Margarita Simonyan is a first-year student at Stanford University, where she’s double majoring in International Relations and Public Policy with a focus on international security, peacebuilding, and human rights. Originally from Los Angeles, her commitment to the Armenian community runs just as deep as her academic ambitions.

Margarita’s connection to her roots began early—at just five years old, she performed traditional Armenian dance at the Hayastan Cultural Center. But her drive to make a tangible impact deepened following the Artsakh War. In response, she founded Armenian Youth Education Aid, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on improving education in Armenia’s border villages.

Through her nonprofit, Margarita has led a series of high-impact initiatives: rebuilding a school and creating an educational center in Lusashogh, donating musical instruments to revive the Khndzoresk music school, and delivering code-controlled drones to support STEM learning in Goris. Each project is grounded in her belief that education is both a shield and a bridge for the Armenian people.

At Stanford, Margarita continues her advocacy as the Advocacy Chair of the Stanford Armenian Student Association, where she champions cultural representation and raises awareness of Armenian issues on campus. Her work reflects a powerful blend of purpose and pride—uniting intellect, activism, and cultural stewardship in service of a stronger future for Armenia.