Seckinger HS student selected for iCivics Youth Fellowship

     Dante Espinosa Sajami, a sophomore at Seckinger High School, was selected for the iCivics Youth Fellowship. He is one of 34 high school students across the country, and one of two from Georgia, selected to take part in the yearlong fellowship. iCivics received more than 500 applicants from 46 states and Washington, D.C.

     “Being selected as an iCivics Youth Fellow makes me feel happy, and I feel like I've been helping my community,” says Dante. “After learning more about civic engagement and how important it is in my community, I've also started to use the knowledge and spread it in my club, Amnesty. It's really helped me overall in my day-to-day life as I've been getting more civically engaged in my community.”

     Now in its seventh year, the iCivics Youth Fellowship focuses on ensuring civic education is accessible and relevant for all students in the United States. The current cohort will run through the 2025–26 school year, and help students develop leadership and communications skills as they collaborate with their peers and learn from experts in the field of civic education. Students will engage in virtual group discussions, workshops, and lectures with experts in the field, and undertake projects designed to strengthen their listening and collaborative skills.

     “What makes Dante a special student is his genuine drive to grow and contribute. He doesn’t wait for someone to point him toward an opportunity; he finds the opportunities himself,” adds Amanda Runkel, Seckinger High Civic Engagement and AP Comparative Government teacher. “I’ve watched [Dante] pursue experiences that challenge him, build his skills, and allow him to make a real impact in our community. That kind of initiative—being action-oriented rather than reactive—is what truly sets him apart.”

     Founded in 2009 by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, iCivics is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing civic learning by providing educators and students with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to embrace and engage in civic life together. Over the past seven years, the iCivics Youth Fellowship has helped students from across the country build civic leadership skills and explore ways to make civic education relevant and accessible to all young people.