Rockstar Volunteer Advocates For Human Rights

Aly Gupta

▪ Age: 18

▪  School: Deerfield High School (DHS)

▪ Accomplishment: Aly Gupta is involved in a variety of student groups that help to better the community through activism and volunteer work. DHS's Human Rights club is an important outlet for students like Gupta to raise awareness about issues and conflicts taking place in other parts of the world.

"The biggest thing, I believe, that we want to accomplish is to make everyone aware of the numerous injustices that are happening around the world," Gupta said.

Currently, the human rights club is helping support Invisible Children, an organization that provides support for child soldiers and refugees from central Africa.  

Gupta is also interested in raising awareness of animal rights issues. Along with DHS teacher Mr. Bleck and several other seniors, Gupta started the school's Animal Rights Club. She works at Heartland Animal Shelter in Northbrook, a no-kill shelter that takes in animals in poor health. In addition, Gupta believes it is important to support those who are physically or mentally disabled, volunteering at the Center for Enriched Living, an independent agency that provides a variety of programs for people who have developmental disabilities. She is also a member of , a school club for kids with special needs, and worked one-on-one with her "buddy" during her gym period.

▪ Key to Awesomeness: "I volunteer because I can," Gupta said. "I have the resources that will allow me to better the world. Not everyone in the world is fortunate enough to go home to a house everyday or walk to school without the fear of being attacked. Because I have these privileges, I feel that it is my duty to help."

The more Gupta became involved with her clubs and groups, the more passionate she became about the causes she was supporting. "Every individual has so much potential that only needs a little push to be released," she said.