FactCheck with Harshva
Helping Gen-Z Uncover the Truth in our Ever-Changing Media Landscape
Social media is full of stories that catch your eye, but how do you know which ones are real?
Harshva is on a mission to help Gen Z develop the skills to spot fake news, understand biases, and navigate the digital world with confidence.
Ready to take control? Let’s start together.
Instagram for Daily Challenges
About Me
I'm Harshva
Howdy, Harshvardhan Vinoth Kumar here!
A senior at Coppell High School, I’m passionate about international relations, history, and politics. As Captain of the Social Studies UIL and Head Delegate for Model UN, I’ve honed skills in research, diplomacy, and leadership. Through Academic Decathlon, I’ve strengthened collaboration and helped sustain our team through mentorship and organization.
Beyond academics, I’ve contributed to local political campaigns, managing outreach and coordinating volunteers to promote civic engagement. I value curiosity, communication, and purpose in everything I do—both in learning and in leading.
Take Action Now — Begin your journey to smarter media consumption.
My Mission
I’m committed to helping Gen Z navigate the digital world with critical thinking and awareness. By empowering young people to recognize misinformation and challenge biases, I strive to build a generation that values truth, embraces research, and practices responsible media engagement.
Through education, outreach, and advocacy, my goal is to ensure that every teen can confidently separate fact from fiction—and make informed, thoughtful decisions in an age defined by information overload.
Interviews with Journalists and Others
Dan Koller, editor of the
Coppell Chronicle
Bob Strum, host of the Dallas Cowboys Pre-Game show and The Ticket
Hannah Cook, Chief Communications Strategist, Coppell City
Ryan Sanders, Commentary editor at The Dallas Morning News
Featured
Interviewed by Southern Spice USA about my work in fighting misinformaiton
Webinars
The Power of misinformation: How Fake News Shapes Our World
AI: the new player in the misinformation game
Experiences
Throughout my high school years, I’ve taken on leadership roles to create an impact in various academic, extracurricular, and community settings.
Coppell Chamber of Commerce Junior Board Member (Starting Nov 2025)
Selected to serve on the prestigious Coppell Chamber of Commerce Junior Board, I will collaborate with local business leaders to strengthen the connection between youth and the city’s economic life. The role unites my interests in leadership, community engagement, and civic development, offering opportunities to contribute youth perspectives on marketing, outreach, and engagement. I see this position as a chance to bridge generations within Coppell—helping students recognize how commerce sustains community while learning firsthand from those who shape its growth.
Honorary Page at the Texas House (May 2025)
Being chosen as one of four pages from my district, the experience provided a valuable opportunity for growth and learning. I acquired a comprehensive understanding of the legislative process, including the intricacies involved in passing bills and the reasons behind certain bills' failures. This experience highlighted to me the importance of bipartisanship in state legislatures and the impact of local party dynamics. Furthermore, my engagement with lawmakers allowed me to gain insights from their political experiences and deepen my appreciation for the complexities of governance.
President of the IB Diploma Student Body (May 2025 -Present)
As President of the IB program, I prioritized enhancing community cohesion and fostering familiarity among participants. Through strategic outreach and awareness campaigns, I effectively increased our membership and engagement levels while developing proficiency in event organization, including venue procurement and attendance assessment. It also taught me the intricacies of managing financial aspects and liaising with potential donors to ensure the program's sustainability. This leadership experience has equipped me the necessary skills to promote collaboration and support the ongoing success of our initiatives.
Senior Intern at Cassandra Hernandez for Texas House (June 2024 - Present)
As a senior intern for the Cassandra Hernandez campaign, I contributed to grassroots voter outreach, digital messaging, and youth mobilization efforts. I assisted in drafting policy-oriented social media posts, compiled constituent feedback for briefing materials, and collaborated with the communications team to refine public engagement strategies. Beyond campaign mechanics, this experience deepened my understanding of local governance and the translation of community needs into legislative priorities. Working closely with campaign staff honed my ability to balance advocacy with pragmatism, teaching me how political effectiveness often relies on empathy, clarity, and sustained civic dialogue.
