David created a nonprofit organization called Project HeART to promote emotional well-being through art. The idea started as a way to let seniors know people in the community cared about them. David collaborated with Hospice of the Valley to design 750 cards and send them to their patients and volunteers. From there it grew into free public art therapy classes at senior living centers in Fountain Hills, donation drives and more. 

“I know many seniors suffer from loneliness and stress, so I wanted to do something to help,” said Guo. “The art therapy classes have been great. It’s not only a way to connect with seniors, but a way to connect with the whole community.”

One of the seniors told David the art classes have helped him connect with his family and grandchildren. They all enjoy taking the classes with him and being able to draw and color with his granddaughter has helped their relationship. 

David now has a chapter at his school, BASIS Scottsdale, and about 12 members help him create custom cards every month. The cards are now sent to children’s hospitals too. He also hosts donation drives with the City of Scottsdale libraries to collect art supplies to donate to Title I schools.

In addition to his nonprofit work, David excels in academics and is involved in many school and community clubs and activities. He holds a VP of Research and Development position at a global student run organization called World Health Institute. He’s also involved in National Art Honor Society, where he served as VP until Feb. 2024. During his time in this role, he launched the Rocks Project, where the students would gather rocks and paint them to leave around the school with uplifting messages. David is also Secretary of the UNICEF club at this school and participates in fundraising events, educating the community about injustices in other countries and helps with donation drives.

He’s also been conducting research and working on a new technology to diagnose fungi in blood.  David is an accomplished teen who hopes to be a doctor one day! He also has plans to expand Project HeART to other cities in the near future.