When Briarcliff High School junior Zahra Choudhri began researching civic education for an AP research project, one statistic stood out to her: 76 percent of high school seniors fall below a proficient level of civic knowledge. For Zahra, the number was not just surprising; it felt wrong to her.
“Teenagers are entering a society driven by voices without being given the tools to use their own,” she said.
That realization planted the seed for Forward Voices, a student-led initiative founded by Zahra and Sleepy Hollow High School sophomore Marley DeFillipis. Launching this year in Westchester, Forward Voices aims to expand access to civic education through free workshops held at local high schools and public libraries,
Both founders serve on the State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ Youth Advisory Council, an experience that helped shape their understanding of civic engagement as something rooted not only in policy, but in empathy, dialogue and connection.
One moment in particular stood out for Zahra: a Youth Advisory Council Community Resource Fair, where she spoke with organizations including: NAACP, Neighbors Link and the Westchester County Human Rights Commission.
“Those conversations made me feel like my voice truly mattered,” she said. “From that moment on, I knew I wanted to help all teenagers feel the same way.”
For Marley, the inspiration came from watching her peers. Growing up in a family that encouraged active community involvement, she noticed that many students around her cared deeply about issues such as climate policies, voting rights, and education reform, but often many of her peers stayed silent.
“They didn’t feel confident enough to speak,” she said. “Watching passionate students hold back was a turning point for me.”
Through its workshops, the initiative introduces students to different areas of public policy, opportunities for involvement, and practical ways to engage, whether that means researching an issue, contacting an elected official or simply learning how to confidently express an opinion.
The founders are intentional about where conversations are taking place. By hosting workshops in both schools and public libraries, Forward Voices aims to remove barriers to participation.
“Civic engagement shouldn’t require private connections or special invitations,” Marely said. “These are familiar, accessible spaces where students already feel comfortable.”
The workshops also challenge the idea that speaking up only looks one way. Zahra emphasizes that civic voices can take many forms.
“It doesn’t only mean standing in front of a crowd,” she said. “It can be creating art, having meaningful conversations, or using your skills whether in computer science, nursing or architecture, to make an impact.”
Looking ahead, both founders are realistic but hopeful about the initiative’s impact. They know it won’t reach everyone, and that’s OK.
“If even a few students walk away feeling empowered or like they learned something,” Zahra said, “our mission has been successful.”
Marely agrees, adding that confidence has a ripple effect. “Small conversations lead to bigger ones,” she said. “That’s how civic engagement becomes ordinary instead of intimidating.”
In a time when many young people feel disconnected from the systems that shape their lives, Forward Voices offers something simple but powerful: space to learn, listen and to be heard.
