Charlie lives inside the DC Beltway in Bethesda and considers the Capital City his second home. He has a deep interest in anything history related and is quick to volunteer when a historical research opportunity flies by. He is managing editor of his school newspaper and runs a fast 800 meter on the track team. His grandparents from Japan gifted him with a curiosity for cultural exploration; you’ll find him in Japanese language class on Saturdays. Charlie is one of the three student leaders for this project.

A native Washingtonian, Maddy moved to Chevy Chase DC in 2017 and wasted no time in involving herself in local issues, including an HCCDC project to explore inter-generational effects of Black land loss. At WIS since age four, Maddy has held leading roles in several plays and serves as captain of the competitive speech and “It’s Academic” trivia teams. Outside of WIS, she’s also worked as a summer campaign intern for a House representative. Next up: She’s off to Columbia University to study political science. Maddy is one of the three student leaders for this project.

Natalia at 15 has figured out how to be empathetic, considerate, and consistently reliable in all her passions, a feat people twice her age often haven’t yet squared. She loves to play baseball, shop, travel, and hang out with friends and family. She lives in Chevy Chase DC, has an older brother and has goldfish in her backyard pond. She is a huge Philadelphia Phillies fan, and when it comes to travel, her all-time favorites are Florence, Italy, and a rodeo in Cheyenne, WY.

Caroline works on her school newspaper and participates in theater and mock trials. She shares her Chevy Chase DC home with her parents, a young brother, two dogs, and a cockatiel. An avid reader and “energetic lover of rainy days,” Caroline learned the value of oral histories when she recorded a treasure trove of her grandparents’ stories as a project for a public speaking class in her freshman year.

Gardiner lives in Chevy Chase, MD, with two cats, two dogs, and two birds in addition to her parents and a sister away at college. She has a strong passion for history and research. A paper she wrote on slavery in the nation’s capital, particularly on the land where her school now sits, won first place at the 2025 National History Day DC essay contest and will advance to nationals. She writes articles for her school newspaper and enjoys coxing on her crew team. A pianist, Gardiner organizes student musicians to perform at senior centers. Her favorite summer pastime is hiking in Acadia.

Amaia describes herself as an older sister, a lifelong foodie, and an insatiable bookworm. She rows year round on the Potomac River and keeps herself busy with extracurricular activities, such as working with a GW anthropology professor and transcribing historical documents for the Smithsonian Freedmen’s Bureau project. Last summer she volunteered at IONA Senior Services, which prepared her for this project. Her favorite subject is history, seconded by English. She lives with her family and her cat, Nala, in Washington, DC.

Lucy is a life-long DC resident. She plays for Jackson-Reed’s Varsity girls soccer and lacrosse teams. She loves her studies in physical therapy and life sciences through her high school’s BioMedical Academy. While juggling a busy schedule, Lucy also prioritizes simple pleasures. “Listening to new music and cooking with my family brings me happiness,” she said.