About The Student Team

Desmond Opoku-Ware is a senior at Walter Payton College Prep and serves as the Director of Development for CSRC. At Payton, Desmond plays basketball and runs track. Outside of athletics, Desmond works with many clubs including Boys with Books (a club dedicated to sparking a passion for reading in underprivileged individuals), Special Olympics/Best Buddies(building friendships with children with disabilities and teaching/helping them play sports ), and he is a Co-president of the Work Foundation ( Help under resourced kids in their academic journeys). After high school, Desmond strives to major in computer science! 

"Greetings! I’m Desmond Opoku-Ware, the Director of Development for CSRC. As the child of two immigrants and a member of a predominantly immigrant community, I have witnessed both the challenges and resilience of those seeking a better life in a new country. CSRC gives me the opportunity to support and uplift this often-overlooked community—just as others once supported mine—while working toward a more inclusive and compassionate world."

Diego del Castillo is currently a Junior attending Walter Payton College Prep. Apart from serving on the executive board for the CSRC, he also serves as the Action Chair for Payton's Latin American Coalition, Vice President of Allies & Immigrants Club, and a bilingual mentor and tutor for both Salazar's Futures and Boys with Books club. After high school, Diego intends to follow a career path into immigration law after majoring in political science or public policy at a prestigious university. Outside of school, Diego is an ambassador for the Coalition of Advocates for Undocumented Students' Education, frequently volunteers at the Common Pantry and enjoys playing lacrosse!  

"Hey, I'm Diego and I'm a junior at Payton. I serve as the Director of Internal Management and Expansion for the Chicago Student Refugee Coalition. CSRC stood out to me most because of my experience working with immigrants and refugees alike. I enjoy doing what I can for these communities so that one day, these children can experience the same stability and fortune that many of us are lucky enough to experience today."

Hi, I'm Brady Eng and I'm a junior at Walter Payton. I'm the Director of Outreach and Partnerships at the Chicago Student Refugee Coalition. Outside of school, I enjoy playing sports, hanging out with my dog, Hunter, and spending time with my friends. Through my work with the CSRC, I've learned the significance of our work and have become more and more passionate every day. Our work helps to support the lives of student refugees all around the Chicagoland area!

Keller McGovern is a junior at Walter Payton College Prep and serves as the Chicago Student Refugee Coalition's vice president of fundraising. He plays varsity soccer and basketball and will play any chance he gets. In addition to Basketball and Soccer, he is the vice president and co-founder of the Walter Payton Irish Club! Outside of school, he plays AAU basketball for Adidas All-In Athletics. After high school, he hopes to pursue finance in college.

“Hello! My name is Keller McGovern and I’m a Junior at Walter Payton. I’m the vice president of fundraising at the CSRC. I love to play sports like basketball and soccer. I also love listening to music, meeting new and hanging out with my friends. I believe this organization is very Important in making changes for Chicago! "

Nimay Piparia is a Sophomore attending Walter Payton College Prep. Nimay loves to work with his classmates and is very motivated in school. He is involved in many clubs including the Payton dance team, Masti, South Asian American Club. He loves playing soccer and is on the team for Payton. In his life after high school, he wants to pursue a career in finance and economics. 

 "Hey everyone, I am Nimay and I'm a sophomore at Payton. I am passionate in the classroom and outside of the classroom including many clubs and sports. I am the Vice President of Research and Grants for CSRC. I think CSRC is a great way to build community within Chicago so we can all grow together."

 -Nimay Piparia

Diego Vazquez is currently a Junior at Walter Payton College Prep. He loves interacting with and learning from new people in and outside the classroom. Diego also appreciates opportunities to expose himself to different cultures and communities that expand his way of thinking. As a leader of the Recycling club and a member of other non-profit organizations at Payton, such as Team Sweetness and Cradles to Crayons, Diego loves giving back or helping out in any way he can. Outside of school, he boxes and likes spending time with family and friends. After high school, he aims to pursue a major in anthropology.   

“Hey, I’m Diego Vazquez, the Vice President of Data Analysis here at Chicago Student Refugee Coalition. My motivation and passion for what we do here at CSRC stems from curiosity. Every day after taking the bus home from boxing, I would see a line stretching a block long of immigrant families collecting aid from a Human Service Department building near my house. Not only is my mother also an immigrant, but she insisted I find a way to help. So, I reflected on how fortunate I was and felt I had a duty to give back.” 

 - Diego Vazquez

Will Glunz is a junior at Walter Payton College Preparatory located in Old Town, Chicago.  He serves as the Vice President of Internal Communication of the Chicago Student Refugee Coalition. He is a member of the Walter Payton Soccer, Basketball, and Tennis team.  He is also the President of the Best Buddies chapter and the Special Olympics chapter at Payton.  Outside of school he is a caddy at Bob'O Link Golf Course and he works for his Parish Rectory.

"My name is Will and I am the Vice President of Internal Communication at Chicago Student Refugee Coalition.  When I became a member of this club, I never imagined the impact I would have on my cities community.  The amount of friendships and connections I have created is vast.  I belive that friendships and conections are so important and life and provide you with a support system where you can help other and otherts can help you.  I look forward to the growing impact we will have on our communties and communties all over the country." 

Matthew Lerch is a Junior attending Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago. He is a hardworking student who is extremely passionate about learning. At Payton, Matthew is a very involved member of his school community. He has been a part of the Payton soccer team for 3 years along with being a dedicated member of the Cradles to Crayons Club and the Boys with Books Club. After high school, Matthew hopes to pursue a career in finance!  

"I serve as the Vice President of Promotion for CSRC. Volunteering at events, I have been able to see the substantial impact this organization has on refugee students. CSRC fosters a community built on empathy, inclusivity, and growth, ensuring each student feels seen and welcomed. These opportunities have allowed me to meet a diverse group of passionate students and connect with them through our shared values. This organization has done tremendous work in creating a strong youth community, and I hope to continue developing its mission."