2025 MyImpact Challenge Virtual Fair

0:06 Hi I’m David Bobb, president and CEO of the Bill of Rights Institute. It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 My Impact Challenge virtual citizenship Fair. My impact challenge is the Bill of Rights Institute’s National Civic Engagement Contest, highlighting students engaged in service, volunteerism and entrepreneurship in their communities.

0:28 When we launched My Impact Challenge nationally a few years ago, we set out to answer a few simple but important questions. How can we get young people more civically engaged in their communities? How can we help them learn to apply founding principles like liberty, justice, and equality in their everyday lives?

0:48 And how can we support those students as they work within their communities to solve problems and create opportunities for their fellow citizens? Fast forward to today, and hundreds of young people from every corner of America have submitted their community projects to My Impact Challenge. Students have worked to stock local food banks, provide services for people

1:11 with disabilities, teach music in low income schools, and so much more. We’ve hit the road to offering regional My Impact Challenge fairs in states like Missouri, New York, Oklahoma and Utah. My Impact Challenge is more than a student contest. It’s becoming a movement spurring youth civic engagement nationwide.

1:33 This year, I’m proud to report that the Bill of Rights Institute received a record number of student project submissions to My Impact Challenge today. You’ll hear from some of our winners, and we can’t wait to introduce you to these talented, civically engaged young people who are making a difference all across our country. My Impact

1:53 Challenge is a powerful celebration of civic engagement where young changemakers take center stage. We invited students aged 13 to 19 nationwide to share their community driven projects rooted in volunteerism, public service or social entrepreneurship. This year, students from Coast to coast and everywhere

2:13 in between rose to the challenge. We received hundreds of entries from students in 37 states and Puerto Rico from Hawaii to Maine and Minnesota to Florida, from big cities to small towns, from sprawling suburbs to rural communities. Students asked what can I do?

2:35 Some students launched far reaching initiatives like statewide advocacy to promote safe teen driving and working to end food insecurity nationally, even worldwide. Others started small hyperlocal efforts, organizing book drives, cleaning up their local parks, or bringing their school communities together no matter the size or scope.

2:57 Each project showed the same commitment a belief that civic action starts with empathy, effort, and a willingness to lead. Students poured their passion for music, dance, and debate into programs to support the next generation of learners. Others connected civic skills to Stem and started companies to support small businesses in their communities.

3:19 And behind each idea was a young person putting civic skills into practice, researching issues, collaborating with community members, speaking up and following through. Today we’re celebrating that innovative spirit the drive to see problems not as obstacles, but as opportunities for change. These students didn’t wait for someone else to solve the problem.

3:42 They stepped forward with purpose. Each of our entrants, through their creative initiatives, has demonstrated how each innovation can be a powerful force for change in every American community, thanks to their efforts. Communities are not only healthier and more connected, they’re more hopeful. My impact challenge is more than a contest. It’s a movement, one that affirms the importance

4:04 of civic, agency, character and community. It shows us what happens when young people don’t just learn about civics in the classroom and live its values out loud. My name is Emma Grahn. I am thrilled to announce the winners of the Bill of Rights Institute’s 2025 My Impact Challenge.

4:27 This year, our judges were inspired by a tremendous range of creative, thoughtful, and impactful projects. Each project is a testament to the power of individual initiative grounded in active citizenship. This competition reminds us of the incredible power young people have to drive meaningful change in their communities.

4:47 And so, before we announce our winners, I’d like to begin by thanking every student who participated. Your commitment to strengthening your communities reflects the best of civic virtue and action. And now we’ll move on to our top prizes for this year’s contest. Starting with our third prize winners, these students developed an innovative solution to a local problem.

5:11 Please join me in congratulating Leo Choki, Mohamed El Sherbini, El Kim and Justin On for their environmental restoration project. Reimagine Inc.. Next, our second prize goes to a student whose thoughtful and effective project, One World Reading Initiative, earned high praise from our judges.

5:31 Congratulations. Aliyah Majid Hall. Our first prize winners displayed an exceptional leadership, creativity and civic responsibility. Congratulations to Arthur Hu, Caleb Kurlansky and Sanaya Mean for founding pivot, a nonpartisan, youth led

5:52 think tank designed to amplify youth voices in policy. And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the announcement of the grand prize winner of the 2025 My Impact Challenge. This project received the highest score from our final known judges, and truly exemplifies how the founding principles and civic virtues

6:12 can come to life through action. It is my great pleasure to announce the grand prize of $10,000 goes to William, Ma for his outstanding project, Reach Through Rackets, which provides accessible tennis programing for children with disabilities. On behalf of the Bill of Rights Institute. Thank you again to every student who participated.

6:34 Your dedication to making an impact in your communities embodies the very best of what it means to be a citizen, and offers a roadmap for others looking to make a difference. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the educators, families, and community members who supported these students along the way. Your guidance and encouragement are invaluable.

6:58 To learn more about all of our winners, including the submissions that received an Honorable Mention this year, visit the My Impact page at my Bracketology. Congratulations once again to all our winners and participants. We can’t wait to see the continued impact you will make, not just today, but for years to come. Thank you.