KENS CARES: 2025 Champions For Change are working to help others and improve the San Antonio community

SAN ANTONIO — A special group of young people chosen as Champions For Change are determined to make life better for others in the San Antonio area.

They are team players. They stand up for what is right and advocate for causes, and now they are the champions! 

It all started with the Rowan Windham Memorial Cereal Drive. Until his death at the age of 10, Rowan Windham worked to make sure kids did not go hungry in San Antonio.

In his honor, KENS Cares and Methodist Children’s Hospital asked the public to nominate young people who exemplify the passion to serve the community.

KENS 5 is proud to recognize the 2025 Champions For Change for their compassion, leadership and inspiring work to help others.

These are their stories…

Emalee Denson, 16, has a servant’s heart and a keen sense of purpose, consistently dedicating her time to service and leadership in her school and community. She approaches every opportunity with excellence, balancing rigorous academics, leadership roles, and volunteer work, all while maintaining a high GPA. As a true leader, Emalee uplifts others, inspires her peers, and leads with humility and quiet strength.

At Randolph High School, Emalee is a member of HOSA–Future Health Professionals, advocating for teen health education and exploring her passion for healthcare. She is a member of the National Honor Society and actively involved in Top Teens of America (River City Chapter) and the National Society of Black Engineers Jr., San Antonio Chapter.

She was recently elected Vice President of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. San Antonio Chapter Teen Executive Board, where she helps direct youth-led service projects. Through Girls Inc.’s Eureka! Program, Emalee completed a summer internship with San Antonio Sports and also has participated in the Schertz Young Leaders Program. She volunteers at food distribution events, supports STEM outreach, and mentors younger students.

She has received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and was nominated for Fort Sam Houston’s Teen Volunteer of the Year.

Emalee said her parents helped her understand the importance of helping others. “Volunteering is an amazing experience,” she said. “In addition to helping others, getting involved with different organizations can help students network for career contacts and polish the skills they need to be successful.”

Joselyn Gomez says that she has always had an interest in helping kids and wants to be a special education teacher. This desire combined with a huge heart and keen sense of responsibility has helped her make a difference in the lives of others. “My parents taught me the importance of helping others,” said Joselyn, 18.

During the last couple of years, she has given up half of her summer to volunteer at C.A.M.P. (Children’s Association for Maximum Potential). CAMP strengthens and inspires individuals with disabilities and those who care for them through recreation, respite, and education. This will be the third year that she has volunteered at the summer camp in Center Point, Texas. She also gives volunteer time regularly to St. James Church, whether that means helping give out candy at Halloween or setting up furniture for church events.

The Young Women’s Leadership Academy requires community service hours from all their students, and Joselyn will end up with more than double the number of hours needed. An honor student, she already has been accepted to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

All of her community service achievements and academic honors have taken place while she has helped at home because of her father’s loss of vision due to diabetes. She helped by reading to her dad when he could not see the phone or computer. She also learned to drive early to help with family responsibilities. “We came together as a family and Joselyn was an important part of our solution,” said Joseph Gomez, her father. “Joselyn has overcome unimaginable hurdles to be an honor student and excel in community service. We are so proud of her.”

The Gomez family also found time to welcome an addition to the family when Joselyn rescued a cat, Dolly, from Animal Care Services.

For a young lady who describes herself as shy, Olivia Tomasino has very successfully overcome her shyness to impact the lives of many people.  The 17-year-old Health Careers High School junior says her parents encouraged her to be helpful, a message she received from friends and at church, too.  “Knowing that I am doing something useful has really motivated me,” she said.

Her dedication and commitment began at school where she served as class treasurer for two years.   As treasurer she organized and decorated this year’s Homecoming Dance, Christmas Food Drive and Spring Food Drive.   Her leadership continued as founding treasurer for the Latin American Students Organization and now as club president.  Her work includes arranging for healthcare professionals of Latin descent as meeting speakers.  A member of the National Honor Society, she was named Member of the Month for her volunteer efforts.

