The Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship is now in its third year of bringing together a talented group of middle and high school students from around the country to think globally, act locally, listen to others, and build coalitions. This year's cohort is made up of 30 students who represent 22 states. Meet five of them in Part 1 of our Meet the Fellows series.

Joy Washington, 11th Grade

Florida

Why did you want to become an Equity in Civics Youth Fellow?

I wanted to become an ECY Fellow to create a change in school systems and communities. I believe that everyone should be well-informed on issues throughout the world and in their community. I also want to support more equity throughout the nation with the work we will be doing.

Why is it essential to have student-led opportunities available for students, like the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship?

It helps students from different walks of life, backgrounds, races, cultures, beliefs, and viewpoints to come together and share their different ideas and create resolutions to many issues.

How has the Fellowship impacted your growth toward being civically-engaged?

This experience has helped me to respectfully disagree or agree without creating a hostile tone or environment. I have learned how to be open to hearing other ways of thinking. 

Joshua Anderson, 10th Grade

Massachusetts

Who is your biggest civic inspiration?

Young leaders like Jon Ossoff and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who have pushed boundaries for young people in government.

Why is it essential to have student-led opportunities available for students, like the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship?

Without these sorts of opportunities, students would never realize just how important their voices are and how essential it is that they stay engaged as the next generation of leaders.

What have you learned so far in your time with the Fellowship?

I knew that a lack of civic education was an issue nationwide, but I didn’t realize just how inconsistent the level of civic education was state by state.

Jasper Chavarria, 10th Grade

Kansas

What are you most excited about with this Fellowship?

I am most excited about meeting people who have similar goals or aspirations. It has been hard to come across like-minded people, especially due to COVID. 

Who is your biggest civic inspiration?

I think my biggest inspiration was not a person but an experience. As a child, I saw my mother struggle as a single parent trying to get her education, and seeing her struggle helped me see that civic education is something not to take for granted.

How did meeting Fellows from across the country help develop your perspective?

Understanding new perspectives helps me understand where people are coming from and their beliefs and backgrounds. Interacting with others helps me understand their view more deeply.

Ishta Wabaunsee, 11th Grade

Kansas

What are you most excited about with this Fellowship?

I am most excited about the opportunities and tools I will learn about while being in the Fellowship. So far I have already learned a lot about civic education, my community, and created new ideas with the other Fellows.

Who is your biggest civic inspiration?

My biggest civic inspiration is Autumn Peltier, an advocate for clean drinking water in Native American reservations. At such a young age, she has impacted this issue and continues to spark change internationally. She inspires me and has shown me that I can make an impact even if I am young.

How did meeting Fellows from across the country help develop your perspective?

I have learned how civic engagement impacts their community and the resources they have. I saw how different each person's community is. I also saw diverse perspectives on topics within our small groups that allowed me to learn more.

Surya Panyam, 10th Grade

Oregon

Why did you want to become an ECY Fellow?

Even though I am interested in having a career in STEM fields, I find it important to participate in a civic program and be more knowledgeable about real-world issues that impact me daily.

What are you most excited about with this Fellowship?

I am extremely excited to have more hands-on experience creating civic change and having a farther-reaching impact when doing so, whether through written pieces, videos, or other means of distributing information. Previously, I felt constrained only to create local change, but through the Fellowship, I will have the opportunity to make a much larger impact.

Who is your biggest civic inspiration?

My biggest civic inspiration is Kamala Harris, the first Indian, African, and woman to be vice president. As a member of multiple minority groups, Harris had to overcome social disadvantages to assume her current position. As a young Indian male, I now feel more motivated to create civic change and better my community.

See the full list of Fellows

Through the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship, the perspectives of high school students throughout the country contribute to the public conversation about civic education in the United States. Each contributor represents their own opinion. We welcome this diversity of perspectives.