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Student Voice Organizing Fellowship

Student Voice Organizing Fellows receive grassroots organizing training to build the education justice movement and advance equity in their schools and communities.

Student Voice Organizing Fellowship

Join the Student Voice Organizing Fellowship program to get involved in the education justice movement and deepen your understanding of grassroots organizing.

What is the Student Voice Organizing Fellowship?

The Student Voice Organizing Fellowship trains 25 high school students from across the United States in education justice organizing and leadership development. Over the course of a school year, Student Voice Organizing Fellows will be prepared to advance education justice and create systemic social change in their schools and local areas. Through immersion in a community of peers committed to equity in schools, fellows will develop skills such as effective communication with peers and decision-makers, identifying issues and solutions in their schools and building capacity to organize student power in their communities.

Fellows will be provided a $1,000 stipend for the year, as well as access to optional paid opportunities with Student Voice partners. This program will require a time commitment of around 2-5 hours/week.

Meet the 2021-22 Organizing Fellows

Adunni Nobi

Suwanee, GA

I’m a high school sophomore, who is passionate about creating change and bringing awareness to various social issues. I'm devoted to fighting for change. When I'm not focusing on activism, I love to work out, binge Netflix and hang with my friends & family!

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Amelia Pinto

Altadena, CA

Passionate about empowering youth in their identities, community organizing, and liberation. Recognizing the intersectionality of issues that affect our communities to challenge systems of oppression. Oxford comma enthusiast, lover of poems, & frequent wearer of overalls.

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Ashline Bussanmas

Norwalk, IA

I love advocating for youth, as well as helping create an environment for equitable voices. I am very passionate about ensuring that all members of society, not just youth, are given great standards, whether that be in education, work, or health. I also need socks to sleep.

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Cadence Brown

Calvert City, KY

Advocating and building more empathetic schools and communities in Kentucky. Passion for creating spaces in rural communities that support people of all identities and recognizing the value of youth voice. Striving to design accessible experiences for young people at the Kentucky Student Voice Team.

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Clara Sun

Shoreline, WA

Committed to echoing the stories and lived experiences of all students in the Shoreline School District and the greater Seattle area. Interested to using organization and design to achieve meaningful progress in educational equity. Lover of reading (behavioral economics & fiction), traveling, and spending time with family!


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Elizabeth Quinteros

Lancaster, CA

Determined to advocate for those whose voices have been silenced or ignored. Youth have all the power in their hands, it just takes one person to make a move for change to begin. Lover of cats, music, painting, and anything that brings peace to mind.

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Ella Mosca

New York, NY

Interested in making the world a better place for all in any + every way possible. Lover of all things sports, travel and books.

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Elsa Holahan

New Haven, CT

Committed to reforming my school in a way that ensures individual and communal growth and success through activism, organizing, and education. A cellist who doesn't like listening to classical music and a vegetarian who doesn't like vegetables.

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Grace Van Voorst

Northfield, MN

Passionate believer that conversation is the most critical catalyst for real change and a relentless advocate for youth to be its facilitators. Committed to uplifting student voices, fighting for issues that impact youth, and leading difficult conversations.

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Isabella Juma

Queens, NY

Passionate about student equity in schools. Loves traveling and listening to music. Whistles like a bird.

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Isaiah Gutierrez

Colorado Springs, CO

Passionate about student's future in environments that form their future. Enthusiastic to engage with students and uplift their spirits about education.

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Jalen Adams

Winnsboro, SC

I'm a child-like optimist with big dreams and a big heart who is passionate about progress towards educational, racial and economic equality. I'm also a learning enthusiast.

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Jamya Kennedy

Winnsboro, SC

Involved young community member, working to increase communication between youth and community leaders to create a better environment for ALL!!!! Big advocate for self care and self love. Enjoys reading, playing sports, and buying shoes.

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Jordan Edwards

Chicago, IL

Devoted to fighting against educational inequalities and powering other students to do the same, by any and all means necessary. Advocate for redefining the barriers placed on education and politics to give everyone chance no matter their background. Also enjoyer of mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino's.

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Joshua Adegoke

Houston, TX

A member of numerous organizations that have allowed many individuals to become leaders to facilitate virtual civic discussions within community circles in non-partisan and non-dangering contexts. An exceptional leader who discusses predominant issues that impact our society by increasing discourse and plausible action on such problems. Pushes to increase cultural diversity for civic education, push for sustainable methods that minimize structural violence, and encourage more social capital and voice for students.

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Keerthi Dwarampudi

Suwanee, GA

A student-activist and sophomore at Lambert high school. Working towards a more equitable society through mental health advocacy and educational justice for students of all backgrounds. Lover of naps, puppies, and hanging out with friends and family.

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Marie Muya

Hoover, AL

Kenyan-American working to help diversify her school’s curriculums to be more inclusive of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Passionate about American politics and advocacy. Enjoys traveling, volunteering, baking, and listening to BIBI, Hope Tala, and Christian Kuria.

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Marigold Lewi

Baltimore, MD

Believer in the empowerment of youth and creating those safe spaces for all youth. Youth activist on all matters including the digital divide. Jhene Aiko fan and big baker.

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Michel Leon

Houston, TX

Passionate about student voice, and strengthening education equity. Students withheld power in their voices. Music lover, loves advocating, and never gives up!

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Monet Renfro

Kansas City, MO

Super engaged in changing the outcomes of the most marginalized and disenfranchised scholars. Lover of soccer, great food, and my community.

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Yethmie Goonatilleke

Glen Rock, NJ

Yethmie Goonatilleke is passionate about amplifying student voice and advancing education justice for all. She is currently a high school junior in northern New Jersey. In her free time, she loves to draw or read a good book.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get paid for participating in the Student Voice Organizing Fellowship?

Yes! All Student Voice Organizing Fellows will receive a $1,000 stipend for their work throughout the year, dependent on successful completion of the program.

What is the difference between the Organizing Fellowship and the Ambassador Program?

The Organizing Fellowship is a skill-building program to equip beginner education justice organizers with the knowledge and experience to take action in their schools and community. The Ambassador Program is a project incubator that brings experienced organizers together to create tangible change over the course of a school year. In short, the Organizing Fellowship builds leaders, while Student Voice Ambassadors build projects!

If I become an Organizing Fellow, what is my monthly commitment?

Every month, you will have two 1 hour-long Fellowship-wide calls for skills training and community building — likely on Sunday evenings to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. Additionally, every month, you’ll receive one assignment (for example, testifying at your school board or hosting a roundtable with your classmates) to put your new skills into practice. These assignments are low-pressure and for your own learning, and you will have access to coordinators more than happy to walk you through any questions that you have! Overall, this should add up to roughly 2-5 hours of commitment per week.


EBOOK

Roundtable Facilitation Guide

Eager to start creating change in your school? Check out our Roundtable Facilitation Guide to host a roundtable discussion to share your authentic educational experiences and to co-create student-driven solutions to issues you’ve experienced with fellow students, teachers and administrators.

GET THE PDF →