Department of Special Issues

Grace Minakowski
Huntingtown High School
Calvert County

Special Issues Director

Bio: Grace Minakowski is a senior at Huntingtown High School in Calvert County. She is active in SGA at the state, regional, and school level, serving previously as the CASC President, MASC Division 5 Liaison, and Deputy Special Issues Director. Grace is currently the Student Member of the Board of Education in Calvert County and works as a Legislative Intern for Senator Michael A. Jackson in Maryland’s 27th District. Outside the student leadership realm, Grace is an active distance runner, captain of her school’s varsity cross country team, head of choreography, performer for her school’s theatre department, and student at the Jarrett Studio of Vocal Arts. She loves coding, singing, dancing, and long car rides (which include a Hozier playlist).


Emily Noonan
Dulaney High School
Baltimore County

Special Issues Deputy Director

Bio: Emily Noonan, a senior at Dulaney High School in Baltimore County, is a passionate student advocate. This is her second year on MASC’s Appointed Staff. Last year she served as the Mental Health Affairs Coordinator and this year she is serving as the Special Issues Deputy Director. Emily is also involved in the Baltimore County Student Council (BCSC), as well as serving as the President of Dulaney’s Student Government. Outside of student council, Emily is involved in the Digital4Good #ICANHELP nonprofit, and Not On Our Watch club (NOOW), a mental health awareness and advocacy club that she co-founded. She also participates in athletics at school, serving as a manager to multiple teams. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, making playlists, and taking naps!


Vibha Nanduri
Bel Air High School
Harford County

Environmental Affairs Coordinator

Bio: Vibha Nanduri, a sophomore at Bel Air High School in Harford County, is thrilled to begin her first year on MASC’s appointed staff. She has held various student council roles, notably as her class president and regional 2nd vice-president. This year also marks her second term on her region’s executive board. Outside of student leadership, she is involved in her school’s competitive environmental club, Envirothon, where she aims to expand her knowledge and address Maryland’s growing environmental issues. Additionally, Vibha is a county debate champion, an orchestral musician, and plays for her school’s tennis team. In her free time, she loves volunteering, going on runs and listening to music!


Saan Rhyne
Eastern Technical High School
Baltimore County

Environmental Affairs Coordinator

Bio: Saan Rhyne is a freshman at Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore County, where he is enrolled in the Law & Public Policy program. He has been involved in student council and student advocacy since 6th grade, and previously served on MASC’s Environmental Affairs Committee. He is excited for his first year serving as appointed staff on MASC! He also serves as the Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the Baltimore County Student Councils, and is a co-founder of the Baltimore County branch of Electrify Our Future, a student-led coalition advocating for sustainable development across Maryland. Outside of student advocacy, he enjoys baseball, martial arts, cybersecurity, and technology.


Anjali Gangalam
River Hill High School
Howard County

Mental Health Coordinator

Bio: Anjali Gangalam is a senior at River Hill High School in Howard County. This is her 3rd year serving as an appointed staff member on MASC’s Executive Board and her 4th year overall as a member of MASC. Anjali is an active member of student government on both school and county levels, and she served on her county student council executive board as the Co-Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee. She is also an advocate for the environment as the Co-Chair/Founder of Electrify Our Future (a student organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of using electric as opposed to gas appliances). In her free time, Anjali loves to read and spend time with her dog. She is excited to help spread mental health awareness and advocacy!


Sofia Fraga
Chopticon High School
St. Mary’s County

Mental Health Coordinator

Bio: Sofia Fraga (she/her) is a senior at Chopticon High School in St. Mary’s County. She has served as the Student Government President, Future Business Leaders of America President, and Student Diversity President, and is involved with the Principal’s Advisory Council and B.E.S.T leaders. Outside of school, she has served on the St. Mary’s Association of Student Councils and Work2BeWell’s National Student Advisory Council dedicated to providing mental health resources and education. In her free time, Sofia enjoys spending time with her little brothers, coding, and making Pinterest boards.


Zaria Naqvi
Winston Churchill High School
Montgomery County

School Safety Liaison – The School Safety Subcabinet Advisory Board Student Member -Voting member
(Maryland Center for School Safety)

Bio: Zaria Naqvi is a rising junior at Winston Churchill High School with a deep commitment to youth advocacy and leadership. Currently in her third year as MASC appointed staff and with five years of active involvement, Zaria has held significant roles including School Safety Liaison and now serves as a voting member of the Maryland Center for School Safety Advisory Board. Additionally, she plays a pivotal role on the Maryland Youth Advisory Council Executive Board and serves as Chief of Staff of the Montgomery County Regional SGA, as well as President of Winston Churchill High School. Beyond her leadership commitments, Zaria enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, participating in hackathons, and exploring diverse genres of music.


