Student Voice Alliance

Katelyn Beal is a sophomore at the Johnston County Career and Technical Leadership Academy (CTLA) and a student in the Paralegal Program through Johnston Community College. She serves as the Deputy Director of Engagement for Student Voice Alliance, is active on the CTLA Debate Team (running for Vice President), and participates in the Random Acts of Kindness Club. Katelyn also serves as YLA Agriculture Co-Chair and is a leadership team member for the Johnston County Youth Empowerment Program. She has been accepted into the 2026 North Carolina Governor’s Page Program and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.

Beau Combopiano is the Director of Engagement for Student Voice Alliance and a junior in Wake County Public Schools. At school, she serves as Debate Captain, Junior Class President, Vice President of the Politics Club, and leader of the Leadership Academy. She also represents her peers on the Superintendent Committee, sits on the school’s Appeals and Approvals Board, and is a member of National Honor Society. Beyond school, Beau is a classical pianist, author, piano teacher, youth attorney in Teen Court, and Senior Chair of Education in the Youth Legislative Assembly.

Nicholas Fasan is a sophomore in the International Baccalaureate program of Alamance-Burlington Schools, where he serves in the student council and the National English Honor Society (NEHS), organizing several volunteer opportunities. He also has participated in the Model United Nations team at Elon University, the North Carolina Mock Trial (NCMT) program, and the National History Day (NHD) research competition, winning a military history award at the state competition. Finally, he has been a part of the environmental committee in the Youth Legislative Assembly, where he won best witness. Outside of school, he has a passion for cooking and baking, and has secured a job as a pastry cook at a AAA rated restaurant, Saint Jacques at The Burke Manor Inn.

Ian House is a passionate advocate for student voice and civic engagement in North Carolina. As Senior Director and Founder of Student Voice Alliance and a Student Advisor to the State Board of Education, he works to amplify student perspectives in education policy. Ian also serves as Speaker of the Youth Legislative Assembly and a Programs Assistant at the North Carolina Museum of History. A senior in Wake County Public Schools, he is deeply engaged in exploring the state’s government, politics, and history.

Quinn Kaufmann is a junior in Gaston County Schools and serves as a Social Media Officer for Student Voice Alliance. At school, she is the first junior co-president of the Model United Nations club and a member of the National Honor Society, where she has logged the most service hours in her chapter. Quinn is also a student-athlete, having received the Coaches Award for tennis in recognition of her leadership and dedication. Outside of school, Quinn serves as the envirronmental co-chair in the Youth Legislative Assembly.

Caleb Lee is a sophomore at the Johnston County Career and Technical Leadership Academy (CTLA), where he is part of the Paralegal Pathway. He is an active student leader, serving as head of Journalism and a member of the Johnston County Youth Empowerment leadership team. Caleb previously served as YLA Business Co-Chair and currently represents his community as a member of the Clayton Youth Council. He is also running for Debate Club President, demonstrating his commitment to leadership, communication, and student advocacy.

Olive McDunn is a junior in Wake County Public Schools and serves as Social Media Manager and Graphic Designer for Student Voice Alliance. At school, she is active in honors chorus and theater, and outside the classroom she has taken on extensive leadership roles through Scouting America. Olive has served as Senior Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Patrol Leader, and is a member of the Order of the Arrow, where she is currently Vice Chief of Communications. She also holds lodge-level positions as Registration Chair, Tipi (newsletter) Chair, and serves as a ceremonialist, welcoming and mentoring new members.

Gracie Moore is a senior in Pitt County Schools, and a Social Media Officer for Student Voice Alliance. She serves as Speaker of the Youth Legislative Assembly and as Student Body Vice President, where she manages her school’s Instagram and helps plan activities that boost student morale. Gracie is a Prosecution Attorney for Teen Court, a role she has held for six years, and has also served as a North Carolina Senate Page. She is a founding member of her school’s Volunteer Access Club, dedicated to expanding student access to community service, a member of the 2025 Pitt County Teen Leadership Institute, and an athlete on the Varsity Swim Team.

Mia Nishiguchi is a senior at Kalani High School and the Director of Hawaiʻi for Student Voice Alliance. In Hawaiʻi, she is the Chairperson of the Department of Transportation Youth Council, where she advocates for sustainable transportation. She interned with Representative Jeanne Kapela, drafting and passing House Resolution 81 to establish Climate Week in Hawaiʻi’s public schools. Mia also serves as a Youth Policy Leader for the Climate Future Forum, a member of the Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council, and a NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador. She represented Hawaiʻi as the 2025 Hiroshima Peace Public School Scholar and received the Brandeis University Book Award for civic leadership and academic excellence.

Britain Sapp is a senior at Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, Tennessee. She serves as the East Tennessee Middle and High School Representative for the Tennessee Association of Student Councils (TASC) and as her school’s Student Body President. Britain also holds leadership roles as FCA Media Leader, National Honor Society Class President, and Treasurer of both Interact and HOSA. She has represented student voice at the state and national levels through programs including SCOPE, NASBE’s NSMI, and ALA Girls State, and is actively involved in youth leadership through her school and local chamber of commerce.

Mailin Soyke is a junior in Guilford County Schools and serves as Director of the North Carolina Ambassador Program. She has a strong interest in legislative policy and public education, with a passion for improving schools through student input. Mailin is the Founder and President of her school’s Speech and Debate team, a representative on the Guilford County Service Learning Council, and has served as Student Council Treasurer and Constitution Committee Chair. She has also gained legislative experience as a North Carolina Senate Page.

Ann Mary Thomas in Wake County Public Schools, who serves as the Podcast manager for Student Voice Alliance. She is a passionate advocate for gifted education, dedicated to amplifying student voice and promoting equitable identification practices. She serves as a Student Advisor for Wake County Public Schools’ Advanced Learning Services Team and as a Senior Board Member of the National Gifted and Talented Student Advocacy Board (NGTSAB). Ann Mary will present at the 2026 North Carolina Association for Gifted and Talented (NCAGT) Conference and is the President of YAPA Kids, a global organization fostering academic curiosity among students in grades 1–8. Outside of her academic pursuits, she is a section leader in the NC Master Youth Chorale and a dance instructor.