VAHSD IN THE NEWS Virginia set to pass historic bill giving students time off to protest — because teen Republicans and Democrats teamed up to demand it Hannah NatansonThe Washington PostFeb. 2, 2021 It began with a one-word private message on Twitter in late December. “Sup,” wrote the Teenage Republican Federation of Virginia at 3:21 p.m. Adrian Klaits, 15-year-old vice chair of the Virginia Young Dems Teen Caucus, recalled momentary panic as his group struggled to craft a reply that would “keep it professional.” Students successfully lobby for new state law excusing them from school to protest Julia ChernerABC NewsMar. 30, 2021 Middle and high school students across Virginia will soon be excused from school to participate in a protest or civic event thanks to a bipartisan group of students from Virginia Young Democrats and Virginia Teenage Republicans who joined forces to successfully lobby for the new law, which started as a school board policy in Fairfax County. Virginia teens push for excused school absence to protest Fox 5 DCFeb. 2, 2021 Republicans and Democrats— working together to pass unprecedented legislation. We’re not talking about Capitol Hill, but rather a group of Virginia high schoolers who have united for a cause. Fairfax County teen uses political passion to encourage young people's civic engagement WJLAMay 19, 2021 Now as a 16-year-old sophomore, he plays varsity baseball at Marshall High School, is a member of the debate club, and serves on the Virginia Young Democrats Teen Caucus. Local student helps affect policy change Tyler HammelThe Daily ProgressFeb 9, 2021 Padilla, who serves as the southside regional chair for the Virginia Young Democrats, was one of several students who worked over the last several months to lobby lawmakers and testify in favor of the legislation. Marshall High Junior Leads Statewide Effort to Allow Student Civic Absences Matt DelaneyFalls Church News-PressFeb 11, 2021 Virginia’s General Assembly is on the verge of passing a bill that allows middle and high schoolers to take an absence in order to stay civically involved, and one Marshall High student is largely to thank. House passes Del. Rasoul's youth civic engagement bill Amy FriedenbergerRoanoke TimesJan 22, 2021 Matthew Savage was able to testify to a House committee because his Fairfax County high school has a policy to excuse students for participating in a civic activity. Savage, the chairman of the Virginia Young Democrats Teen Caucus, was speaking in support of a bill to ensure more students in Virginia have that same ability. Getting Involved: New Law Lets Virginia Students Take Time Off For Civics Amie Knowles Va DogwoodApr 26, 2021 When most think about people actively involved in politics, Virginia students aren’t typically at the top of the list. However, one Fairfax County teen broke the mold when he pushed for legislation – and won. WAHS senior testifies to Virginia Senate sub-committee Andrew WebbNBC 29 WVIRFeb 3, 2021 A Western Albemarle High School student had the opportunity to testify to members of the Virginia Senate. Virginia Young Democrats Southside Regional Chair Hadrien Padilla spoke to a subcommittee about a bill that would grant middle and high school students one excused half day per school year to be involved with civic or political engagement.
