Yaryna Zakharko is an assistant editor for the Raider Rumbler Newspaper and a copy editor for the Replay Yearbook at Rouse High School in Leander, Texas.

“We must advocate for an environment where everyone is free to express their opinions, ideas and criticism. Only then will younger generations take action and older generations take responsibility. In an environment where speech is censored, how will people ever normalize speaking up?”



What I Do


As the South and Central Regional Organizer of New Voices Texas, my responsibility is to establish connections with schools and their students in my region. These connections could look like announcing updates on NVT’s progress or notifying them with news about upcoming events they could be a part of. I am also responsible for maintaining a constant line of communication with advisers and legislators. Often why organizations fall short of their goals is because not all participants are on the same page.

I will measure my success as an officer through the effectiveness and results of my communication with schools, students, advisers and legislators. The results could be in the form of more awareness about NVT in schools from publications or clubs, more allies in different districts contributing to our cause or responses and actions from legislators. 

This year, I strive to expand NVT’s public outreach in my region not just through social media and emails, but through phone calls and news publications. As soon as enough people are actively pursuing the same goals as we are, our combined contributions will demonstrate student press freedom is as important as institutional accountability and civil liberties.