30 Years of Charter Schools, 30 Examples of Hope

Opportunity

To mark 30 years of the opportunity and options in education that public charter schools provide millions of families, during National Charter Schools Week 2021, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is honoring 30 outstanding young leaders who are connected to charter schools and using their ideas, talents and platforms to make the world a better place for all. Here are a few of the 30 Under 30 Changemakers, bringing hope, inspiration and change to their communities and the world.


Najah Aqeel, 14, Nashville, Tenn. Najah made history this year when she led a nationwide rule change to ensure high school volleyball athletes can wear religious headwear without seeking permission. Najah, a Muslim student and volleyball athlete at Valor Collegiate Prep High School, was forbidden from participating in a freshman volleyball game in 2020 due to a National Federation of High School (NFHS) rule requiring written approval for religious head coverings. Najah rallied support to change the rule at both the state and national level. As a result of her advocacy, volleyball athletes can wear hijabs or other religious head coverings freely without prior written permission. The NFHS announced it will pursue changes that will impact other sports in the future.

Artemisio Romero y Carver, 18, Santa Fe, N.M. Artemisio is a high school senior at New Mexico School for the Arts—and a climate activist. He is the co-founder and policy director of Youth United For Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA), a local nonprofit that trains young activists in social and environmental justice organizing and supports intergenerational campaigns to advance climate justice, transformative education, sustainability, democracy, and civil rights. In Spring 2020, Artemisio was named Santa Fe’s youth Poet Laurette and earned First Place in Specialty Articles during the New Mexico Press Women’s 2020 Communications Contest. His writing has appeared in numerous publications.

Kwastlmut Sadie Olsen, 19, Bellingham, Wash. Kwastlmut is an advocate for Indigenous rights and an active participant in community healing. She’s been instrumental in the startup of Whatcom Intergenerational High School, an innovative new charter school that will open its doors this fall. As an Indigenous student, Kwastlmut advocates for Indigenous cultural ways to be included in curriculum, policies, and practices. She is a member of the Northwest Portland Area Youth Indian Health Board and she co-facilitates diverse groups of students and adults for Western Washington University’s Community Engagement Fellows.

Adriana Mancini, 22, Palm City, Fla. An alumna of Clark Advanced Learning Center, Adriana’s passion for sustainability and community outreach began in elementary school when she founded Team Green Martin, a recycling program that pairs students with disabilities with peer mentors. Today, Adriana leads Students4H2O, which she founded to encourage students to be a part of the solution to end the global water crisis. Her efforts have helped raise more than $100,000 to provide clean water and sanitation to developing countries.

Kyle Denman, 26, Los Angeles, Calif. Kyle is a “political scientist with a passion for fashion” whose mission is to create social change, share cultural narratives, and humanize the experiences of underserved communities. This political science major-turned fashion designer and 2018 Young Fashion Designer of the Year has made his mark at New Village Girls Academy in Los Angeles, a high school for young women who are survivors of human trafficking, homelessness, drug and substance abuse, and domestic violence. As the school’s Enrichment Programs Coordinator, he leads art enrichment and fashion design programs, plans ‘Leaving to Learn’ experiences, and helps students access the supports and resources they need.

Read more about each 30 Under 30 Changemaker and join the National Alliance for the 30 Under 30 Virtual Awards Ceremony, featuring interviews with several of the honorees on May 12 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Register here.

National Charter Schools Week (May 10-15) recognizes more than 200,000 dedicated teachers, 3.3 million students, and 7,500 public charter schools across the nation. This year’s celebration marks the 30th anniversary of the first charter school law, which changed the future of public education and student success forever. In honor of the movement’s history and future, this year’s theme is National Charter Schools Week 2021: 30 Years Strong.

Solution Areas:

Public Education Choice

Topics:

Charter Schools

About the Author

Jennifer Diaz is the vice president of communications for the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools. In this role, she provides strategic advice and leads the organization’s media relations and outreach efforts.