Olivia is very active with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, volunteering her time at the church food pantry.   In addition to being a church Vestry member, she is a leader in the Care for Strangers group, which focuses on people experiencing homelessness, and is in charge of organizing the St. Andrews Booth at this year’s San Antonio Pride Festival.  She also loves volunteering at the Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (C.A.M.P.) summer camp for children and adults with disabilities and will volunteer there again this summer.

A legacy of the medical and legal professions runs in Olivia’s family.   She plans to pursue a law degree, possibly focusing on medical law.   Olivia is considering volunteering her time this summer at a law firm or with RAICES Refugee and Immigrant Legal Services.

“Olivia is a great kid,” said Maureen Tomasino, her mother.   “We are blessed with a daughter who really loves to learn and serve.”

Olivia helps furry friends, too, rescuing two pitties, Buddy and Rosie.  She plans to choose an animal welfare organization as the recipient of her Champions for Change charity donation.

Siddharth Tripathi, 16, is co-founder of Hope for Triumph, a nonprofit born from the personal pain of his mother’s stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis and built on a foundation of compassion, resilience and action. 

 “I was shocked by my mother’s diagnosis,” Siddharth said. “I received support from family, friends and the community.  On the journey, I noticed that there are things beyond medical treatment that people need, such as emotional support and help to keep your family stable.  That led to Hope for Triumph.”

The initiative reflected Siddharth’s talent for motivating others.   Under his leadership, the organization has expanded to three chapters nationwide with over 200 dedicated volunteers in San Antonio.  His mission has already touched over 140,000 lives through cancer awareness and prevention outreach.  Siddharth has led transformative community initiatives like the Walk Your Worries Away event, citywide food drives, and the distribution of 5,000 Hope in a Kit care packages to hospitals.  He spearheaded over 500 hours of free tutoring for children impacted by cancer and dedicated 320 hours to research at the VA hospital, earning recognition as a two-time State Science Fair finalist.

His honors include the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest national civilian award for distinguished achievements and contributions; the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award, a national award recognizing individuals for their contributions in volunteer service; and the City of San Antonio Appreciation Certificate for raising cancer awareness.

The Ronald Reagan High School junior says he is grateful for what the community has done for him.   “I hope I can keep giving back,’ he said.

A remarkable young man, Ezra Sharon exemplifies leadership, compassion and a deep commitment to community service.    He embodies what it means to be a true servant leader, making a lasting difference in the lives of others through his selflessness and unwavering determination.

Ezra, 18 and a senior at Tom C. Clark High School, began his journey of service as a five-year-old when he joined the Cub Scouts.  “Being a Scout led me to community service,” said Ezra.  “I got into scouting because I thought camping would be fun but Scouting has been so much more.”

After starting as a five-year-old, Ezra grew into a leader, mentoring younger Scouts and organizing service projects.   Leading by example, he consistently lived up to the values of the Scout Oath and Law in all areas of his life and has been an active and engaged member of the Scouting community.   His commitment to Scouting culminated it reaching the prestigious designation of Eagle Scout on this 18th birthday, a milestone that reflects not only his dedication but also his resilience and focus over many years.

His Eagle Scout project was especially meaningful, inspired by his own beginnings as a micro preemie, a baby born weighing less than 750 grams or before 26 weeks.  With empathy and vision, Ezra created care packages for families being discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Methodist Children’s Hospital.  Ezra also built a bench for the Zoe Prayer Garden there, providing families with a peaceful place to reflect and find solace.

“Ezra leads not for recognition, but because he genuinely cares,” said Audrey Milligan, his mother.  ‘What truly sets Ezra apart is his consistency in service—from elementary school through his senior year in high school.   He is a stellar example of the impact one young person can make through dedication, empathy and purpose.”

Beyond Scouting, Erza is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Junior Varsity Orchestra and the Varsity Bowling Team.

“Giving back gives me a great feeling,” said Ezra.  “Don’t hesitate.  When a community service opportunity appears, take it.”