ARHS students join UMass-founded Leaders of Today Council

Power-sharing, equity, youth leadership, and fun are all core values of successful youth groups, and the Leaders of Today Council (the LTC), started by UMass students Lexi Polokoff and T Sogoba in the fall of 2021, is no exception.

Polokoff, has her Masters in Public Policy and Administration, and Sogoba has a BA in Journalism, African American Studies, and French.

They wanted to “bolster youth leadership and youth activism opportunities, infrastructure, and accessibility in Hampshire County in a way that was youth-driven and youth-centered.” 

According to Polokoff, the group’s accomplishments are many. “We collectively decided what our end goal is (creating and sustaining a website) and decided on a decision-making process for the group,” she said.”We have also already created a logo with other branding materials, have a draft website that many peers reviewed, and have developed and assigned roles to get ready for the website launch.”

The website launch, scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, has been a long-term project for the group. Quinn Speek, a current member of the Leaders of Today Council states, “It has taken a while, but I think that we are so close to having everything all set and ready.”

Speek, a current high school junior, has been with the group since its inception in October 2021. Speek first joined the LTC because of an email she received from Polokoff and Sogoba “asking if it would be something that [she] would be interested in. [Speek] had already been in a lot of different youth leadership programs and so [she] saw this as yet another opportunity.” 

Vanessa Cazho, a current sophomore at ARHS who also joined the LTC in 2021, viewed the Leaders of Today Council as a chance to join a youth group that works towards creating positive change in the community.

Like Speek, Cazho has also been in many youth leadership programs in the area, including but not limited to the Amherst Sunrise, Generation Ratify, Youth Council, Shout Out, and Youth/Young Adult Action Board.

Her experience as social media manager for Amherst Sunrise and Generation Ratify has allowed her to gain the skills necessary for the success of the LTC website and its launch.

Cazho describes her role as “creating an Instagram account for the LTC, following other activist groups in the area, reposting or sharing their posts, and creating content for [their] followers leading up to hopefully a successful website launch.”

Aside from a successful launch, other goals for the group according to Polokoff include “creating and sustaining a website that is constantly being updated to share out the different youth opportunities, events, and groups to get involved with, in addition to an updated list of resources that support youth organizing work.” 

Although this group has many plans and goals to achieve, they also believe that the journey to success is just as important as getting there.

Speek said that her favorite part of the project was the process of making the logo. “It came together really nice and it shows who [LTC] is,” she said.

She also enjoyed the camaraderie among the group. “We have been able to grow together and now we have a solid bond,” she said. “We have a great connection and a good environment to work together in. I really like the beginning of the meeting when we do icebreaker questions because it’s a way for me to learn more about each of the members.”

Cazho agreed.”It’s the closeness of the group that has really helped us achieve success. I love that I get to work with others my age,” she said. “That’s something that I really care about. Being a part of groups where as a young person, I am not only heard, but my opinions and ideas are valued.”

A large part of the “solid bond” and “closeness” among the eight group members is a result of the format of the virtual biweekly meetings, where shared facilitation among LTC members takes place. Members take turns sharing an icebreaker at the beginning of each meeting, leading discussions, and taking notes.

The virtual aspect of the LTC is helpful for many of the members who are still in high school and have busy schedules, which is more than half of the group. Cazho expresses that she wouldn’t have been able to join the group otherwise.

“Between field hockey, ultimate frisbee, my other activist groups, and homework as well as other academic commitments, there is no way I would’ve been able to attend in-person meetings,” said Cazho. “And since most of the meetings are after 5 p.m., it’s nice to be able to unwind after practice or homework and work on a project with people who have the same interests as me.”

Aside from the close connections, accepting environment, and passion for change-making, the LTC also helps with confidence and self-growth.

“I think that it’s really important that youth know that they can be ‘Leaders of Today’ not just leaders in the future. I think that this has been a great opportunity for me to learn and grow, and I want the same for any other youth. I think the LTC provides that for them,” said Speek.

Cazho echoed this sentiment. “The Leaders of Today Council has given me and other youth a platform to voice their opinions and spread important messages,” she said. “I think it can be seen in the name “Leaders of Today” that the group empowers youth to take a stand for our futures.”

“Before the LTC, I didn’t really have a place like that. Being a part of the group has also helped me to believe in myself and my ideas more,” she said. “Through the group, I have also improved my facilitation, communication, and leadership skills.”

As one of the two adults in the group, Polokoff strives to make those feelings of self-improvement and empowerment possible for all youth members in the group. “It is important for adults to use their power to lift youth voices and give youth tools and resources to build structures that support youth involvement in decisions and issues that affect their lives,” she said. 

The Leaders of Today Council is not affiliated with any school and is open for any Hampshire County teen or young adult who wants to join. If you’re interested in joining or want to learn more, you can email Polokoff and Sogoba at leadersoftodaycouncil@gmail.com.