When most people think of students, they picture carefree kids untroubled by issues in the real world, such as taxes, politics, and finding a job. However, the reality is that an ever-growing number of students are taking the initiative to address these serious issues beyond the schoolgate and create change — these students are known as student advocates.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, advocacy is defined as “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.” When used in relation to student advocacy, the term simply refers to students taking the initiative to raise awareness and promote positive social changes. This is usually seen in student-led campaigns and activism, both within the community and on social media.

Despite the challenges that come with being a student, many student advocates persisted on their journey, largely due to their various inspirations. Like Chloe Chang, a rising sophomore at Poolesville High School, many were motivated to pursue advocacy after witnessing issues in their own community.

“Growing up in a small, predominantly white town, I faced a lot of cultural ignorance and racism as being the only Asian kid in the class,” Chang said. “Phrases such as ‘where are you really from’ and ‘why are your eyes so small’ sparked an early interest in racial justice, and as I grew up, I realized that there was a direct way to help eliminate that kind of ignorance in my community.” 

Chang has thus far been involved in statewide and local student government initiatives, such as lobbying delegates for change and discussing social issues at large-scale advocacy events. Last November, she founded Poolesville’s chapter of Amnesty International, which is the largest and oldest human rights grassroots organization. 

Much like professional legislators, student advocates focus on a myriad of issues, from human rights policies to education reform. While some are specific to the community, others exist all around the world, requiring organizations to adopt a more global approach. This becomes an additional challenge for high school students, who often lack resources and time.

Oorja Munot, a rising sophomore at Richard Montgomery High School, is the founder and president of Equality Through Education (ETE), a global nonprofit dedicated to closing the educational divide. Its main initiatives include providing free AP/IB textbooks and establishing a tutoring service. The organization has launched chapters across the nation and is currently working to expand to other countries, such as Canada and Vietnam. 

“Our main challenge right now is implementing ETE’s initiatives in other countries,” Munot said. “We’ve had some success, but I think that it’s very difficult to connect with people, especially because I’m not physically there.”

She also shared her experience testifying before the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Board of Education this past April about the educational divide prevalent throughout the county and pushed for legislation that would allow the distribution of free exams.

“When I gave my testimony to the Board, I was speaking on behalf of thousands of MCPS students who fail to succeed or unleash their full potential because of limited resources,” Munot said. “I talked about free access to AP and IB review books and I stated out statistics that I found through my research before I gave my testimony, [as well as] my own personal experience and some things that I’ve done. Then, I offered a solution to the Board and talked about funding gaps, and I think that actually passed.”

She views this as a prime example of how if students translate their passions into action, they can create a tangible and meaningful impact. Munot encourages students to get involved with advocacy due to the limitless opportunities that it provides, specifically citing Google as a valuable resource.

“Type into Google, ‘advocacy opportunities near me.’ Type into Google, ‘organizations that I can get involved in volunteer hours,’” Munot said. “You have an unlimited amount of resources literally at your fingertips. And I think that advocacy gives you a platform, but it’s up to you how you want to use that platform.”

Additionally, other student advocates view the activity as not only an outlet for their passions and views, but also a way to connect with other people. One such student is Zaria Naqvi, a rising sophomore at Churchill High School who has been involved in advocacy since middle school.

She shared her experience, saying, “So far, I have met the most passionate people and the most encouraging adults. My experiences have given me so much self confidence and have empowered me to always be ambitious and take risks. Seeing other people benefit from my work has been so fulfilling and I couldn’t be more grateful for all these opportunities.”