During our inaugural year, 55 SCAN Student Ambassadors worked throughout the school year to mobilize their school communities to take action on behalf of kids around the world. From organizing book drives to showing documentaries to tabling on campus, students reached hundreds of their peers with the powerful message of investing in kids.
Check out the recap from this year and join us in celebrating our Student Ambassadors’ work to advocate for kids!
Nationwide
The Student Ambassador Program works on the local, state and national levels. During the fall semester, students joined together to organize “Under One Sky” events, which raised awareness for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and the need to end extreme poverty. Two Student Ambassadors also joined a group of students from around the world at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September to advocate for ending treatable and preventable deaths of moms and kids.
In all, Student Ambassadors organized over 100 events. Here are a few highlights:
Above (left): Students and community members gathered for the Under One Sky event in Charleston, South Carolina, where they lit candles for each of the Sustainable Development Goals. Middle: Sruthi and Chloe, two of our Student Ambassadors, at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Right: Students from around the world, gathered in New York City for the 70th annual United Nations General Assembly. Students advocated for an end to extreme poverty and ending treatable and preventable deaths of moms and kids.
During the spring semester, students organized Weeks of Action around saving moms and kids and expanding access to preschool for all kids.
Above (upper left): Students at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts host a Cookies & Cocoa event to raise awareness for early childhood education during the Week of Action for Early Ed. Upper right: Students at Concord High School in New Hampshire hosted a “Wear Red for Early Ed Day” at their school. Lower left: University of South Carolina students pose after their film screening event where they educated the USC community about saving the lives of moms and kids. Lower right: An Illinois State University Student Ambassador tables on campus with club members to advertise their photo gallery during the Week of Action to Save Moms and Kids!
Our Student Ambassadors have also participated in the High 5 for Kids Campaign, a campaign dedicated to raising the visibility of kid’s issues during the presidential election. Below are just a few (of many!) campaign events our students attended throughout the school year!
Left to right: Student Ambassador Ashley with her mom and Governor Jeb Bush; Urbandale High School student Mariah with Senator Bernie Sanders; students from the University of South Carolina with Senator Marco Rubio; Students from Iowa with Secretary Hillary Clinton.
LOCALLY
At the local level, students worked throughout the school year to educate and activate their friends, families, teachers and peers. Check out the highlights from our students’ work across the country.
In Washington State…
Student Ambassadors at Lakeside Academy and University Prep held a number of educational and outreach events including Student Ambassador Bella speaking on a panel at the Gates Foundation (left); Bella, Nick and Daphne tabling at their school (middle) and Chloe arranging a photo gallery to raise awareness for early childhood education (right).
Pictured above: Student Ambassadors Daphne and Nick deliver early childhood education petitions to the offices of Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell.
Student Ambassadors helped lead a community canvass event to advocate for the Best Starts for Kids ballot initiative in King County, Washington.
Our Washington students do awesome work! Way to go, Bella, Daphne, Nick, Chloe, Alex and Kasha!
In Iowa…
Student Ambassadors at Drake University hosted a screening of a clip from A Path Appears, focused on early childhood education services for kids in need. Community volunteers and a Student Ambassador from Iowa State University came to support the event!
Iowa Student Ambassadors helped with visibility outside of several presidential debates and at the Iowa caucuses in January and February.
High school students attended the Iowa Youth Caucus, which SCAN helped to sponsor. They learned about the caucus process and the ways to connect with presidential candidates.
Shout out to our Iowa Student Ambassadors: Sruthi, Kaitlin, Taylor, Alyssa, Mercedes, Mariah and Sarah!
In Illinois…
Students from Illinois State University and the University of Chicago Lab School showed screenings of the documentary, A Path Appears, and educated their peers about the need to save the lives of moms and kids.
Student Ambassadors Emily and Cecily delivered early education petition signatures to Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and Student Ambassador Natalie delivered signatures to Congressman Mike Quigley showing support for early childhood education.
Students Ambassadors at Bradley University, Illinois State University and Richwoods High School started Save the Children Action Network clubs at their schools. Their campus clubs are a great way to spread awareness about SCAN’s work and how other students can use their voice to make a difference.
Way to go, Illinois Student Ambassadors Nakia, Ola, Emily, Cecily, Marisa, Amy, Madi, Sophie, Simone, Frank, Jessica and Natalie!
In South Carolina…
Student Ambassadors at the University of South Carolina, College of Charleston and Furman University all attended presidential candidate events and debates to remind candidates to invest in kids!
Pictured above: Student Ambassadors hosted numerous campus and community events to educate and raise awareness for kids around the world.
Pictured above: South Carolina Student Ambassadors participated in several meetings with South Carolina elected officials throughout the school year.
Shout out to our incredible South Carolina Student Ambassadors Morgan, Jimmy, Ridge, Ashley, Holland, Kjersti, Laurin, Jessica, Paris, Julia, Abby, Ja’Varis, Shelby, Savannah, Christine, Emily, Alicia and Abby!
In New Hampshire…
New Hampshire Student Ambassadors advocated for expanded access to early childhood education at presidential candidate events and debates.
Pictured above: Student Ambassadors at Concord High School educated their peers about the importance of early childhood education through classroom presentations, tabling and other visibility opportunities.
Pictured above: New Hampshire Student Ambassadors advocating for kids!
Way to go, New Hampshire Student Ambassadors Jennika, Nicole, Jaelyn, Laura, Sarah, Grace, Lina and Abby!
In Massachusetts…
Deerfield Academy Student Ambassadors hosted a screening of the documentary A Path Appears for their school community.
Deerfield Student Ambassadors use their voice to advocate for kids through organizing educational initiatives on campus and encouraging their peers to take action on behalf of kids in need.
Awesome work, Deerfield Student Ambassadors Ethan, Virginia and Kate!
We can’t wait to see what our Student Ambassadors accomplish next! Learn more about the Student Ambassador Program.