Poojasai Kona is the Managing Editor for Visual Journalism of the Raccoon Rambler, the student newspaper of Frisco High School in Frisco, Texas.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves — and that’s what the passing of a New Voices law in Texas helps ensure. If such censorship of student journalists is present, how will we accurately represent diverse groups of students and ideas?”

What I Do

As the State Organizing Officer, I work to lead and support our regional organizers across North, East, South, and West Texas to ensure we stay on track with our outreach initiatives. I also prioritize building and strengthening relationships with allied organizations, especially those aligned with our mission of advocating for student press rights. 

My responsibilities include collaborating with regional organizers to design and implement outreach initiatives that help spread awareness about our mission. I also work to maintain strong ties with grassroots organizations and seek out new partnerships that can help us amplify student voices across the state. 

I will measure success as an officer by the number and depth of relationships we build with student journalists, educators, and advocacy partners. We’ll be able to see this by keeping track of all the individuals who are wanting to volunteer with us and the different events we’re able to put together with other organizations. 

By the end of the school year, I want to help develop multiple outreach initiatives we implement throughout the year, onboard new partners, and ensure that student press freedom becomes a shared movement between everyone we reach and work with.