‘Helping people learn’: Williamsville North senior wins $5,000 for immigrant storytelling project

“My dad’s from Iran. My mom’s from China. The fact that my parents came from different cultures showed me that it was possible for people from different cultures to come together and coexist,” she said.

The idea became #MyStory, a program that recounts stories of immigrants and refugees through documenting oral history, photography and a podcast. The program pairs volunteers with refugees and immigrants to produce story kits that are then presented at in-person events and available online.

“The idea is to increase awareness, and by sharing these stories, we’re hoping to both (work on) decreasing racism and sharing their culture, personal story, hardships,” the Williamsville North High School senior said.

Her program led to her being named one of 25 Prudential Emerging Visionaries, an initiative that recognizes and honors 25 high school-age students who have found meaningful solutions to financial and social struggles in their communities. Sunya, now 17, won $5,000 to build on her idea, as well as an all-expense-paid trip for a three-day summit next month where she will have the opportunity to network and connect with other young leaders.

The program has also been showcased in exhibits at SUNY Buffalo State University, Erie County Family Court, the Buffalo & Erie County Library and Sasse Museum of Art in California.

Learning about the stigma associated with mental health in immigrant communities during her time as a mental health ambassador at Bridges From Borders, an organization aimed at helping immigrants assimilate into American culture, inspired her to start the program, Sunya said.