Natalie will be entering Connecticut College as a freshman this coming year. She is a lifelong Roslindale resident and the oldest of three siblings. Her interest in public service started at a young age, with two parents who are involved in the Boston community. When she started at Boston Latin School, she involved herself in clubs like UNICEF and Ladies’ Collective, which promoted community service and greater awareness of social issues. Through her volunteering at the Teen Center at Copley Library, Natalie connected with community members and worked to bring them fresh, engaging content. Natalie’s commitment to public service grew during her internship at the Office of Emergency Management at City Hall. There, she learned more about the intricacies of working in government and the importance of emergency preparedness for a city like Boston, as well as completing a comprehensive mapping project of the city’s evacuation signs. As a Topol Fellow in her senior year, she successfully planned events with other fellows to raise awareness about human rights issues across the world, such as the annual Human Rights Day at BLS. Natalie’s interest in public service and community service is what led her to working at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education under Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley, where she is learning more about public policy and community wellness.