Campaign Manager for Chanin for Lewisville City Council (April 2025 - June 2025)
As campaign manager for Chanin’s Lewisville City Council run, I directed field operations and coordinated volunteer outreach, across multiple precincts. Managing a ten-person team, I organized neighborhood walks, and voter education ensuring coherent messaging and logistical efficiency throughout the campaign cycle. This role demanded both strategic foresight and adaptability under pressure, revealing the nuances of local political engagement. Guiding the campaign’s trajectory taught me the discipline of leadership, the importance of trust in collective effort, and the intricate link between civic participation and community resilience.
Secretary-General of Coppell Model UN (September 2021 - Present)
As Secretary-General of our school’s Model United Nations program, I founded its first travel team and spearheaded the organization of our inaugural conference. I designed training curricula, led workshops on diplomacy and policy analysis, and mentored delegates to success at regional and national events. Managing logistics, partnerships, and debate strategy demanded both analytical precision and interpersonal acuity. Through navigating the complexities of international issues and divergent viewpoints, I learned to mediate, synthesize, and lead with empathy—skills that deepened my appreciation for negotiation as both art and discipline. This role not only refined my understanding of global governance but also cemented my commitment to collaborative problem-solving across ideological lines.
Student Lead of Academic Decathlon (Aug 2024 -Present)
As a lead of the Academic Decathlon team, I guided a ten-member group through extensive study across ten academic subjects, coordinating preparation sessions and tailoring strategies for competitions. Serving as both tutor and motivator, I cultivated a culture of perseverance that led us to multiple state medals and sustained academic recognition. The experience tested my ability to manage time, mentor peers, and analyze material ranging from art history to economics. Beyond accolades, the position taught me humility in leadership—balancing my own drive for excellence with the responsibility of enabling others to thrive. It remains one of my most formative intellectual and collaborative endeavors.
Captain of UIL Social Studies Team (Aug 2024 -Present)
As Captain of the UIL Social Studies team, I led research sessions and curated study materials spanning political theory, economics, and history. Under my leadership, our team achieved its first-ever regional qualification and medal, a testament to our disciplined preparation and cohesion. I developed lesson plans, mentored new members, and coordinated with faculty to ensure comprehensive coverage of complex topics. The process strengthened my skills in synthesis and critical interpretation, while cultivating an appreciation for how historical context shapes modern governance. More than a competition, UIL became a forum for intellectual exchange that honed my curiosity and analytical rigor.
Mentor for Pinkerton PYP Capstone Project (March 2025 - May 2025)
As a mentor for the IB Primary Years Programme, I guided elementary students through their capstone exhibition projects, helping them refine research questions, analyze sources, and present findings with clarity and confidence. Working alongside teachers, I learned to simplify complex concepts without diminishing their depth—an exercise in both pedagogy and empathy. The experience allowed me to see how early curiosity shapes intellectual growth and reminded me that education, at its best, nurtures inquiry rather than prescribes answers. It deepened my appreciation for mentorship as a form of leadership grounded in patience and encouragement rather than authority.
Founder of VATRE Awareness Coalition (June 2024 - November 2024)
In order to inform voters of Coppell ISD’s Voter Approval Tax Rate Election initiative, I helped lead a district-wide student outreach effort to educate residents about the ballot’s implications for school funding. Through coordinated neighborhood canvassing and outreach, our team sought to clarify a complex fiscal issue in accessible terms. I developed communication strategies and engaged directly with voters to promote civic awareness. This campaign revealed the tangible impact of civic education and demonstrated how transparent, student-driven advocacy can strengthen trust between communities and their institutions.
Edu(cation) Buddy at AIESEC@Unila (July 2025)
As a participant in the Edubuddy Program, I engaged in cross-cultural collaboration with Indonesian peers through virtual discussions, cultural exchanges, and English instruction. By designing interactive lessons and facilitating conversational practice, I developed strategies to make language learning approachable and engaging for diverse learners. Beyond teaching, the experience deepened my appreciation for cultural nuance and communication styles, strengthening my ability to listen empathetically and bridge linguistic and cultural gaps. Through these exchanges, I not only shared my own culture but also gained a richer understanding of Indonesia’s traditions, values, and perspectives—enhancing my global awareness and intercultural sensitivity.
