2026 MyImpact Challenge Virtual Fair

0:00 I’m Gerald Gangaram, Vice President of Student Programs at the Bill of Rights Institute. Our mission is to prepare young people to participate thoughtfully and confidently in our shared civic life. That’s why I’m excited to welcome you to the 2026 MyImpact Challenge National Fair. MyImpact Challenge is the Bill of Rights Institute National Civic Engagement Contest,

0:23 inviting students from around the country to get active in their communities through service, volunteerism, and entrepreneurship at the Bill of Rights Institute. We believe citizenship doesn’t begin at 18 years old when you cast your first ballot. It starts when students identify challenges in their communities and ask, what can I do? And across the country, students are answering it in remarkable ways.

0:46 They’ve organized book drives for low income students, facilitated workshops on environmental sustainability, and found countless other ways to meet needs in the places they call home. These things matter, and they’re making a real difference. In 2026, we received hundreds of projects to national contest. We also engage with thousands of students at school civics fairs,

1:08 helping bring civic learning to life in classrooms and local communities. MyImpact Challenge is becoming a national movement, showing what can happen when young people put civic principles into practice. Today, you’ll hear about our national winners, who represent the many students who are serving, leading and demonstrating

1:29 the best of civic engagement across America. Now. The Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge is a national leadership initiative that invites American youth to identify needs in the world around them and apply their passions and skills to address those needs. Each year, participants aged 13 to 19

1:52 are challenged to recognize issues in their communities and take action to finding solutions, developing project plans, and executing their vision to drive meaningful change. Those who take up the call embody civic virtues like responsibility, humility, and justice. They are animated by a desire to drive, change and impact issues

2:16 that matter to them. The Bill of Rights Institute received hundreds of entries to the MyImpact Challenge for the 2025 2026 cycle. Applications poured in from 49 states and Washington, D.C. participants shined light on overlooked community needs, such as children

2:37 going hungry when free meals are designed solely around adult dietary preferences. They tackled monumental challenges like youth illiteracy with creative solutions. They mobilized local networks to host events for the ill and infirm. Raised funds to install lifesaving medical devices in their communities,

2:57 and used their own missions, such as expanding access to arts education to meet broader needs like fostering human connection and raising money for local charities. We are amazed and humbled by your work and hope that the High Impact Challenge represents just the beginning of your ongoing commitment to your communities.

3:22 My name is Kate Shepherd, and I’m thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge. Let’s start with our honorable mentions. Congratulations to each of the following contestants. Your projects demonstrated dedication and perseverance and stood out for their meaningful impacts.

3:44 Now for our top prizes. Third place goes to Bella Carson, Layla morena, and Reese Carson of Miami, Florida. For their project Wundie Undies. After learning about the urgent demand for undergarments, diapers and feminine hygiene products in food banks and shelters nationwide, they founded a youth led nonprofit to collect and distribute these essentials.

4:09 To date, they have donated more than 62,000 items. Our second place winner is Shelly Judaism of Irvine, California. As a young entrepreneur, Shaylee recognized the untapped potential of her peers. She created Startup Stars to provide guidance and support to other students launching businesses.

4:31 She has since coached more than 100 students, hosted a business expo featuring 52 youth ventures, and raised more than $1,200 to offset startup costs for program participants. Our first place winner is Amber Che, also from Irvine, California. Inspired by personal experience with an invisible disability,

4:54 Amber founded A Thousand Words, an advocacy program that helps individuals share their stories, educate peers, and builds connections through presentations, galleries, speaking events and media campaigns. She has reached over 2500 students in-person and more than 257,000 people overall,

5:17 with a message centered on inclusion and dignity. And now for this year’s grand prize winners. Congratulations to sisters Mira and Reshma Lalani, whose project Tech Buddies transformed a common digital age challenge into an opportunity for intergenerational connection.

5:37 After watching their grandparents struggle to complete essential tasks on their cell phones, Mira and Reshma realized just how much of modern life depends on tech literacy. They recruited and trained more than 80 youth volunteers to provide free, one on one tech support to local seniors, teaching critical skills like online security

5:58 and how to access web based health platforms. Tech buddies has since delivered personalized in-person sessions to 2000 seniors. Their website and blog share user friendly technology guidance, and have garnered more than 3 million views and engagements due to increased demand. Tech Buddies plans to expand their in-person work across five

6:20 states on behalf of the Bill of Rights Institute. I congratulate and thank everyone who participated in the 2026 MyImpact Challenge, National competition. We are amazed and humbled by your creativity, dedication and passion and hope that the projects you’ve begun are just

6:40 the beginning of your lifelong commitment to civic service.