empowerminds
The Division of Youth Programs
Leadership Team | 2025-26
Rachit Chandrakul
Founder & Program Director, Atkins '27 |
North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics
Rachit Chandrakul is a junior at Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. He is proactively involved in academic and extracurricular activities, taking many advanced courses while participating in numerous STEM competitions. Rachit was the recipient of the 2024 NC Stockholm Junior Water Prize and was a national finalist in the 2024 USA Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition. He has been participating in science fairs since the 1st grade, winning awards at the district, regional, and state levels. Rachit aspires to pursue a PhD in pharmacology, with additional interests in astrophysics and astrobiology. As a young researcher, Rachit is founder of the Atkins International Research Olympiad (IRO) Research Club, teaching students about professional research, and has completed extensive research at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM). Ultimately, Rachit hopes to contribute to the emerging field of drug discovery, nanomedicine, and space medicine. As Founder & Program Director of the D.Y.P., Rachit aims to work to help other students excel in their academic and extracurricular journeys.
Isaac Metts
Associate Director, Atkins '27
Isaac Metts is a junior at Simon G. Atkins Academic and Technology High School. He is rigorously involved in a myriad of academic and technical activities both in and outside of school, being an active member of the International Research Olympiad and enrolled in challenging courses. As a former recipient of the Winston-Salem Human Relations Award and part-time employee of Panera Bread, he desires to uplift the community with service and hardwork, vivaciously aspiring to study cardiology and improve the outcome of heart failure patients. Isaac also shares a deep fascination with music theory and composition, participating in the annual All-County and All-District band competitions and regularly practicing on both piano and saxophone. His hobbies include studying Spanish, Chinese, biology, and biochemistry. As a passionate and dedicated student, Isaac hopes to instill students with curiosity and inspire future leaders as Associate Director of the D.Y.P. team at empowerminds.
Valerie Ebhodaghe
Communications Chair, RJ Reynolds '27
Valerie Ebhodaghe is a high school junior at RJ Reynolds and year-round student athlete for the school’s Volleyball and Indoor/Outdoor Track teams. She is also a violinist in the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony and enjoys expressing herself creatively through the performing arts, as she also participates in the annual All County and Western Regional Orchestra programs. Her participation in such extracurricular activities has taught her the importance of hard work and is the reason why, as the Communications Chair for empowerminds, she is willing to work diligently to help empower others by providing them with access to the tools and guidance needed for their success. As a proactive student intrigued by her own rigorous courses, Valerie hopes to help inspire others to test their limits and grow not only as students but as global citizens through her contributions and collaborative skills with the empowerminds D.Y.P. team.
Lisa Rose
Product Manager
Write a bio for each team member. Make it short and informative to keep your visitors engaged.
Lisa Rose
Product Manager
Write a bio for each team member. Make it short and informative to keep your visitors engaged.
Caitlin Calicott
Community Operations Co-Chair, Mt. Tabor '27
Caitlin Calicott is a Junior at Mount Tabor Highschool. She is a prominent figure in the community with leadership positions in various clubs as well as the varsity tennis team. She is a member of the National and Science Honors Society, and holds a head chair position within the National English Honor Society. Caitlin plans to major in Business with a minor in Sustainability. In her free time she enjoys painting, graphic design, and has recently had her writing published. Caitlin is a Crosby Scholars Leader, allowing her to provide her fellow peers with access to tutoring, life skills training, and school supplies. She firmly believes that education is vital to success and should be available to all. Caitlin hopes to continue this mission through empowerminds and looks forward to using her connections and skills for the benefit of the community.
John Anderson
Community Operations Co-Chair, Mt. Tabor '27
John Anderson is a student at Mount Tabor High School in the class of 2027. He is active in many academic and extracurricular activities including the National, Science, and Math Honor Societies, tennis, cross country, and a leader on his church worship team. John also owns and runs a landscaping business, referees basketball locally, volunteers at his church, and participates in several preschool programs. He intends on pursuing his deep interest in science and math in the medical field as an orthopedic doctor. He enjoys using his talents to benefit those around him and looks forward to contributing his time, talents, and resources to help others through empowerminds. As a high achieving student engaged in rigorous classes, John hopes to inspire and elevate other students via empowerminds.