The Student Voice Alliance Ambassador Program seeks to empower students with knowledge of education policy and provide them with structured opportunities to attend and contribute to policymaking organizations. The project aims to foster civic responsibility, amplify student voices, and improve decision-making in public education.
On January 31, 2026 Student Voice Alliance onboarded 6 Hawaiʻi Public Schools Students to participate in the program. Hawaiʻi Ambassadors testify at committee meetings of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and the Hawaiʻi State Board of Education. Ambassadors also collect and distribute viewpoints from other students in surveys.
The program will launch as a pilot in spring 2026 in North Carolina, with a maximum number of participants in each North Carolina State Board of Education region. Selected students are trained to speak up at their local school board meetings and eventually to lobby the General Assembly. Lessons learned from the pilot will guide statewide expansion over a 1-year timeline. Evaluation will include student surveys, meeting attendance logs, and board feedback.
Ehra Louise Guiwa is a proud student attending Maui High School who serves as the Executive Co–Vice President of Student Government, where she works to boost school spirit, amplify student voices, and empower her peers to step into leadership roles. Beyond campus, Ehra is actively involved in community service through St. Anthony Church and writes for the Fil-Am newspaper, helping connect Filipino American youth across generations. Aspiring to become a state senator, she is guided by Maya Angelou’s words: “People will never forget how you made them feel.”
Rex Ho is a sophomore at Kalani High School who is passionate about pursuing a career in business or politics. He is a leader in DECA and Student Government and spends his time volunteering in the community and in advocacy groups to improve the education system. Rex’s main goal is to elevate the student voice and make sure that students across the state have the best experience possible at school.
Lakeisha Quitog is a current sophomore at Waipahu High School in the Academy of Natural Resources and serves as a Hawaiʻi Student Voice Alliance Ambassador. With a strong background in agriculture and sustainability, she is passionate about supporting her community and helping others thrive. Lakeisha is committed to uplifting student voices and building meaningful connections across Hawaiʻi.
An Vo is a public health student at Hawaiʻi Pacific University and a graduate of President William McKinley High School. Born in the Philippines, of Vietnamese heritage, and raised on Oʻahu, An brings a global and local perspective to youth advocacy. He is actively involved in health and policy-focused leadership, serving as an intern for the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi Youth Council, secretary of the Oʻahu Healthy Eating & Active Living Coalition, and a leader with the Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council. An also volunteers with Helping Hands Hawaiʻi and Bristol Hospice Hawaiʻi and played the flute for seven years. Through his work, he is committed to advancing youth voice, public health, and community well-being across Hawaiʻi.
Mariam Yassine is a sophomore at James Campbell High School in ʻEwa Beach, Hawaiʻi, and serves as a Hawaiʻi Student Voice Alliance Ambassador. In this role, she works to represent the diverse perspectives of her fellow students and gather their input on education-related state legislation. Her goal is to amplify their voices and provide them with an opportunity to influence political decisions that affect education for all Hawaiʻi Students.