Meet Our New SAS Student Leaders
Alexandria, 15
Georgia
Hi, I’m Alexandria. I’m a high school junior, volleyball player, artist, writer, and overall creative person. As an avid reader and writer, I understand the importance of having your story be told without limits, and I hope that me and my club will play a part in protecting every voice and story!
Aliyah, 17
Florida
Hi! My name’s Aliyah! I’m a 17-year-old aspiring creative writer. As an immigrant from Singapore, I’ve learned to value communication in my daily life and work towards creating a more inclusive society. I’m currently a captain of my school’s debate team and have published articles online. I love music, acting, reading, and speech! I’m looking into pursuing law and dramaturgy/music in college, and I’m eager to spark more important conversations through this program!
Ankita, 15
Georgia
My name is Ankita, and I will be a sophomore during the 2023-2024 school year! My passions lie in writing, music, and my community. I volunteer at my local library, participate in color guard, play flute and guitar, and write poetry whenever inspiration strikes me! I work as a volunteer editor for an organization and also hope to get my writing published somewhere. I am beyond excited to work for my community as a part of SAS!
Follow local Students for Free Speech activities on Instagram.
Branda, 16
California
Hello, my name is Branda & I live in sunny SoCal. I’ve always been a reader; I remember getting those plastic medals for reading so many books in elementary school. I got into politics during the pandemic and have since become a dedicated advocate for marginalized communities and have seen the importance of uncensored, unbiased education.
Japji,15
Ohio
Hi, my name is Japji and I am a rising sophomore from Ohio. I enjoy reading and want to be able to help teens’ voices be heard, as well as advocate for rights in my community. I’m excited to be part of NCAC and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish!
Julia, 17
Tennessee
Hi! My name is Julia. I am an active participant in many clubs in my school. More specifically, I am the president of our GSA and Young Women’s Studies Clubs. I also play competitive soccer and enjoy traveling around the country to my games. Fighting censorship is something that has become very important to me, and you can often find me at school board meetings fighting against book bans and advocating for the voices of students in my county! In the last year, I have also led a school walkout and community march to combat gun violence, and I am excited to join this project to learn how to further be a force of change in my community.
Kaya, 16
New York
Hi, my name is Kaya, and I am from Brooklyn, NY! I am currently studying Law and Society at my school. Through NCAC’s SAS program, I am fighting for freedom of speech: the foundation of American democracy. The “issues” Congress chooses to focus on are not nearly as threatening as they perceive them – freedom of speech should not suffer because of that.
Malaika, 16
California
Hello! I’m Malaika. I am a rising junior at a public high school in Southern California, where I participate in Model United Nations and Varsity Track and Field. I am passionate about restructuring the American Education, Justice, and Healthcare systems and hope to help provide my peers a safe space to advocate for what they believe in through this program.
Maggie, 16
Iowa
My name is Maggie and I am currently a junior in high school. I play volleyball and I am involved in student council and model un. Along with being in high school, I am also studying political science at the local community college. I am passionate about being a part of the change I want to see. I am incredibly excited to be a part of SAS, and I cannot wait to see the changes the NCAC and their student advocates will make!
Mariaelena, 16
California
My name is Mariaelena, and I am going to be a Senior this upcoming school year. I currently attend High School in California. I’ve lived here my entire life, and I am more than excited to start a Student Advocates for Speech Club at my school, which has never been done so before in any school near my area.
Mikaela B., 16
Nevada
Hello! My name is Mikaela and I am a rising senior from Las Vegas Nevada. I love to read, write, and act. My favorite books are The Fault in our Stars, The Perks of being a Wallflower, and Twilight. I am honored to be a member of Student Advocates for Speech and am so excited for this upcoming school year!
Mikaela H., 15
New York
Hello, my name is Mikaela, and I am a rising junior from Brooklyn, New York. I love to watch basketball, play tennis, and read. I am super excited to be a part of NCAC’s SAS team, and I cannot wait to see what we do this year!
Molly, 17
Oregon
Hi there, my name is Molly, and I’m from Tigard, Oregon. I will be a senior this 2023-24 school year and am super excited to bring SAS to my school! I hope through this club, I can help educate students and encourage people to advocate not only for their own rights, but for the rights of our community. I am also involved in journalism, volunteering, and politics, and can’t wait to bring student advocacy to Oregon!
