Our Team
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Selin Kocalar, Founder + PresidentI am a sophomore at Leigh High School. Growing up, I was always into crafts and knitting in particular, which I learned from my grandmother and my third grade teacher. I started Woolly Wishes as a way to connect back to my Middle Eastern heritage and to support the refugee crisis in my family's country, Turkey. I love working with children, both in my community and across the globe, and am constantly inspired by their creativity and ingenuity. In the future, I aspire to pursue a career in bioengineering, which bridges technology, scientific research, and medicine.
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Haritha Srikanth, co-Director of OutreachI am an incoming senior at Stevenson High School. I was drawn towards Woolly Wishes as I am inspired by the combining theme of utilizing both craft and medicine initiatives to plaster smiles and give back to my community. In my spare time, I love to run, read, and bake/cook. At school, I take initiative promoting social-emotional well being through clubs such as Peer Helpers, Student Council, and HOSA. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in medicine through a combination of Psychology and Neuroscience.
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Hani Cho, co-Director of OutreachI am an incoming junior attending Stevenson High School. When I was 13 years old, I taught myself to knit with the help of YouTube. What really attracted me to Woolly Wishes was the combination of knitting (an art I love) and the way it gave back to the community. In my spare time, I love to paint landscapes, draw, read and bake! After school, I’m active in HOSA, Animal Welfare club, and track. Hopefully in the future, I will enter medical school and go into dermatology.
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Julea Wong, co-Director of FinancesI am a grade 11 student at Moscrop Secondary. My aunt first taught me how to crochet when I was 10, and this drew me to Woolly Wishes as it combines two things I love doing, crocheting and helping others. At school, I am an active member of the leadership and mentorship program. In my spare time I love to bake, volunteer around my community and play the flute! In the future, I hope to pursue a career in pediatrics.
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Trisha Gannu, co-Director of FinancesI am a rising junior and I attend Adlai E. Stevenson High School. I was drawn towards Woolly Wishes because it allows me to give back to the community while also allowing me to pursue my love for arts and crafts. At school, I’m a member of several STEM-related clubs such as HOSA, Future Doctors of America, TEAMS/ACES, and science fair. Additionally, in my freetime, I partake in several activities like baking, volunteering, and drawing. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in the medical field.
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Katherine Haines, Event OrganizerI am a grade 12 student at Aurora High School. My grandmother and aunts taught me to knit when I was 12. I was drawn to Woolly Wishes because I was looking for a way to further impact my community with other students like me. At school, I run 3 clubs, Music Council, Equity Council and Law Club. In my spare time, I play the flute in the school band, and the piano. In the future, I will pursue a career in medical research as a biomedical engineer.
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