Youth Azerbaijan Society of America

Javid Mursalov, a 17-year-old Azerbaijani-American, has been elected as a co-president of the Youth of ASA for 2024 by the ASA board members.

Born in New York City in 2007 to first-generation immigrant parents who relocated to the United States in the early 2000s, Javid is currently a Junior at Bergen County Academies, focusing on Engineering.

Actively involved in the Azerbaijani community, Javid seizes every opportunity to volunteer for ASA in various capacities. Recently, he delivered a speech on Wall Street and participated in raising the flag on the 105th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Furthermore, Javid volunteered during a heritage day at his sister’s school, where he engaged multiple fifth-grade classes with presentations about Azerbaijan, featuring fun facts and trivia games.

Javid's passion lies in sharing his culture and educating peers about Azerbaijan. To pursue this passion, he spearheaded the creation of the Cultural Unity Club with two classmates at his school, aiming to unite students while fostering the exchange of cultural knowledge. Within a week of its inception, the club enlisted over 20 students with consistent weekly participation. Currently, Javid is collaborating with classmates of Turkish heritage to stage a Turkish-Azerbaijani performance for the school’s cultural dance day.

Looking ahead, Javid plans to continue collaborating with other Azerbaijani-American students to represent the Youth of ASA and expand its membership base.

Leila Azimov is a 17-year-old Azerbaijani-American who was elected by ASA board members to be co-president and media director for Youth of ASA for 2023 and 2024. Leila is a driven individual with robust experience in various fields such as hospitality, education, sports coaching, secretarial work, and volunteering.

Residing in Glastonbury, CT, Leila has a strong commitment to the Azerbaijani community. The Glastonbury School District hosts an international day every year, and Leila has represented Azerbaijan every year since 2019. For the past three years, Leila has also volunteered at the yearly ASA-sponsored reunion of American families who have adopted children from Azerbaijan. Leila is proud of her heritage, promoting and volunteering for ASA when possible.

Since August 2023, she has been working as a Math Tutor at Mathnasium and an Assistant Tennis Coach at the Glastonbury Tennis Club. On top of her work commitments, Leila is involved in volunteer work. She spearheads a unified theatre program which provides a space for theater collaboration among differently-abled high schoolers. She has also worked as a counselor in the Hartford County 4-H Camp, providing a home-like experience for camp attendees.

Leila's academic strength is underlined by her memberships in the National Honors Society, Math Honors Society, National Society of High School Scholars, the World Language Honor Society and, of course, ASA. Her strong leadership skills, commitment to education, and community engagement mark her as an accomplished individual.

Leila plans to attend university next year, with a major in Digital Marketing.

Osman Seid is a proud native Azerbaijani from Brooklyn, New York, who takes pride in sharing his unique Azerbaijani heritage with others. As a student at Rutgers University New Brunswick, he is majoring in biology with aspirations to become a cardiac surgeon and researcher in the field of cardiology. Additionally, Osman has a passion for writing and aims to expand his knowledge and contribute to the understanding of Islam and Islamic history through his writings.

Whenever asked about his background, Osman embraces the opportunity to introduce people to Azerbaijan, recognizing that many may not be familiar with the country. He views this as a chance to showcase the beauty and significance of Azerbaijan, taking on the responsibility to represent his nation positively.

With high aspirations and standards, Osman seeks to become a role model for his Azerbaijani peers, demonstrating that their nation is filled with bright and dedicated individuals eager to shape societies and contribute positively to the world. He looks forward to achieving success in his chosen field and, in doing so, honoring Azerbaijan and its people.

Shevrin Hosman is currently a junior in high school. I am a senior officer for the Speech and Debate team of my school, and have been competing in speech for two years now. I got 4th in the NYSFL State Championships for Original Oratory and have qualified at NYCFL Grands for the NCFL Grand Nationals in Original Oratory as well. I am also involved in the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) of my school which involves students who collaborate and share ideas to produce art that is then shared with our community. The importance of community is highly emphasized in my daily life, which is why I also volunteer at the JCCMW Special Needs Enrichment program to engage with people who have special needs. To add on, since my elementary school years I have been involved in acting for commercials, TV series, and animations. To name a few, I was the voice for Mariam in the Speed Hump episode of SuperWings, involved in a Ritz Cracker documentary, and a background character for an episode of the TV series Law & Order. Outside of my extracurricular activities, I am the oldest of four children and enjoy being around my friends and family. I love experimenting with all forms of art, walking outside while being around nature, and taking care of my siblings.

Shannen Hosman a 15-year-old sophomore at Scarsdale High School, is known for her outstanding achievements and diverse talents. As the captain of the debate team, Shannen has demonstrated exceptional leadership and persuasive skills, earning her multiple awards at prestigious tournaments such as the NYSFL State Championships, the Lexington Winter Invitational, the Princeton Classic, and achieving a two-year winning streak at the Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament. Beyond her academic pursuits, Shannen is deeply engaged in her school community. She serves as an officer of both the Muslim Youth Club and the Breast Cancer Awareness Club, where she channels her passion for advocacy into meaningful action. Her dedication to making a difference extends beyond her school walls as she also works as a chef at the healthy fast-food cafe, Bango Bowls, where she promotes health and wellness in her community through nutritious and delicious meals. Shannen is not only a dedicated activist but also a talented actress. Since 2nd grade, she has been cast in numerous projects, captivating audiences with her performances on stage and screen. This summer, Shannen will further expand her horizons by attending the Harvard Secondary School Program, a testament to her academic excellence and ambition. Despite being part of the only Azerbaijani family in Scarsdale, Shannen has embraced her heritage and shared it with others. She was cast in a documentary on Ritz Crackers, where she shared insights into Azerbaijani culture and life, educating and inspiring others with her knowledge. In all aspects of her life, Shannen exemplifies dedication, leadership, and a deep-seated commitment to making a positive impact on the world around her.