cultures. Some stories have the ability to educate others about different lifestyles, unique experiences, or various global issues. Other stories may serve to inspire others to take action and change the world. Stories may also empower readers to embrace their own identity and share stories of their own. Through reading and sharing our stories, we can help create a more educated, compassionate, and well-connected world.
Eleanor is a senior at North Allegheny Senior High in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Growing up among three cultures (Chinese/Korean/American), she has always been interested in cultural identity and its influence on life. Through one formative conversation with an international friend, she realized how valuable it was to hear everyone's unique stories and developed the vision for The Diversity Story. She wants this platform to provide a place where people can share and read others' stories and experiences since they are often unheard. Other than writing, editing, and interviewing people for The Diversity Story, she enjoys playing piano, painting, and fencing.
SUZANNE VO
Suzanne is a senior at Lewisburg Area High School in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She joined The Diversity Story to expand her worldview to new cultural perspectives and to help others do the same. She is so excited to read and share stories that reflect people with entirely different walks of life! Suzanne hopes The Diversity Story can show readers that all cultures are beautiful, unique, and worthy of being embraced! In her free time, Suzanne enjoys music, theatre, and being mediocre at Duolingo.
ALLISON MI
Allison is currently a junior at Huron High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Having always been immersed in various cultures from the cosmopolitan one of Montreal to the vivacious one of her Chinese heritage, it was a no brainer for her to join the Diversity Story. She hopes that the Diversity Story also gives others that same chance to share their unique stories, whether it be through writing, visual arts, or simply raw ideas. When not finishing up school work, you can find her snuggling with her chubby cat, binging Gossip Girl, or spending time with family.
EMILY DJOHAN
WRITING DIRECTOR
Meet Emily, a senior in highschool! Emily was motivated to join the Diversity Story team as a staff writer as a result of where she was raised. Growing up in New York, she has met so many people with so many differences from herself. She wants to embrace these differences and spread a sense of love and acceptance for all of these cultures. Therefore, she decided to become a part of the Diversity Story team! Other than being an advocate for spreading love for different cultures, Emily enjoys the magical world of theatre and music.
PRABHPREET GILL
Prabhpreet Gill is a student-athlete in his junior year from Vancouver, Canada. His passion for culture and exploration made him join The Diversity Story, as he loves to learn and enhance his horizons of what culture means. Balancing his heritage of punjabi culture while living in Canada has truly broadened his perspective towards diversity and embracing all sides. Prabhpreet loves to swim, travel and dream of the future.
GERALD GAO
Gerald is from China and came to the US in 2019. In China, he studied at a public school in Qingdao. He currently lives in Winchester, Massachusetts and is a sophomore at boarding school in Connecticut. He plays sports, piano, and likes to create artwork in his leisure. Gerald loves to write and share the culture of his country, city and town.
SAKURA YONEYAMA
Sakura, also called Sak, is 17 and from Tokyo, Japan, but currently lives in Madrid, Spain. She joined The Diversity Story because she wanted to share her experiences of living in foreign countries to the world. She enjoys running, reading, writing, and sewing.
RHIANNA LACHHMAN
Rhianna is a freshman at Brampton Centennial Secondary School In Brampton, ON, Canada. She joined The Diversity Story because she feels that it is important to help tell stories regarding diversity to merge the gap between different cultures and help others understand that just because someone is different than you, they are not less than you. She is proud to be of Guyanese origin and has been raised around a variety of different cultures and backgrounds her whole life. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, reading, photography, editing, and watching movies and documentaries.
KATE WEXELL
Kate is a senior at O'Fallon Township High School and a piano teacher in the St. Louis metro area. Due to her relatives living in a Swedish colonial village in Northern Illinois and her living in a largely German region, she has grown up attending different ethnic festivals and taking interest in the traditions from her cultures, along with others. A large supporter of education, she believes that encouraging people to learn more about other cultures will not only increase well-roundedness, but also promote harmony amongst humanity. Apart from writing, Kate enjoys playing piano, a multitude of brass instruments, photography, baking, and genealogy.
HALLIE DONG
Hallie is a 9th grader at North Allegheny Intermediate High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She joined The Diversity Story in hopes of being inspired and inspiring others, as well as forming her own opinions based on exposure to a variety of cultures and perspectives. In her free time, Hallie enjoys reading, painting, playing the violin and piano, and writing, and she has a passion for running cross country and track.
AMELIA ALAM
Amelia Alam is a grade 9 student in the pre-IB programme at Colonel By Secondary School in Ottawa, Ontario. As someone who is growing up in Canada and is of South Asian descent (Indian and Bangladeshi specifically), she hasn't felt extremely connected to her culture, but is currently trying to explore it further. She is most excited about celebrating and spreading acceptance of different cultures and cultural traditions through writing for The Diversity Story. In her spare time, she loves acting and is a complete theatre dork, and also enjoys playwriting and screenwriting too. She is passionate about social justice, swimming, and virtually tutoring younger children in other academic subjects.
AMAL BUMBIA
Amal is a senior at Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugar Land, Texas. As a Pakistani Muslim growing up in the U.S., she desires to connect more with her culture and faith. Living in a fairly diverse area and having traveled a bit has given her more exposure to various cultural backgrounds. She finds the similarities and differences between them to be very interesting and wants to better understand others' customs as she believes education is the best way to prevent ignorance and insensitivity. Amal hopes to bring new perspectives to The Diversity Story and is excited for the opportunity to learn from others. In her free time, Amal enjoys reading, practicing karate, writing, and spending time with friends and family.
BREANNA BURKE
Breanna is a junior at Campion College in Kingston, Jamaica. She has always been fascinated by the way in which our cultures shape us as people. Breanna joined The Diversity Story as she believes that it is important to create a space that highlights the beauty of various cultures in order to promote acceptance and understanding. Through her writing, she hopes to show that our differences have the power to unite us. Along with being a passionate writer, she is an avid crocheter, photographer and film buff.