Youth Leadership at THRIVE Youth Coalition

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Kyna Patel is a senior at Saint Charles East High School with a passion for advocacy and its intersection with medicine and technology. As a co-founder of the THRIVE Youth Coalition, she empowers her peers to prioritize emotional well-being and take an active role in creating positive change in their communities.

Kyna plays a key role in organizing and leading youth-led initiatives throughout the school year and summer. She has been instrumental in planning the THRIVE Dance-a-thon, coordinating volunteer events at Lazarus House in St. Charles (a local shelter supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness), and creating a teen-led time capsule to preserve the voices and experiences of today’s youth.

She also supports day-to-day operations by designing and publishing event flyers, managing social media communications, and creating Google Forms for event signups.

Known for her strong organizational skills and steady leadership, Kyna helps guide the youth group’s direction while bringing energy and structure to each initiative.

Outside of THRIVE, Kyna contributes to scientific research at Argonne National Laboratory and explores the intersection of medicine and technology through her involvement in robotics and STEM. Her work reflects a deep commitment to innovation, advocacy, and building a healthier future for young people.