Courage and Conviction

Meet four young women sparking change and unity

Last year youth nationwide rose up as leaders, despite personal and societal difficulties. In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8), we’re highlighting four local young women working hard to create opportunities and shine a light for others. They honor veterans, combat racial disparity and create unique support systems for peers. I spoke to these young role models about their inspiration, work and plans to continue making a difference in San Diego and beyond.

Sophia Righthouse, 18

Founder, Valuing Our Veterans

At age 12, Sophia Righthouse loved listening to neighbor Tom Lingley’s stories about the U.S. Navy. “He was an amazing role model who pushed me to strive for my dreams,” she says. Recognizing veterans’ often overlooked sacrifices, Righthouse wanted to honor Lingley’s service. She asked if he’d like a flagpole installed in his yard to display a U.S. flag and a U.S. Navy flag. He responded with a resounding yes. Working with the Miramar Young Marines, a leadership program of which Righthouse has been a member since age 8, she raised money through GoFundMe and local organizations such as the Elks and Town Councils.

Her act of kindness for one neighbor blossomed into a passion project. Sophia founded “Valuing Our Veterans,” a program that seeks out veterans, listens to stories about service and offers them the opportunity to be honored by a platoon with the installation of a flagpole and a flag-raising ceremony. “It brings them joy to be recognized openly in the community,” says Righthouse.

If you know a San Diego County veteran who would like a flagpole, email miramar@youngmarines.com for more information.

Righthouse received the Young Marine Distinguished Order of Merit (the highest award a Young Marine can earn) for her efforts. She was also recently awarded a national scholarship, which includes the opportunity to travel to Guam and Iwo Jima. She will accompany WWII veterans for the Reunion of Honor, which commemorates the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Currently a senior at Westview High School in Rancho Peñasquitos, Righthouse created an online platform for Young Marines to connect and learn. Over 1,000 members nationwide have met virtually, participating in Zoom sessions and PowerPoint presentations about leadership, fitness, history and science. Learn more about the Young Marines program at www.youngmarines.com.

Aya Jaffer, 15 Joy Ruppert, 16

Youth Co-Leaders, Encinitas4Equality

Galvanized by last summer’s social justice movement, San Dieguito Academy students Aya Jaffer and Joy Ruppert began looking for opportunities to create change. “I knew I could use my skills to make an impact toward progressive change within my community,” says Ruppert. “When I heard that Encinitas4Equality (E4E) was creating committees to fight for racial justice, that was my chance to get involved.”

Jaffer feels an innate passion to advocate for social justice. “As an Arab American, it’s always been important for me to stand up for fellow minorities in my community to ensure their safety and comfort,” she says.

Ruppert concurs. “My heart has always been passionate for activism,” she says. “I am a Chinese adoptee. Diversity and inclusion have always been very important to me. I want all minorities to feel heard, welcomed and represented.”

As co-leaders of E4E, the girls conducted webinars withguest speakers from local universities to raise awareness about ethnic studies courses and to teach skills to advocate for diversity within schools. The youth committee then constructed proposals addressing the lack of diversity in the district’s secondary curriculum and promoted an online template, allowing teens to share their experiences with racism and exclusion. The group requested a special meeting with the school board to address their concerns, but it was denied. In response, Jaffer and Ruppert organized a protest, displaying their school community’s persistent desire for change. According to the girls, there was an amazing turnout, but there was still no response from the board.

The young women remain hopeful, now working with individual schools. They created the MultiCultural AntiRacism Coalition at San Dieguito High School Academy, which helps foster and support other anti-racist clubs throughout the district. Learn more at www.encinitas4equality.org.

Sanvi Pal, 17

President and CEO, Light the Way Project

The child of first-generation immigrants, Pal found navigating high school difficult because the U.S. education system differs greatly from her parents’ school experience. She recalls feeling overwhelmed by choosing classes and extracurriculars as a high school freshman.

“That’s why I created Light the Way Project, a peer-mentorship platform where students help students,” says Pal. “I wanted to enable others to make the best of high school and find their motivation to impact the world positively.”

Enlisting a group of friends at Del Norte High School (4S Ranch) who share her passion, Pal launched the organization, which offers webinars for high schoolers on helpful topics such as time management, resume writing, internships and volunteer opportunities. The group recently hosted a technology and entrepreneurship summit featuring industry leaders who shared their experiences. Each webinar has reached about 100 students.

Recruiting a team with strong, diverse skills in web design, marketing and finances has been key to the group’s success. “We all have something unique and invaluable to offer the world,” says Pal. “If everyone lived up to their potential, the value we would add to our communities would be far greater.”

Light the Way has high ambitions for the future and is taking steps to make them a reality. By connecting online with teens who share their mission, they have helped open chapters of their organization in D.C., New York, Virginia and Texas.

They are also partnering with nonprofit Disability:IN to learn how to help high schoolers with disabilities gain internships and jobs. “We believe it will push us one step closer to a world where the disabled community is completely integrated into our society.” Learn more about their efforts on Instagram at www.instagram.com/light.the.way.project. v

Cherie Gough is a freelance writer and former high school teacher who loves sharing stories about innovators and activists.

March 2021 • SanDiegofamily.com