Emily Simon
Hey! I’m Emily, a junior at Burlingame High School and co-founder of Keep It Kind. I’ve always been the kind of person who pushes myself, whether it’s in the classroom, on the tennis court, or leading a club.
Starting Keep It Kind has changed how I see challenges in my life. As a co-founder and president, I’ve learned what true leadership means from organizing events and taking on responsibility to showing up even when things get messy.
One of the biggest lessons has been knowing that even when you feel small, you’re never powerless. Being a part of this organization has made me more resilient. It’s taught me to lead with compassion, to keep showing up, and to believe that I can make a difference even when things are hard or uncertain. That mindset has shaped how I handle everything from academic stress to real-life setbacks.
My advice to other teens who want to make a difference? Don’t overthink it. Just start. You don’t need a big platform or a perfect plan. What matters most is that you care, you act, and you stick with it. That’s where real impact starts.
A little bit about me
This year, AP U.S. History is my favorite class (yes, really). I love how it challenges me to think critically and connect the past to what’s happening now. Outside of school, sports have been a huge part of my life. I played on the freshman soccer team, the freshman and JV volleyball teams, and I’m now on the Varsity tennis team, which has been an exciting new challenge. Outside of school sports, I’ve played both soccer and volleyball , though I’ve had to narrow down my commitments as high school has gotten busier.
I also work as a hostess at a local restaurant, which has taught me a lot about people, how to stay calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and show up with confidence.
One of the things I’m most proud of is leading the Keep It Kind club at my school. It’s so rewarding to bring the mission of kindness and community into a place where we’re all trying to find our place and our voice. I also serve as secretary of the Jewish Club at BHS, which has helped me connect more deeply with my culture and give back in a way that feels personal.
Because of these experiences, I’ve become a lot more resilient. When obstacles pop up—school, personal, or otherwise—I don’t back down. Instead, I face them head-on, knowing that I am equipped with the skills to overcome anything. The work I do with Keep It Kind, reminds me I’m capable of more than I often believe, to keep pushing myself, embrace challenges, and make serving with kindness a part of not only what I do but who I am.
In the future, I see myself studying something people-oriented, like business or marketing. I hope to graduate from a great college, build a career I love, and have the freedom to support both myself and the causes I care about. And no matter where life takes me, I know that giving back will always be a core part of who I am.