Leadership

Together We Grow

Strong Mind & Strong Body

Founder/President

Baylee Marcin

Baylee Marcin is a creative artist and confident public speaker with a strong passion for leadership and community service. An active member of her high school’s NJHS and debate club, she participates in a variety of service initiatives and school activities. Baylee has earned distinguished musical honors in the past couple of years. As the founder of SMILE Troupe, she designs youth-centered events that promote connection, positivity, and inclusion. She is deeply committed to uplifting others and ensuring that every SMILE Troupe experience is welcoming, engaging, and memorable.

Founder/Vice President

Melanie Bai

Melanie Bai is a distinguished freshman at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, recognized for her academic excellence, artistic versatility, and leadership initiative. As a trained dancer, dedicated pianist, and active member of the Rangerettes drill team, she demonstrates discipline, precision, and strong performance skills across multiple artistic disciplines and has won many awards. She is the Founder and Vice President of the SMILE troupe, where she plays a key role in program development, team coordination, and fostering a positive, creative environment for members. She values collaboration and community and enjoys spending time with friends while pursuing personal growth in both the arts and academics.

Founder/Treasurer

Lydia Marcin

Lydia is a gifted cellist and public speaker who thrives in both creative and active pursuits.  She is passionate about music, reading, socializing, and embracing new challenges that help her grow as both a leader and an artist. As the Founder and Treasurer of SMILE Troupe, Lydia plays a key role in shaping the organization by managing finances, helping plan events, and bringing people together through her leadership and cello playing.

Co-Founder/Director of Social Media

Ethan Jia

Ethan Jia is a 13-year-old who participates in various musical, athletic, and academic activities. He has been playing the violin for over 6 years and has made the All-Region Orchestra for 3 years in a row. In addition, he has played multiple sports before including basketball for 4 years and volleyball for 2 years. He has always liked being social and friendly and would like to spread growth and kindness anywhere he goes. 

Secretary

Diya Dani

Diya Dani is a 9th-grade student at Lowery Freshman Center who’s passionate about learning, leadership, and community impact. She’s fluent in Spanish, has practiced piano for four years, and trains in taekwondo, balancing academics with artistic and athletic discipline. Diya is a member of National Junior High Society and stays involved through service, mentorship, and school activities. She brings a driven yet down-to-earth energy to every project and is excited to contribute her skills and creativity to this nonprofit as it grows. 

Director of Athletics

Ryan Jiang

Ryan Jiang is a 14-year-old athlete who participates in various sports, including volleyball, basketball, and taekwondo. He has played the violin for 2.5 years and was a member of the 2024-2025 Region 25 Bach Orchestra. Ryan and his team won the Plano Sports Authority (PSA) volleyball championship, and he holds a second-degree black belt in taekwondo. He has a passion for coaching children and has coached youth volleyball to spread the joy of athletics. Ryan also wants to make people become better!

Director of Membership

Thomas Wu

Thomas Wu is a current freshman at Lovejoy High School. He is a percussionist in the Wind Symphony band as well as the Lovejoy Symphony Orchestra. Outside of school, he does vocal arts and plays basketball. He is also a member of the Teen Texas Astronomical Society. There, he currently holds the position of Vice President of Membership. 

Director of Orchestra

Luna Zhang

Luna plays the violin and has been a member of Allen’s top orchestra for over four years. Her experience in the orchestra has helped her develop teamwork and a strong sense of responsibility. In addition, this experience gives her the chance to connect with others who share her passion for music. Luna is excited to contribute her experience to support the growth of fellow students and help build an amazing, music-focused community. 

Founding Director of Innovation & Design

Raymond Zhang

Founding Director of Model UN

Zhanah Boone

Zhanah Boone, a junior from Franklin High School in TN, who has been doing Model United Nations since middle school. Zhanah has been doing Model UN (MUN) through the YMCA for 6 years. She also had done Youth in Government (YIG). In her spare time, she works at Mexican restaurant to save up for her college and gain some real life experience. 

Founding Director of Dungeons & Dragons

Kayden Wang

Kayden Wang is a freshman at Lovejoy High School with a wide range of interests. He plays the cello in the Chamber Orchestra and participates in both the varsity swimming team and a robotics team. Kayden has been a Dungeon Master for Dungeons & Dragons for approximately three years, where he enjoys storytelling, world-building, and leadership. He also has a strong interest in writing and science, particularly paleontology. 

Founding Director of Entrepreneurship

Raymond Wu

Raymond Wu, a high school junior who enjoys a balanced and active daily life. He loves listening to classical music and discovering pieces that inspire or relax me. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends, playing games, and sharing good food together. He values time spent connecting with people and creating simple, happy moments. Music is an important part of his life, but he also enjoys exploring interests beyond it. He is curious, open-minded, and always eager to try new things. Through everyday experiences, he continue to grow and learn about himself and the world.

Founding Director of Financial Literature

Alina Denbleyker

Alina Denbleyker, a junior in Allen Highschool. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and golf, as well as the piano. She has a strong interest in the medical field and aspire to become a neuroscientist in the future. Through her involvement in YSL US (Youth Sports Leadership), contributing once as a director and now the president, she has expanded her leadership, skill-building, and responsibility by community services, coaching and training, and teamwork. Additionally, she has been a student-athlete for the Allen Tennis team for two consecutive years, which has strengthened my sportsmanship, teamwork, and, most importantly, her leadership skills. Alina is very excited to be part of SMILE Troupe!

Founding Director of STEM

Dereck Li

Director of STEM

Michael Cui

Founding Director of Highland Village Branch

Cora Wu

Cora Wu, a eighth grader currently at Briar hill Middle School, loves creative activities, especially drawing. She is also interested in biology, and forensics is her favorite topic. Enjoys learning new things and exploring different ideas. Because she has been to a few different schools, she adapts quickly to new places. She is eager to meet new people and make friends.  

Co-Founding Director of Highland Village Branch

Victor He

Victor He, a eighth grader currently in Briar hill Middle School, likes to play baseball and all kinds of sports. He is interested in math and science, especially interested in chemistry related areas.  He enjoys solving problems and helping others. He is efficient in his work and can cooperate with others to achieve goals. He also has an experience in working with people. While working with people that he doesn’t know  he gets to learn something from them.

Athletics Manager

Winnie Yuen

Winnie plays quite a few sports in the past and hockey is the only one she loves the most. She will be dedicated to fostering a high-performing culture that prioritize student-athlete, development and competitive excellence. Together, SMILE Troupe will work toward a clear vision for our teams while maintaining a supportive, distraction-free environment for athletes to excel. Winnie is very excited to meet with everyone soon and hitting the ground running for the 2026 season. 

Art Manager

Ashley Cui

Membership Manager

Max Huckaby

Luna plays the violin and has been a member of Allen’s top orchestra for over four years. Her experience in the orchestra has helped her develop teamwork and a strong sense of responsibility. In addition, this experience gives her the chance to connect with others who share her passion for music. Luna is excited to contribute her experience to support the growth of fellow students and help build an amazing, music-focused community.