Follow local Students for Free Speech activities on Instagram.
Nasim, 16
Texas
Hello, my name is Nasim. From early childhood till recently, I’ve always had an extreme passion for uplifting silenced and/or forgotten voices within my community. I have worked hard through a variety of local community based organizations to give back to those forgotten individuals, as well as work with several national institutes to bring activism on a much wider scale. My favorite extracurricular activity is Speech and Debate where I have since become a national semifinalist in just two years of competing. I’m excited to use my skills to help the betterment of those who need it most.
Follow local Students for Free Speech activities on Instagram.
Sreya, 16
Michigan
“Hello, my name is Sreya! I’m a sophomore soon-to-be junior from Novi, Michigan. I like playing video games, art, and piano in my free time.”
Meet Our Returning SAS Student Leaders
Chloe, 15
Connecticut
My name is Chloe, and I am from Cheshire, CT. I have a strong passion for serving those around me through numerous forms of community service, including making handmade cards of positivity for senior citizens and actively deployed soldiers of the U.S. military. I aim to assist the marginalized in society and those who face difficult circumstances in life. The people of our world have voices to share, and I strive to be an advocate in making all voices heard.
Da’Taeveyon, 15
Texas
Assalaikum, my name is Da’Taeveyon. I like playing my viola, knitting, and spending time with my friends. I also like reading books without the constant fear of them being deemed inappropriate and taken away by those who are more worried about regulating people’s right to express themselves rather than the real problem(s) of this “country.”
Follow local Students for Free Speech activities on Instagram.
Read Da’Taeveyon’s article on Intellectual Freedom in Shift Press
Max, 15
New Jersey
My name is Max and I am a soon-to-be junior. I’m very involved in local activism, including marches, protests, and speaking at Board of Education meetings. In school, I am the Vice President of our GSA club. I also do fencing and philosophy club. Outside of school I am involved in community theater and babysitting. I’m super excited to be involved in the fight against censorship in schools!
Follow local Students for Free Speech activities on Instagram.
Oliver, 16
New York
Hi, I’m Oliver! I am 16 years old, and a rising junior in Dobbs Ferry, NY. My biggest hobby is all things politics, and I also love theater, music, and reading. Participating in this project is really exciting for me! I hope to focus on student press and expression rights throughout America, as well as fighting against censorship and overbearing prior review.
Read Oliver’s opinion piece in The Hudson Independent
Owen, 15
Missouri
Hello! My name is Owen. I have worked around my school fighting for the voices and rights of students in my district, as well as leading clubs and activities supporting these ideas. I’m thrilled to be on NCAC’s SAS team!
Follow local Student Advocates for Speech activities on Instagram.
Riley, 15
Pennsylvania
I run cross country, and track and field, as well as participate in my school’s speech team. I am very excited to help teens find their voice. I hope the principles of free expression that will be practiced by students are able to transcend into the surrounding community.
Follow local Students for Free Speech activities on Instagram.
Sylvia, 15
Missouri
Hi, I am Sylvia. I will be a sophomore during the 2022-2023 school year. I am excited for the next year, to make change with the help of my peers. As well as reaching out to organizations in our community, organizing protests, and standing up for what is right. And to be on the NCAC’s SAS team!
Follow local Student Advocates for Speech activities on Instagram.
Meet Past SAS Student Leaders: 2022-2023
Cyntia
Florida
Hello, I’m Cyntia. I’m an activist in my community; I’m audacious in my speech; and I’m always willing to lend a helping hand to others. I specialize in educational inequality and spend my time spreading awareness on sexual abuse and its implications on society. I am a Prep Scholar, Hamilton Scholar, and a Pioneer Scholar.
Ian
Pennsylvania
My name is Ian and I’m a lifelong resident of Clarks Green, PA. It’s basically Scranton. I love microbiology, scary stories, and my Shih Tzu.
Katie
Missouri
Hello, my name is Katie and I am a rising junior from St. Louis, Missouri! My passions lie in advocacy and journalism, which often go hand in hand. In my free time, I also enjoy reading a good book and running recreationally. I am beyond excited to be a part of the NCAC’s SAS program, more specifically, I am looking forward to developing skills to help make my voice heard and encourage others to advocate for what is important to them. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish this year!
Sam
Texas
Learn more about the Student Advocates for Speech