Job Shadowing with Coppell City Mayor (July 2024)
During a shadowing session with the Mayor of Coppell, I observed the deliberative and procedural aspects of municipal governance both before and during a city council meeting. Sitting in on pre-session briefings and the public hearing, I gained firsthand insight into how local officials evaluate proposals, engage with citizen lobbying efforts, and balance competing community interests. I witnessed how policy decisions emerge from a confluence of data, persuasion, and public accountability—far more intricate than the simplified narratives often portrayed in media. This experience deepened my understanding of how governance functions at its most immediate level and reinforced my belief that effective leadership stems not from authority, but from attentive listening and measured judgment.
Honors & Awards
In my academic journey, I've been thrilled to be recognized for my passion and dedication
National Merit Semi-Finalist
 Principal Recognizes the Accomplishment |
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 Letter Announcing the Award |
 Counselor Recognizes the Accomplishment |
Model Arab League: National Council for US-Arab Relations
 Outstanding Delegation: Awarded to Head Delegate |
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 Individual Award: Outstanding Delegate |
UIL Social Studies: 10+ medals
 UIL State 3rd Place Certificate from 2025 |
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 Awarded 3rd Place in State, 2025 |
 Picture Before Going off to State, Second-Time Qualifier |
 UIL State 6th Place Certificate from 2024 |
 Awarded 6th Place in State, 2024 |
Academic Decathlon: 15+ medals
 Recognition from School District |
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 District Superintendent Congratulates the Awardee |
 School Publicizes the Regionals Results; Recognizes for Overall 2nd Place |
 Nationals Competition Results |
 Commendation from District School Board |
YMCA TXMUN Fall Summit Chair Award
 Certificate of Recognition |
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 With Other Delegates in the Conference |
Awards at J. R. Tucker High School
 Recognized by School District for Top Performance in PSAT 8/9 |
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 Awarded the Recognition in Tucker High School |
 Awarded for Exemplary Performance and Curiosity for Biology |
Awards at Short Pump Middle School
 Presidential Award for Educational Excellence |  Recognized for Best Performance in French 1 |
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 Inducted into the "Jeunes Amis du Français" |
 Proffered for Outstanding Involvement and Passion for the Sciences |
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 Presented for Deep Historical Understanding and Expression |
Volunteering
I have always looked for opportunities to connect my interests with the needs of my community.
Tutor at Solstice Scholars
Tutored high school students in English writing and various math subjects.
Volunteer at Light the Night Event
Managed lantern and other booths, assisted with setup and cleaning.
Translator at Pragat Foundation
Translated educational and advocacy materials from English to Tamil and French for 1000+ readers worldwide.
Volunteer at Richmond FOI
Assisted in food tents and managed inventory cataloging to gauge stores and required materials
Member of NHS
Volunteered over 50 hours in service of local community and school events
Sports
Sports have been a way for me to both keep active and find community with people who share the same interests as I do
Badminton
Finding my passion for the sport latter in life, I have grown to appreciate the individual and partner aspects of the sport. After a few initial successes, I pursued the sport at a higher level, attaining my highest doubles ranking of 125 in the national level.
Cricketer, Bowling All-rounder
Starting out at a young age, I took many breaks in between. I found myself originally restarting my career out of a desire to find people in a new country. Slowly, I got into a more serious format of the game, playing in the DC circuit and the National Major League Cricket Jr. While specializing in left-handed spin, I also grew accustomed to power-hitting as an all-rounder.
Events
Upcoming Events
Working with technology: Media tools for convenient checkingSun, Nov 16Google Meet: meet.google.com/ket-rrkg-ien
Person skills: How to approach countering misinformation in personal conversationsSun, Nov 30Google Meet: meet.google.com/ket-rrkg-ien
AI: the new player in the information gameSat, Jun 28Google Meet: meet.google.com/ket-rrkg-ien
The Power of Information: How Fake News Shapes Our WorldSat, Jun 21Via Google Meet
Media Literacy for Gen Z: Navigating the Digital MinefieldSat, Jun 07Cozby Library
Hands-on Media Literacy WorkshopMon, May 05Media Literacy Workshop Center
Join the Movement: Become a Truth-Seeker!
Instagram for daily challenges!!!