Hinsdale Central Student Joins Equity Program

Press release from Suzan Nofal:

Oct. 24, 2020

Suzan Nofal, a student at Hinsdale Central High School, has been selected as a member of the inaugural Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship, a year-long program that will engage high school students from across the country to both explore how to make civics more inclusive and relevant to Americans of all backgrounds and to become civic leaders.

Funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the fellowship is part of a broader initiative of iCivics to explore the challenges that civic education has when it comes to providing relevant and equitable civics. The fellowship gives students the opportunity to work with experts in civic engagement, advocacy, social and traditional media, and digital literacy to help build leadership and communication skills so that they can become student ambassadors for equity in civic education.

Throughout the course of the 2020-2021 school year, the fellows will participate in virtual workshops designed to prepare students to tell their stories about equity in civics in compelling ways. By the close of the program, fellows are expected to launch a national student-led social media campaign, engage in group discussions on equity, civic education, civic engagement, produce written pieces and media projects on equity in civics, and collaborate on a virtual showcase on student voice.

In addition, fellows will contribute their perspectives to other initiatives led by iCivics. Students will engage with the CivXNow Coalition, a national cross-partisan coalition of over 100 organizations focused on improving our nation’s K-12 in and out-of-school civic education, and consult with the Educating for American Democracy initiative - a nonpartisan effort to produce a roadmap for integrating history and civic education for all learners.

Suzan Nofal is one of 22 fellows. Selected students represent major urban centers on the east and west coasts, rural communities, suburban communities, and a cross-section of socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. Applicants were nominated by teachers and mentors for the program and then submitted a self-assessment and essay for consideration.

Suzan Nofal is a 16-year-old junior with a strong passion for prison reform, healthcare, immigration, and food insecurity.

“I decided to join the fellowship because of my love and passion for community service. I believe I can make a difference locally and make a change on a national scale. I hope to run for public office in the future and I’m doing everything I can as a high school student to make sure my peers are civically aware and are responsible citizens,” says Nofal.

Suzan Nofal and the other 21 fellows participated in a weekend series of virtual meetings and workshops that kicked off the fellowship, including an inspirational session with guest speaker Education Evangelist Jaime Casap, formerly from Google.

"We’ve witnessed this year, and throughout history, the impact of student’s voice and student civic engagement. This program is designed to equip students with the skills they need to help them communicate their civic passions effectively.” Amber Coleman-Mortley, iCivics Director of Social Engagement and Fellowship Program Director.

Join students when they launch their #CivicsForUS social media campaign on Monday, March 8th, 2021.

This press release was produced by Susan Nofal. The views expressed here are the author's own.