Student Advocates for Speech Leaders 2025 – 2026

I am a student advocate from South Carolina dedicated to civic engagement and promoting youth voices, particularly in education and policy.

Outside of advocacy, I wish to study law, international relations, and public policy in order to design anew and challenge the systems that have a tendency to silence or erase us. Through SAS, I hope to uplift unheard voices and disrupt the status quo.

Abagayle is a high school junior from Pennsylvania. As a student journalist battling censorship, they are passionate about preserving freedom of speech, especially as it pertains to writing and literature.

In their spare time, Abagayle enjoys reading, performing in plays and musicals, and grammar-checking their friends’ essays, which they also do professionally as a copy editor for Vellichor Literary, a youth-run literary magazine.

Hi, my name is Aleena! I am from Pakistan and raised in the states (MD).

I am passionate about the law and law enforcement field.

My name is Alex and I’m from NYC. I love writing, photography, and the local music scene.

I believe free speech and access to it are vital in fighting for a society of equality.

Hi! My name is Anvi, and I’m currently a junior. I’ve worked with state representatives and on multiple political campaigns to help influence policies at both the state and national levels.

When I’m not focused on advocacy, I love traveling and trying new foods from around the world.

My name is Asha and I am a rising junior in Tennessee. I am a large advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and I am involved in many advocacy organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign, Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network and more!

I am excited to work with NCAC this year because access to information and the ability to speak freely are essential to maintaining a democratic system.

Callista is a Filipino-American aspiring editor and poet graduating with the class of 2027. She is passionate about student journalism and advocating for inclusive education, aiming to create platforms for underrepresented voices.

In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, watching new short films, and finding inspiration in everyday moments.

My name is Cambrie, and I am a rising junior. I enjoy making art, such as sculpting, sketching, and painting, that are related to topics and issues that are important to me.

One day, I hope to become a neuroscientist to help people with mental disorders.

Hello! My name is Celia Heatherly, and I am a sophomore. I am devoted to protecting our First Amendment rights and allowing diverse perspectives to contribute to the education of many people across the country.

When I am not volunteering at my local animal shelter, I am spending time with my cats, reading novels, and cooking with my family.

Chelsea is a teen poet, journalist, and advocate based in Maryland. She works to protect the freedom of speech through legislative, artistic, and community-centered practices.

Outside of fighting censorship, she loves going to bookstores, public speaking, and exploring the world.

I’m Daun, a teenager going into my senior year of high school. I’m currently in an exploratory stage, trying to discover what I want to do with the rest of my life.

I’m not sure what I want to do, but I want to do something that matters, and I think that being a part of the SAS is a step in the right direction.

Hi, I’m David, and I am a rising senior (Go Class of 2026) from New York. I really enjoy running, especially marathons, and am really passionate about politics.

I am excited to be a part of the NCAC Students Advocates for Speech program and to promote free speech for people across the country

Elizabeth Foster is a junior and a 2025 National Democracy Summer Fellow working with Rep. Jared Huffman’s campaign.

She has a strong passion for writing and literature, which she explores as a student journalist and as a literacy tutor in her community.

She is especially passionate about protecting free speech and equitable educational access.

Hello, I’m Ian! I like practicing calligraphy, and I enjoy reading short fiction.

I also spend a lot of time playing real-time strategy games. Hope to get along!

Jennie-Kate Hannis is a rising senior in Virginia. She is an Online Editor for her school’s newspaper, The Woodgrove Outlander, and is passionate about protecting students from censorship.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and researching historical topics.

My name is Marshall, I am passionate about education equity, LGBTQIA+ rights, and civic engagement.

In an effort to conserve and champion critical thinking, it is essential that everyone is involved in the fight for free speech!

Hi! I’m Mirica, a current senior in Ohio. I am passionate about international affairs and citizenship, informing my goal of someday attending law school.

In my free time, I enjoy listening to lectures and podcasts, making playlists for my friends, reading, and writing immature reviews of miscellaneous things.

Hi everyone, my name is Nayimah, and I’m a rising senior who’s passionate about literature and social impact. I’m part of a book and media literacy nonprofit for underprivileged youth at my school, where I help make reading more fun and accessible.

I am very excited to be a part of this organization, and I hope this community can achieve great things together!

Hi, my name is Naziyah, and I am a high school student in North Carolina. As a person who is really into history, I constantly see things that set us back to those times, and I want to be the one, along with my other peers, to help us as a nation step forward.

This is why I am glad to be part of NCAC’s Student Advocate for Speech program.

Hi, my name is Nina, and I am a Junior from Missouri! I love running, playing pickleball, and reading.

As an active member of my School’s Debate Team, as well as Editor-in-Chief of my School’s Law Review, I’ve learned the importance of free speech and expression, so I’m very excited to work with NCAC and fight for a better future.

My name is Rebeca, and I’m a rising junior in Indiana. I’m passionate about youth leadership, advocacy, and advancing inclusive education, and I hope to deepen these values through SAS.

I channel these interests through my involvement in Diversify Our Narrative, student government, orchestra, and Speech & Debate.

Hello everyone, I am Riley, and I am a rising senior in Virginia. I am passionate about politics, advocacy, and fostering change; therefore, I have taken on numerous leadership roles in advocacy and civic engagement organizations.

In the future, I hope to attend a 4-year university and major in Public Policy, and then attend law school and become a Human Rights Lawyer.

Sam is a passionate student leader and creative thinker with a commitment to community service and advocacy. He combines his talents in photography, public speaking, and writing to amplify youth voices and create change.

Known for his inventiveness and authenticity, Sam continually strives for opportunities to meet others and make a lasting impact.

Hi, I’m Samira, and I’m a rising junior from New York! I’m so excited and honored to be a Student Advocate for Speech Leader.

In my free time, I enjoy writing poetry, reading books, drawing, and watching comedy shows.

Savannah Hopkins (she/her/hers) is a rising junior in Massachusetts who is working to graduate in 2027. She is interested in social justice, human rights, poetry, and multiple forms of art, is a basketball player, and a musician.

She is excited to be a member of SAS, not only to meet like-minded people, but to understand the legal system that she would like to go into as a career one day.

Shu Jing is a senior in High School who is passionate about democracy and constitutionalism. Outside of school, you can find her listening to Seventeen, writing articles, or reading books (like Fahrenheit 451)! In the future, she plans to pursue political science and physics (an odd combination, she knows).

Hi! My name is Sophie, and I’m a rising senior from Ohio. I enjoy writing, public speaking, and reading, all of which I have developed through leadership in my high school’s Model UN team, as well as advocacy work with the American Cancer Society.

I look forward to working with the SAS team and can’t wait to see what we accomplish.

Hi! I’m Wyatt, a rising sophomore living in Massachusetts. I’m a big fan of reading, libraries, music, disability justice, and the natural world. I’m an active member of the statewide Youth Climate Leadership Program and the Critical Action Lab, as well as a counselor-in-training with Mass Audubon.

I sing in two vocal ensembles, play the piano, swim, and volunteer with our local libraries and my town’s art center.