Student voices shaping their schools and communities
Nathan Lau
Upcoming Senior • California
Nathan Lau is an upcoming senior living in California. One social issue he wants to tackle is acceptance. In a world where people struggle to accept one another, division only grows deeper — and that divide has real consequences for individuals dealing with personal challenges and trauma. Nathan is a changemaker because he wants to see a different kind of world and is willing to do the work to get there, educating people on what acceptance looks like and why it matters. He is one of many student changemakers who believe that every action toward a social good counts — whether it’s something small like doing the right thing in your daily life, or something bigger like leading a march. What makes someone a changemaker isn’t the size of the action, but the intention behind it.
Christopher Petty
12th Grade • Waunakee High School • President, Black Student Union
Christopher Petty is a 12th grader at Waunakee High School who is committed to making a positive impact in his school and community. As a changemaker, he believes everyone deserves to be treated equally and given the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of their background. That mission is especially meaningful to him as a Black leader in a predominantly white community, where he works every day to promote fairness, inclusion, and understanding. As president of Waunakee’s Black Student Union, Christopher advocates for the voices and needs of Black students while encouraging honest conversations about diversity and equality. Through his leadership, he has strengthened a sense of community at Waunakee High School and created spaces where students can connect, learn, and grow together.
Aubrey Bevenue
Rising Sophomore • Madison West High School
Aubrey Bevenue is a rising sophomore at Madison West High School with a passion for making a meaningful impact in her community. Driven and outgoing, she approaches everything — school, service, and relationships — with energy and purpose. She excels in History and English, subjects that fuel her curiosity about the world, and she already has her sights set on becoming an entrepreneur and interior designer. Aubrey is known for building strong, positive relationships with teachers, friends, and peers, bringing kindness and leadership to every environment she’s in. Outside the classroom, she stays busy with extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer work, always looking for new ways to give back and grow. She is especially close with her family, great with kids and animals, and loves traveling and learning about new cultures. With her work ethic, warmth, and commitment to making a difference, Aubrey is already growing into a leader and scholar to watch.
