About SparkWhyz

Young people protecting the places they call home.

SparkWhyz is a youth-led fire-prevention initiative created to educate students, inspire safer decisions, and stop fireworks-related wildfires before they start.

Our Story

A close call became a community mission.

SparkWhyz began after a wildfire was started in Laguna Beach by a middle-school-aged boy using illegal fireworks.

Instead of focusing only on blame, our family asked a different question: what if someone had reached that student before he made the decision?

We realized that young people often hear warnings after something dangerous happens. SparkWhyz was created to reach students earlier, while there is still time to prevent the next fire.

What began as one family’s response has grown into a youth-led effort involving students, families, firefighters, schools, and community leaders.

Our Mission

Prevention starts before the spark.

SparkWhyz gives students the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities they need to protect their schools, neighborhoods, families, and natural environment.

Prevent Wildfires

Teach students about the real risks of illegal fireworks before one impulsive decision becomes a devastating fire.

Empower Students

Give young people meaningful leadership roles so they can educate their peers and create positive change in their own communities.

Unite the Community

Bring together firefighters, schools, parents, students, businesses, and local organizations around one shared prevention mission.

Our Team

Student-led. Community-supported.

SparkWhyz is powered by young people who turn concern into action, supported by families, volunteers, educators, firefighters, and community partners.

Kiyan Arshadi

Co-Founder and Founding Student Leader

Kiyan helped establish SparkWhyz and continues to support its long-term vision, partnerships, outreach, and future growth.

Dastan Arshadi

Co-Founder and High School Lead

Dastan helps lead the high school team, organize projects, guide student volunteers, speak at events, and communicate the mission.

Rosteen Arshadi

Co-Founder and Middle School Lead

Rosteen helps connect the mission with younger students and supports school outreach, education, website development, and events.

Student Members

Outreach, Events, Media, and Volunteers

Student members help with community events, pledge drives, public speaking, school outreach, social media, fundraising, educational projects, and volunteer activities.

Mehr Photo Coming Soon

Mehr Arshadi

Parent Advisor

Mehr supports the student team with planning, communications, partnerships, fundraising, educational programs, and organizational guidance while keeping SparkWhyz student-led.

Chief Chip Gilmore

Fire Department Advisor

Laguna Beach Fire Department Chief Chip Gilmore supports SparkWhyz through fire-safety guidance, event collaboration, community outreach, and partnership with the Laguna Beach Fire Department.

Building Momentum

From one question to a growing community movement.

Each milestone has helped SparkWhyz reach more students, strengthen community partnerships, and expand its fire-prevention mission.

The Beginning

SparkWhyz is founded.

A local wildfire and one important question inspired students and their family to create a youth-led prevention initiative focused on reaching young people before a dangerous decision is made.

Community Action

The first citywide fireworks turn-in event.

SparkWhyz worked with the Laguna Beach Fire Department and community leaders to offer residents a safer alternative to keeping or using illegal fireworks.

Growing Support

Families sign the pledge and support the book.

Community members committed to avoiding illegal fireworks and joined the growing group of founding supporters interested in events, education, classroom sponsorships, and the children’s book.

Civic Recognition

SparkWhyz receives city recognition.

The Laguna Beach City Council recognized SparkWhyz for youth leadership, community service, and fire-prevention work.

Education Initiative

A children’s book takes shape.

SparkWhyz began developing a children’s book based on a real local story, designed to make fire-prevention education memorable, relatable, and age appropriate.

Future Chapter Leaders Photo Coming Soon

The Next Chapter

Students prepare to bring SparkWhyz to more schools.

SparkWhyz is building a chapter program that will allow students at other schools to lead fire-prevention education, service projects, events, and outreach in their own communities.

Learn About Chapters

Help us prevent the next fire.

Sign the pledge, support a classroom, attend an event, or bring SparkWhyz to your school.

Sign the Pledge Start a Chapter