Westchester County Youth Bureau launched its first High School Youth Passion Project Fair, a youth-led, County-wide initiative in collaboration with the White Plains Youth Bureau. Held at the County Center, the event was an opportunity to recognize the creativity, civic engagement and social innovation of youth in high school from across the region.
Spearheaded by Rhea Narayanan, a 2025 summer intern with the County Executive’s Office and White Plains Social Justice Youth Court member, the fair aimed to amplify youth voices and recognize their leadership in tackling important social issues. 33 presenters from Hartsdale, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Rye, Scarsdale, White Plains, Yonkers and Yorktown Heights showcased 19 passion projects across public health, education, social justice and sustainability in an interactive fair format. Attendees were able to circulate and engage directly with youth presenters—creating opportunities for dialogue, learning and inspiration.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “The Youth Passion Project Fair exemplifies Westchester County’s continued investment in youth empowerment, civic engagement, and community-building. In providing youth a stage to share not just ideas—but the real, measurable impacts of their work—this initiative promises to inspire attendees and future collaborations. Kudos to Rhea for her vision and to all the students who participated.”
White Plains Mayor Tom Roach said: “The Passion Project Fair exceeded all of my expectations. I was very impressed with the quality of the presentations and the depth of the projects themselves. I really enjoyed chatting with the presenters about their projects and left feeling optimistic about our future.”
Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director Ernest McFadden said: “This is more than a youth showcase—it’s a celebration of the vision, ingenuity and social commitment of Westchester’s youth. It demonstrates a wide spectrum of passion-driven solutions and underscores the importance of elevating young voices in community development.”
White Plains Youth Bureau Executive Director Frank Williams said: “The Passion Project Fair is a reflection of what happens when we invest in our young people—not just as youth, but as leaders and changemakers. These students are identifying real needs in their communities and taking initiative to address them. That kind of leadership deserves to be cultivated.”
White Plains Youth Bureau Deputy Director Elizabeth Almonte said: “Our youth are not waiting to be asked to lead—they are already leaders. This fair offers a platform to recognize their efforts, amplify their voices and show that age is no barrier to impact.”
Narayanan said: “This event isn’t just about showcasing projects—it is about celebrating what happens when young people care deeply about the world around them. For me, Hyper Local Edu was the first step in realizing how powerful youth-driven change can be, and seeing so many students bring that same energy to this fair proves that passion and purpose can start anywhere.”
