Student Profile: ISB Seniors Leading the Novasta Cambridge Chapter

A Community of Action and Impact

When five ISB seniors took an interest in Novasta, a student-run nonprofit focused on reducing food waste, they did not expect their work to lead to the largest donation in Novasta’s national network. Yet in just one week, their Cambridge chapter purchased and delivered 1,860 meals to local shelters. Their initiative has already become a model of student leadership, teamwork, and community engagement.

For Neyla A., Emma L., Raphaëlle M., Camille P., and Clémence R., this project has been an important part of their senior year and a reflection of the values they have developed at ISB.

“I arrived from France last year, and the spirit of community at ISB is incredible. Teachers listen to us and help us. There is a positive environment that allows projects like this to happen.”Neyla A.

How It Started

The idea of bringing Novasta to ISB began with Emma, who had been participating in the nonprofit’s work with friends from her Boston swim team. Inspired by the mission and encouraged by her ISB classmates, she proposed creating a local chapter based in Cambridge. With their help, the Novasta Cambridge chapter officially launched in April 2025.

Together, they began shaping the chapter as a fully ISB-student team. What started with a small group of friends quickly grew into a committed group of 15 ISB students, all focused on reducing food waste and supporting local shelters.

“Novasta is a student-run nonprofit,” Emma explained. “We meet with restaurants, pick up their excess food, and redistribute it to shelters, churches, or food banks. Sometimes it is 10 slices of pizza or a few boxes of chicken nuggets. We pick it up ourselves, and then either bring it directly to a shelter or deliver it the next day.”

The students handle deliveries entirely on their own, going by foot, by bike, on the Red Line, or by car when needed.

A Team Effort

The team meets every Tuesday to plan initiatives, divide tasks, and move projects forward. The work ranges from contacting shelters to organizing bake sales to meeting with restaurant owners for potential partnerships.

“For us, it depends on what each person is comfortable doing,” said Raphaëlle. “Everyone has their strengths. We balance things as a team.”

Neyla agreed, adding, “We really do everything together. We do not have strict roles. We share documents, send messages, and make decisions collectively. That is what makes it work.”

Their biggest project this year grew out of Clémence’s personal goal to run the Boston Half Marathon. “I always run for associations,” Clémence said. “When I heard about Novasta and saw that it was run by girls from my school, it immediately felt right.”

They began fundraising with a goal of $1,000 and surpassed it within a week. They ultimately raised $1,680, thanks to the generosity of neighbors, friends, and especially the ISB community. “So many teachers donated,” said Raphaëlle. “Some without us even asking.”

“Parents stayed and talked with us, and really showed interest in what we were doing,” said Neyla. “There was a true community spirit.”

Turning Support Into Impact

With the funds raised, the students went to Market Basket to buy the essential items shelters had requested. Their purchases totaled 1,860 meals, setting a record across all Novasta branches in the United States. It was a time-consuming process, from coordinating lists to calculating totals, but the students knew their efforts would support local shelters in a meaningful way. The students also shared a short overview of their fundraiser and deliveries, available here.

Their motivation throughout the project was simple: they wanted to give back in a way that mattered.

“There is a lot of paperwork, and we do calculations all the time, and it can be very time consuming,” said Neyla. “But when we went to buy all the food, we told ourselves that we were doing this for a reason, and it felt great. It is not easy, but the challenge is what makes the experience meaningful.”

A Project Strengthened by the ISB Community

Each of the seniors emphasized the role ISB played in helping them take Novasta further.

Emma shared how she learned to build on her strengths and rely on others. “I can be someone who is very idealistic, and organization is hard for me,” Emma said. “I learned to balance strengths with my friends through the ISB community. And Mr. Craig has been our number one supporter. He always has ideas and encouragement.”

Raphaëlle highlighted the support she received from ISB administrators and staff, past and present. “Madame Latapie encouraged us from the beginning. Even Mr. Caron-Audet, who left ISB, responded on LinkedIn and supported us. It meant so much that the ISB community continued to help us.”

Students who arrived more recently also spoke about how supported they felt at ISB. They described feeling noticed, encouraged, and welcomed from the start.

“I arrived from France last year, and the spirit of community at ISB is incredible,” said Neyla. “Teachers listen to us and help us. There is a positive environment that allows projects like this to happen.”

Clémence shared the same feeling. “In my other schools, teachers were not interested in our lives outside class. Here, everyone knows our names. They want to help us succeed as people, not only as students.”

Even beyond the school, ISB connections helped the project grow. Camille noted, “We talked to Mr. Lazar, who suggested promoting Novasta in other French schools in the AEFE network.” He shared the organization’s mission with French schools he is connected to, opening the door to future collaborations.

Looking Ahead

With graduation approaching, the seniors hope to find younger students who will continue the chapter with the same energy.

“I really hope we find people who are as passionate as we are,” said Neyla. “The project takes time, but it works because we care so much about it.”

Emma added that food insecurity is present everywhere, which means their work does not stop after ISB. “There will always be opportunities to continue this in university.”

Some, like Neyla, already imagine creating new Novasta chapters on their future campuses.

Advice for ISB Students

Their message to students who want to make a difference is clear.

Start early, even if you are scared.

“Fear held me back at first,” said Raphaëlle. “Do it even if you are not sure what will happen. This project helped me grow so much in communication and leadership.”

Do not be discouraged by rejection.

Emma, who often approaches restaurants directly, shared: “Sometimes nine people say no. But the one who says yes makes it worth it.”

And above all, give back.

The students also emphasized the importance of helping others, especially during a period of rising food insecurity. “Donate to food pantries, donate to shelters, call and ask what they need,” said Raphaëlle. “Things like food or baby diapers can make a real difference. We all need to support each other.”

A Legacy of Commitment

In just one year, the Novasta Cambridge chapter has shown what can happen when students combine initiative, teamwork, and compassion. Their work reflects the best of ISB’s values: leadership, community engagement, and a willingness to step forward when something matters.

What these seniors have built will continue to inspire younger students, and the impact they have had on the Greater Boston community will remain long after graduation.

Follow the Novasta Cambridge chapter on Instagram to see updates and future projects.