 

Foresight Ogungbe
Eastern Technical High School
Baltimore County

School Safety Liaison – The School Safety Subcabinet
(Maryland Center for School Safety)

Bio: Foresight Ogungbe (she/her) is a Junior at Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore County, where she is in the allied health program. She is very passionate about issues concerning school safety and currently serves as the student liaison to the school safety advisory board through the Maryland Center for School Safety. In her regional student council, Foresight has previously served as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee chair as well as the Student Member of the Board Outreach Committee Chair. This year she is serving as the Baltimore County Student Council 1st Vice President. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books, specifically fantasy and romance. She also enjoys listening to afro beats and making Pinterest boards. Foresight loves diving into serious conversations and having respectful debates. She is dedicated to uplifting the student voice and ensuring inclusivity in various communities.


Michelle Fadele
Chesapeake High School
Anne Arundel County

Service Coordinator

Bio: Michelle Fadele is a junior at Chesapeake High School. She has been involved in student council since 7th grade and enjoys each moment of it throughout her years. She was glad to serve in various roles at the school and county level. She served as the Secretary of the Chesapeake High School Student Government Association (SGA), as well as the President of both the Chesapeake High School Class of 2026 and the Key Club. She is excited to serve as President for the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Council (CRASC). In her free time, Michelle enjoys photography, video editing, and spending time with her family and friends. Michelle is excited to work with the different students from across the state, and can’t wait to work with Aleesha to promote service in MASC!

 


Aleesha Bora
Gov. Thomas Johnson High School
Frederick County

Service Coordinator

Bio: Aleesha Bora (she/her) is a senior at Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick County, where she is an AP and Dual Enrollment Student. Throughout the 2024 school year, she was a certified presenter for MASC and a member of the Mental Health Committee. In addition to her commitments to MASC, she is a 2024 Carson Scholar, holds leadership positions as President of Future Business Leaders of America, Vice President of Key Club and is a MASC liaison for Student Government. Aleesha is an intern for the National Cancer Institute and is an active volunteer in her local community. In her free time, Aleesha enjoys playing tennis, traveling, watching musicals, and shopping! Aleesha is excited to undertake the role of service coordinator, as she aspires to foster a spirit of philanthropy among student leaders statewide and plans to advance volunteerism through impactful and engaging service initiatives.

 


Daphne Wang
North Hagerstown High School
Washington County

State Legislative Affairs Co-Coordinator (SLACer)

Bio: Daphne Wang (she/her) is a senior from North Hagerstown High School in Washington County. Enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program, Daphne is dedicated to applying herself to the fullest extent both inside and outside of the classroom. She is an active member of student council on the school, county, and state levels and is beyond thrilled to serve for a second year as a SLACer, in addition to serving as the Student Member of the Board of Education in Washington County. Outside of student council, Daphne is involved in various other extracurriculars such as Key Club and Academic Quiz Team. She also loves music, both playing (piano and violin) and listening.

 


Michael Gannon
Col. Zodak Magruder High School
Montgomery County

State Legislative Affairs Co-Coordinator (SLACer)

Bio: Michael Gannon (he/him) is a junior at Col. Zadok Magruder High School in Montgomery County, and has a deep rooted passion for student advocacy. This year, Michael is thrilled to join MASC as a State Legislative Affairs Coordinator. Within the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association (MCR-SGA), he has served as a National Affairs Deputy and currently serves as one of the Directors of Legislative Affairs. In school, Michael is involved in student council as a two-term Class President, hones his entrepreneurial skills as the Business Club Lead, and is on the Varsity Soccer and Track teams, specializing in defense and the 400m. In his free time, he enjoys a good Dr. Pepper and a Chipotle bowl, loves to hang out with his friends, go to the gym, and binge Game of Thrones. Michael aims to bridge the youth of Maryland with the political leaders of today to foster and drive change, leaving a lasting impact for the students of tomorrow.

 


Mara Babb
Crofton High School
Anne Arundel County

State Legislative Affairs Co-Coordinator (SLACer)

Bio: Mara Babb is a senior at Crofton High School in Anne Arundel County. This MASC Outstanding Leader recipient is a prominent member of various student government organizations, serving as the President of Crofton’s student government, and previously as the Secretary of Legislation of the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils (CRASC). This is Mara’s second year as a State Legislative Affairs Coordinator and she is excited to continue her work alongside her co-SLACers. Outside of student leadership, Mara is a member of her school’s Varsity swim team and Theater department.