TIPS for Teens
Our Mission
To connect teens across the country, one letter at a time
LEARN
from interesting, qualified people in the community
WRITE LETTERS
to Things, Ideas, People, and Self in a way that reflects on the topic
SHARE YOUR STORY
with others, in a safe and understanding space
CONNECT
with the participants, hosts, and yourself in a deep and meaningful way!
HOW WE STARTED
Originating in 2020, TIPS for Teens was created to make a space for teens to connect and grow at UHeights. Local Seattle teen, Anika Tara Rao, pioneered this program with our Program Manager and now facilitates our weekly meetings.
Every TIPS for Teens meeting features guest speakers from our local community. Using Dr. Anu Taranath's letter-writing technique of TIPS (writing to things, ideas, people, and self), teens engage in conversation and reflect on the session by writing a letter at the end of each meeting and talking to each other about what it brought up for them.
MEET THE TEAM
Anika Tara Rao is the facilitator for TIPS. She will be starting 11th grade this Fall at Shorecrest High School. She enjoys singing/songwriting, spending time in nature, fashion, and creating vegan food. Anika was inspired by her mom Dr. Anu Taranath to create safe spaces for talking about sometimes uncomfortable topics. She loves leadership and is very excited and thankful to be able to connect with you all!
ANIKA TARA RAO
PAST GUEST SPEAKERS
Special thanks to all our guest speakers
Dr. Anu Taranath
Faculty, University of Washington and Racial Equity Consultant
Topic: Introduction to TIPS
Amy Hirayama
National Board Certified Teacher, Graduate Student
Topic: Social Justice in Education
Sasha Duttchoudhury
Graduate Student, Therapist-in-training
Topic: Family Can Be Chosen
Dr. Bhavna Shamasundar
Professor of Public Health at Occidental College
Topic: The Environmental Injustice of Beauty
Vega Subramaniam
Co-founder and Principal of Vega Mala Consulting
Topic: Finding Your Voice: Leadership For the New Generation
Maurianna Zingarelli
Education Program Manager at Village Theatre
Topic: What Does Belonging Mean to You?
Kendra Azari
Seattle Artist, Activist, and Arts Educator
Topic: Success and Winning, Failure and Losing
Dr. Sahar Romani
Poet and Educator
Topic: What's in a Name: Exploring Self Through Poetry
Shana Bestock
Producing Artistic Director at Penguin Productions
Topic: Growing Outside Your Comfort Zone
Divya Ramachandra
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Topic: Who am I? Exploring Intersectional Identities
Brandon Maust
Pediatrician in Seattle, Washington
Topic: Take Charge of Your Health
Neli Jasuja
Program Manager and Facilitator at Young Women Empowered
Topic: Life Lessons in the Garden
Nat Mengist
Researcher, Educator, Gardener, and Consultant
Topic: Dr. Flowers: What Plants Can Teach Us
Samuel Williams
Seattle Educator Specializing in Black History
Topic: Black History in Seattle
Uma Rao
Founder of Devi Consults
Topic: Using TIPS to Understand Abolition
Monica Cortes Viharo
Actor and Public Speaking Consultant
Topic: Public Speaking and Performance in Everyday Life
Donna Austin
Retired Nurse and Vocalist at Seattle Peace Chorus
Topic: The Power of Your Vote: Exploring Democracy & Politics
Cynthia Anderson
Director of Learning Communications at CHID UW
Topic: An Attitude for Gratitude
Naveen Valluri
Principal Product Manager, Microsoft AI team
Topic: Finding Grounding Amidst Change
Courtney J Jackson
Program Manager of The Doorway Project
Topic: Forgiveness and Accountability
Evan Fitzgerald and Jasmine Pel
UW Graduates, Previous UHeights Interns
Topic: Looking Ahead: Exploring Non-traditional Career Paths
Meron Weldemariam
Shorecrest High School Student, Youth Activist
Topic: The Tigray Genocide: The Current Crisis in Ethiopia
Interested in being a teen speaker? Fill out this form!
WHAT TEENS ARE SAYING
SARINA BHAT
PARTICIPANT
When we write our letters to things, ideas, people, or self, not only do we get an opportunity to reflect on the prior discussion, but we also get a chance to expand further into our own thoughts for the topic.
AJA NIJE
PARTICIPANT
This space is so unique because it's created by a teen for teens. TIPS for Teens really focuses on having conversations youth would be interested in. TIPS for Teens helped me discover a passion for writing I didn't even know I had!
ANIKA RAO
FACILITATOR
TIPS, you are glorious! You have opened us up to a world of wonders. The experience of facilitating you has been heart-warming, and it is truly an honor that I can host this program and connect with this community.