STUDENTS LEADING THE WAY IN SERVICE Shoutout to Valentina Di Censo ’26 , who partnered with two students from University School to launch YouthServe CLE, a student-driven service board connecting high school students with volunteer opportunities across Northeast Ohio. The organization was founded with a simple goal: make it easier for students to find meaningful ways to give back. Since launching, the group has built a network of students from seven area high schools — Gilmour, University School, Hathaway Brown, Hawken, Laurel, Twinsburg, Orange and Solon. Each month, they spotlight multiple local nonprofits on their social media and organize 3-4 volunteer opportunities for students to participate in together. In just 18 months, YouthServe CLE has partnered with organizations across Cleveland, including Another Chance of Ohio, the Thea Bowman Center, Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere, Kids’ Book Bank, the West Side Market and the Kosher Food Pantry. They have also hosted gatherings where students from across these schools come together to assemble sandwiches and prepare care packages for those in need. A remarkable example of student leadership in action — and a reminder that service can start with a simple idea and grow into something that brings an entire community together. Entrepreneurship: ThinkBIG! Summit Results Each year, the Veale Foundation hosts an online business plan competition open to high school students across Northeast Ohio. After reviewing more than 100 submissions, judges selected six finalist teams to present their ideas live at the thinkBIG! Summit on March 3, pitching in front of a panel of judges, local entrepreneurs and summit attendees. Among the finalists was Valentina Di Censo ’26, who competed alongside her YouthServe co-founders from University School. Following the live presentations, Valentina’s team was named the first-place winner in the Innovation Track, earning a $3,000 prize to invest in their project. YouthServe connects area high school students with meaningful service opportunities in their communities. Two additional Gilmour students were recognized in the competition. Brody Phillip ’26 and Evan Saline ’26 e arned Honorable Mention in the Small Business category for the business plan they developed for their company, Express Custom Wear, thanks to the mentoring of entrepreneurship instructor Ms. Kendall White. They also learned that they will be receiving a microgrant from John Carroll University for their business plan.
Students came together in Gilmour's Howley Commons to assemble 500+ PB&J sandwiches for area shelters, each with a handwritten note
Valentina and her co-founders accept their prize
Evan and Brody receive Honorable Mention
Gilmour | SPRING 2026
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