Eleanor Bogart-Stuart culture editor
Many students spend their free time focusing on grades, relationships, or even partying. Sophomore Shayan Alavy is one of the few who spends his free time for something that will help the greater good: community service.
Meet Operation USA: A non profit charity organization designed to support and advance third world countries across the globe which Alavy is a youth ambassador for. Operation U.S.A. has a focus on disaster relief and recovery with an emphasis on health and education for children and families.Currently, the organization is providing relief in Nepal, due to the recent earthquake. after the tragic earthquake that happened a couple of weeks ago.
“I play a leadership role in empowering young people like myself and encouraging them to care about global issues and relief works through outreach programs,” Alavy said.
As well as raising aid for those in need, Operation U.S.A. and its ambassadors are on a mission to create a bridge of communication between areas affected by natural disasters. This “bridge” is achieved with two GoPro cameras, one in the third world country and the second in a place where an ambassador can communicate. These specialized GoPros have the ability to live stream between these two countries. These sessions are designed to encourage a better understanding of what it’s like to live in an underprivileged nation, and have residents of third world countries be able to share their experiences with the rest of the world.

Alavy is responsible for creating the standardized questions that will be used during these communication sessions. The program will be launched this later this year, and Alavy is currently planning an event to raise money for it.
“I am planning on hosting a dance-a-thon to raise money to implement the communication program. With the aid of members from my Make a Change Club, we hope to raise $5,000 dollars, all of which will be used toward the communication project,” Alavy said.
Although Alavy plays a vital role in its creation, he can’t see himself pursuing Operation U.S.A. as a future career. Instead, he wants to serve the community in another way: as a doctor. Alavy himself is plays a wide range of instruments, including piano, guitar and viola. As well as being an ambassador for Operation U.S.A., He’s currently composing a piano piece that will be accompanying an upcoming Project U.S.A. promotional video.
“I am so proud to be a part of such a great opportunity. I am continuously learning about other countries, and I feel as though my work has a significant impact on many people throughout the world,” Alavy said.