Young Minds Think Alike

Leili –

Project: Young Minds Think Alike

Support: Mentorship and Funding

“Mental Health and Figure Skating”.. Two words you probably don’t see together.. Why is that?

Leili Arya, a competitive figure skater with 14 years of experience, wanted to blend the two together. Leili posts original content related to figure skating and mental health—inspiring over 200k people all over the world on numerous social media platforms. After difficult experiences of her own with those around her, she fell down the rabbit hole of understanding the human mind and psychology. She realized her callings lay in combining two things she loves, figure skating and mental health. Leili has worked with multiple industries such as the app, BeReal, and Digital4Good X ICANHELP, and many more in hopes to promote mental health awareness. 

Leili’s U-Project originally consisted of improving mental health and psychological evaluations within schools (School Psychology). However, she realized her vision of conveying her thoughts was to simply create the true vision—a film of mental health and figure skating. Thank you to Acton TV and the related staff for the consideration and help with her project. 

💬 Join Leili in transforming how schools support student mental health at the U-Project Showcase on June 5th at Danny’s Place!

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Food Waste 101: Educate to Eliminate

Aditya –

Project: Food Waste 101: Educate to Eliminate

Support: Mentorship and Funding

Aditya is on a mission to reduce food waste in Acton and beyond with his two-phase project, Digital Food Fix. In Phase 1, he’s spreading awareness through creative educational tools like bookmarks, booklets, and digital content. His research shows that food waste is a silent epidemic—even in affluent communities.

In Phase 2, he’s building a solution: Produce Rescue Boxes filled with surplus food collected from local markets. Paired with a custom-built app, users can order their boxes, track their impact, and earn rewards for helping to reduce waste.

Inspired by his time volunteering at the FreeBee Market in Boxborough, Aditya has seen how much food—and how many people—are impacted by our current system. His goal is to shift behaviors and build a more sustainable, equitable food system, one rescue box at a time.

🥕 Help Aditya build a greener future at the U-Project Showcase on June 5th at Danny’s Place!

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Cubenation Academy

Sarah – Cubenation Academy

Mentorship and Funding

Rubik’s Cubes may look like toys, but in Sarah’s Cubenation Academy, they’re tools for transformation. This project offers fun, engaging, hands-on classes that teach kids not only how to solve cubes—but how to think critically, work collaboratively, and get creative.

With sessions tailored for beginners and a massive collection of puzzles—from 2x2s to 9x9s, from mirror cubes to mastermorphix—Cubenation Academy brings variety and challenge to the classroom. Students will also explore cube art, games, races, and even optional competition training.

Sarah’s mission is to promote logic, leadership, and friendship in a low-pressure, high-energy environment. It’s learning disguised as play—and it’s helping kids unplug from screens and connect with each other.

🧩 Experience the twisty fun of Cubenation Academy at the U-Project Showcase on June 5th at Danny’s Place!

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Our Sister Towns: Building Acton and Boxborough

Alden –

Project: Our Sister Towns: Building Acton and Boxborough

Support: Mentorship and Funding

With Our Sister Towns, Alden is using artistry, architecture, and heart to highlight the vibrant, intertwined communities of Acton and Boxborough. His project? A hand-built, to-scale miniature model of the neighborhoods and businesses that line Mass Ave.

Each tiny building and street corner is a tribute to local character and connection. But Alden’s project is more than a visual delight—it’s a fundraiser, too. Visitors to the installation will be invited to donate, with all proceeds going to local families in need.

By showcasing the everyday beauty of Acton and Boxborough, Alden reminds us that small towns have big stories—and bigger hearts.

🏘️ See Alden’s masterpiece in person and help support neighbors in need at the U-Project Showcase on June 5th at Danny’s Place!

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Combating Light Pollution

Charlotte –
Project: Combating Light Pollution
Support: Mentorship and Funding

Charlotte is bringing attention to something we’ve lost without realizing it—the stars. Her project on Combating Light Pollution blends environmental awareness, public health, and a deep curiosity about the universe. Through advocacy and creative public spaces, she’s working to reduce light pollution and reignite humanity’s fascination with the night sky.

Her plan includes presenting a reform proposal to Town Hall that promotes healthier lighting options and creating stargazing areas in public spaces like the Acton Arboretum. Charlotte’s work is rooted in science: light pollution has been linked to increased risks of disease, as well as higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Her project serves as both a wake-up call and a hopeful invitation to reengage with the natural world.

Through community education and policy change, Charlotte is helping us see what we’ve been missing.

🌌 Come stargaze with Charlotte and discover what light pollution is hiding at the U-Project Showcase on June 5th at Danny’s Place!

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Senior Citizen Prom

Sarah – 12th Grade
Project: Senior Citizen Prom
Support: Mentorship and Funding

What if we could bring the joy of a high school prom to those who often feel forgotten?

That’s exactly what Sarah set out to do with her Senior Citizen Prom—an inclusive, joy-filled event designed to help local seniors reconnect, celebrate, and feel part of the community. Inspired by her time volunteering at senior centers and working with cognitively challenged adults, Sarah recognized the growing isolation many older adults face as they age.

With music, dancing, a shared meal, and genuine connection, this prom is more than just a party—it’s a powerful antidote to loneliness. Sarah is also collecting feedback from attendees to better understand how events like these can improve emotional and social wellbeing among seniors.

Her project beautifully reflects the power of intergenerational empathy, community care, and simple joy.

📅 Come meet Sarah and learn more about her impact at the Spring Celebration on June 5th at Danny’s Place!

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The Little Hearts Science Crate

Ayana – 12th Grade
Project: The Little Hearts Science Crate
Support: Mentorship and Funding

What if a childhood memory and a personal loss could spark a movement? For Ayana, that’s exactly what happened.

After the unexpected passing of her grandmother due to unequal access to proper cardiac care, Ayana was inspired to take action. Drawing on her passion for science, community, and justice, she founded Light on the Heart—a nonprofit raising awareness about disparities in cardiovascular care for marginalized communities.

Her latest initiative, the Little Hearts Science Crate, brings hands-on cardiology-themed STEM learning to underserved kids—free of charge. With funding from Danny’s Place and Fetch, Ayana created over 100 kits featuring interactive activities like the Circulation Game, Blood Compatibility, Modeling the Heart, and even building a working stethoscope. Each crate is designed to spark scientific curiosity and plant seeds of health literacy at an early age.

But this project goes beyond science—it’s about empowering young people to explore, ask questions, and see themselves as future changemakers. Ayana’s work has already received recognition from Acton TV, Women Who Win, and the Simple Acts Podcast, and continues to make a growing impact, both locally and nationally.

Come experience Ayana’s story and project up close!

📍 Join us at the Spring Celebration on June 5th at Danny’s Place.
She’ll be showcasing her work alongside other incredible youth projects.

👉 RSVP today at dannys-place.org/celebration and see what happens when young people lead with heart.