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GEM Project Dayton — Goal: Everyone Matters

Our Team

Portrait of Leigh Ann Fulford

GEM Project Dayton Founder and Director

Leigh Ann Fulford

I am a local volunteer who is passionate about suicide prevention. Why? I do not want anyone to go through the pain that our family and friends experienced when my sister died by suicide in 2005. I am a certified master trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), safeTALK, & Ending the Silence; an active volunteer for the Montgomery County Prevention Coalition; and co-founder of The Out of the Darkness Walk in Dayton. My goal is to educate people about mental health and to reduce the stigma and shame of suicide by talking about it.

Portrait of Liz Doorley

Alter High School

Liz Doorley

I am a senior at Alter High School.  Besides being part of the GEM team, I am also a member of Hope Squad. I enjoy playing tennis and I am a member of the Alter Lancerettes. I am so excited to be a part of something that will shine a light on mental health. I hope to change the picture of mental health and I believe the GEM Project will do that.

Portrait of Ava Hickey

Centerville High School

Ava Hickey

I am a senior at Centerville High School and this is my second year being a part of the GEM Project! I am involved in CHS Hope Squad, volleyball, and basketball. I am excited to make a difference through GEM and I hope to break the stigma around mental health.

Portrait of Lainey Hilliard

Centerville High School

Lainey Hilliard

I am a senior at Centerville High School and this is my second year on the GEM Project team! I am a lifeguard, I do swim, volleyball, and am a part of CHS Hope Squad. I’m excited for the opportunity to be more involved in creating awareness for teen mental health.

Portrait of Bella Kuhl

Beavercreek High School

Bella Kuhl

I am a senior at Beavercreek High School and a member of the GEM Project Dayton Team. I am the props chief for the Beavercreek High School tech crew. I joined the GEM Project Dayton because I want to help bring awareness to suicide, mental health, and resources available. I don't want to lose the people I care about most and I don't want anyone to go through the pain either.

Portrait of Tabitha Powell

Alter High School

Tabitha Powell

I am a senior at Alter High School and a member of the GEM Project. I am a member of Hope Squad and I do theater and Lancerettes. I’m so excited to shine light onto mental health!!

Portrait of Kenna Routley

Fairmont High School

Kenna Routley

I am a junior at Fairmont High School. I lifeguard at the Kettering Recreation Center. I spent four years in Hope Squad and am so excited to be part of the GEM Project.

Portrait of Brigham McClain

Fairmont High School

Brigham McClain

I am a junior at Fairmont High School and a member of the Boys Volleyball program as well as a first-year member of Hope Squad. I enjoy meeting new people and helping others through challenging situations. I am happy to be a part of the GEM Project.

Dorothy.png

Alter High School

Dorothy Back

I’m a part of the Hope Squad Team at Alter High School. I’m involved in extracurriculars like Science Olympiad, Alter Scholars, Art Club, and many more. One of the main reasons I wanted to be a part of the GEM Project Student Team is because mental health has been a part of my life for so long and is something that is extremely personal and close to my heart. I want to share my story and let others know they’re not alone!

Portrait of Sadie Hornick

Archbishop Alter High School

Sadie Hornick

I am a junior at Archbishop Alter High School and I'm super excited to be a member of the GEM team! I love performing in theater and dance, and I'm proud to be a part of my school's Hope Squad. I'm excited to make a difference in other people's lives and show them that they matter.

Portrait of Amanda Dyer

Miamisburg High School

Amanda Dyer

I am a junior at Miamisburg High School and I am so excited to be a part of the GEM Project. I enjoy musical theater, acting, and the technical side of it too. Mental health matters because everyone deserves to be their fullest self.

Portrait of Meredith Ryan

Chaminade Julienne High School

Meredith Ryan

I am a junior at Chaminade Julienne. I love to be active and play sports. I am so excited to be a part of GEM because it is important to raise awareness for suicide prevention, which affects the lives of so many people everywhere.

Portrait of Owen Waite

Chaminade Julienne High School

Owen Waite

I am a junior at Chaminade Julienne and I am a part of the Erika's Lighthouse group at my school. I also play soccer and run track. I am so excited to be a part of GEM because mental health is so important to me, and being informed about it helps you understand others and yourself more clearly.

Portrait of Mason McHone

Springboro High School

Mason McHone

I am a sophomore at Springboro High School, and I'm beyond excited to be a part of this amazing organization! I love singing, acting, and dancing. It's important to care for others and embrace your true, authentic self.

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Centerville High School

Suhani Patel

I am a sophomore at Centerville High School, and this is my first year on the GEM Project. I love to volunteer, and I am part of the CHS Hope Squad. I’m excited to be able to make a difference for teens and spread awareness about mental health!

Addy.jpeg

Centerville High School

Addy Will

I am a sophomore at Centerville High School, and this will be my first year as a part of the GEM Project! I am also involved in CHS Hope Squad and cheerleading! I love helping others and I am so excited to bring more awareness to teen mental health through the GEM project.

Portrait of Egypt Johnson

Belmont High School

Egypt Johnson

I attend Belmont High School as a freshman. I enjoy helping and meeting people. I am looking forward to my first year with the GEM Project.

Portrait of Noah Mullen

Archbishop Alter High School

Noah Mullen

I am a freshman at Archbishop Alter High School, and I joined GEM because of what this project is actively doing in the Dayton community. I have seen the effects of poor mental health in my classmates, in theater, and in other activities, and I have seen how much it matters to have a support system when you feel like you have nothing. Being part of GEM lets me help spread awareness for mental health and grow as a leader.

Portrait of Madelyn Sweet

Springboro High School

Madelyn Sweet

I'm a freshman at Springboro High School and I am deeply honored to be a part of the GEM Project. Helping people feel comfortable in their own skin and emotions is something I support strongly. I am also a lover of theater and have been a part of a handful of shows. My hobbies include playing the guitar, making art, writing, and swimming. Seeing the impact this project has on our community is incredible, and I am so excited to help contribute to it however possible.

Empty silhouette marking an open spot on the team

High School

This could be you

Email gemprojectdayton@gmail.com for details about how you can become part of the team.

Empty silhouette marking an open spot on the team

High School

This could be you

Email gemprojectdayton@gmail.com for details about how you can become part of the team.

Empty silhouette marking an open spot on the team

High School

This could be you

Email gemprojectdayton@gmail.com for details about how you can become part of the team.

Current Team

Most of the 2026-27 GEM Project Dayton Team

Most of the 2026-27 GEM Project Dayton Team

Previous Teams

Part of the team gathered for a group photo

Some of the 2025-26 GEM Project Dayton Team

Team members gathered for a group photo

The 2024-25 GEM Project Dayton Team

Team members gathered for a group photo

The 2023-24 GEM Project Dayton Team

Team members gathered for a group photo

The 2022-23 GEM Project Dayton Team

Team members posing together for a selfie

The 2021-22 GEM Project Dayton Team

Call or Text 988 if you need immediate support

GEM Project Dayton
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