WATERTOWN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES A NEW STUDENT BOARD MEMBER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM-

FIRST TWO STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS NAMED

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces the start of a new student board member internship program and appoints its first two new student members for the 2021/2022 academic year. Joining WCF as non-voting board members are Mona Houjazy and Alishba Amin, both seniors from Watertown High School (WHS). This new pilot program is based on the success of the WCF student summer internship program, where students gain valuable professional experience, learn more about an area of interest, all while being paid a $1,000 stipend. The new student board internship introduces students to the non-profit world of philanthropy and helps to diversify the WCF board.

“The new student board members will help Watertown Community Foundation reach a new audience and bring in fresh ideas from the youth of our community. We are so excited to have them.” said Curtis Teixeira, WCF Board Member.

Mona Houjazy, a senior at Watertown High School, is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Model UN. She plays softball and participates in theatre as a member of the tech crew. Outside of school Mona belongs to Keystone, a community service club at the Watertown Boys and Girls Club, HUPL, a Harvard University Peer Leadership program, and works with Uplift Watertown, a community-based group training locals and the Watertown High School staff to become more anti-racist.

Alishba Amin, also a senior at Watertown High School emigrated to the US at a young age. She has been part of the Harvard Peer Leadership, and the Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer mental health and suicide prevention education group. Alishba is a member of Student Council, the baking club, debate club, track and field, and the volleyball team. With interests in community service and leadership, she was awarded the Watertown Rotary Youth Leadership Award. A member of the National Honor Society and a high-honor roll student, Alishba also speaks 4 languages (English, Pashto, Urdu, and Hindi).

For questions, please contact Jan Singer at jan.singer@watertownfoundation.org.

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The Watertown Community Foundation, a public, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, works to build and sustain a vibrant, close-knit community in Watertown – now, and for future generations. To accomplish this, WCF raises funds from individuals, families, businesses, and foundations; awards grants to nonprofits and community projects; and builds networks of donors, grantees, program participants, and stakeholders. 

Since its inception in 2003, WCF has awarded nearly $2,000,000 in grants to programs and organizations serving Watertown.

WCF Board of Directors: David Siegel and Darshna Varia, Co-Presidents; Robert Airasian; Albrik Avanessian; Emily Barclay; Jennifer Davis; Eleanor Donato; William B. Ford; Heather Leary; Mary Ann Mulligan; Antonia O’Hara; Maria Panaggio-Phillips; Anthony Paolillo; Christine Parker; Lora Sabin; Robert Shay; Curtis Teixeira; Elaina Themistos; Lauren Coughlin Unsworth; Kathryn White; Alishba Amin and Mona Houjazy, Student Board Interns