Youth Outreach and Civic Engagement

What We Do

Headed by the YOCE team, the League of Women Voters of Champaign County encourages civic engagement by promoting voter registration and voter education to young people in the community. 

Why It Matters

Educating young voters about the political process can build lifelong habits, create a familial dialogue about citizenship, and increase voter turnout. 
- Citizens Clean Elections Commission

Every election is determined 
​by the people who show up. 
​          ― Larry Sabato, Pendulum Swing

Student Ambassador Program

The League of Women Voters of Champaign County is a nonpartisan organization committed to getting our local citizens registered to vote. We are excited to help local youth with an interest in voting rights, policy, and politics find ways to pursue those interests. The new Student Ambassador Program provides opportunities for young people to educate and empower members of their school or community to register to vote when eligible.

​If you are a Champaign County high school student 16 years of age or older you may apply to be a League of Women Voters of Champaign County Student Ambassador. If you know an eligible student you may nominate them to be an ambassador. The Student Ambassador Program is open to all genders.

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Eligibility for Student Ambassadors

• The student must be a junior or senior and enrolled as a high school student for the 2023/24 school year (both fall and spring semesters).
• The student must be 16 years of age or older.
• The student must be available 4-8 hours each month for Student Ambassador activities.

Responsibilities

Ambassadors will work closely with the LWVCC's Youth Outreach and Civic Engagement Team. Prior experience is not required as training will be provided. 

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Examples of Student Ambassador Activities

• Organize a voter registration event with the support of the League of Women Voters of Champaign County. 
• Post information about voting and voter registration opportunities for other students on various social media platforms.
• Attend monthly training sessions offered by the Youth Outreach and Civic Engagement Team to learn about voter registration options, forms, and more.
• Display non-partisanship while acting  in your capacity as Student Ambassador (i.e., cannot endorse a specific candidate on Student Ambassador posts.)
• Attend one or more league-sponsored events.

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Meet last year's 
​Student Ambassadors

• Amari Johnson, Urbana High School
• Janaki Kapadia, University Laboratory High School
• Ronan Looney, Urbana High School
• Lucy Moss, Champaign Central High School
• Emonie Robinson, Champaign Central High School​​

• Safa Shakir, University Laboratory High School
• Eliza Teriez, Urbana High School
• Tess Uricoechea, Urbana High School
• Ivy Wright, Unity High School

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Upcoming LWVCC YOCE Events

2023-24 Student Ambassador Training Dates - Time to be determined

• September 10, 2023
• October 1, 2023
• November 5, 2023
• December 3, 2023

• January 7, 2024
• February 4, 2024
• March 3, 2024
• April 7, 2024

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Contact the Youth Outreach & Civic Engagement Team

For more information about Youth Outreach and Civic Engagement, contact the team leads: Lynda Minor or Rhonda Kirts. You can also send an email to  yoce.lwvcc@gmail.com. 

Team Members: Lynda Minor (team co-lead), Rhonda Kirts (team co-lead), Natalie Frankenberg, China Huff, Leslie Sherman, and Paula Strong
​Consulting and Periodic Members: Kanittha Fay and Ann Prisland

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