2024 High School Leaders Program Cohort
Congratulations and welcome to the 2024 cohort of the High School Leaders Program! The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is excited to announce the names of the 34 Virginia high school students selected as the program’s newest members:
Blake Aguilar, Orange County High School, Orange
Jori Bennett, Courtland High School, Fredericksburg
Paul Bennett Northam, Hampton Roads Academy, Carollton
Max D'Aniello, Miller School, Crozet
Henry Dozier, St. Anne's-Belfield School, North Garden
Aviva Fierst, Fredericksburg Academy, Fredericksburg
Gavin Fore, Gonzaga College High School, Alexandria
Mia Gamble, Osbourn Park High School, Manassas
Caroline Grist, Western Albemarle High School, Charlottesville
Hartley Hayden, West Potomac High School
Theo Hirsch, The Steward School, Manakin Sabot
Lauren Hoehl, Hanover High School, Ashland
Nick Jiang, Midlothian High School, Midlothian
Kayleigh Johnson, Caroll County High School, Hillsville
Margo Jones, Stonebridge School, Suffolk
Mira Masri, Charlottesville High School, Charlottesville
Maddie Mickey, Alexandria City High School, Alexandria
Anusha Rathi, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Glen Allen
Piper Richardson, Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach
Josiah Riverson, Woodberry Forest School, Annandale
Ava Sophia Robinson, Graham High School, Bluefield
Gio Sanchez-Garcia, Harrisonburg High School, Harrisonburg
Gretchen Schmitt, James Madison High School, Vienna
Sid Schweigart, Washington Liberty High School, Arlington
Noah Sedehi, Alexandria City High School, Alexandria
Nimera Shanil, McLean High School, Falls Church
Dima Shevel, Waynesboro High School, Waynesboro
Zaki Siddiqui, Midlothian High School, Midlothian
Aiyana Thornton, Harrisonburg High School, Harrisonburg
Kaden Thrasher, Fredericksburg Academy
Lilly Voorhees, Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria
Macy Waid, Harrisonburg High School, Harrisonburg
Eastan Weber, Open High School, Richmond
Lena Wilson, Alexandria High School, Alexandria
Sorensen’s 2024 HSLP class represents a strong and diverse group of students from high schools across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Cohort members will focus on the structure and current state of Virginia politics and governing, learn how sustainable public policy is developed, and develop both advocacy and consensus-building skills.
“HSLP is a key program in Sorensen’s mission of promoting trust, civil discourse, respect, and ethics as components of effective civic leadership,” said Larry Roberts, the Director of the Sorensen Institute. “We believe that Sorensen-trained students can make a positive difference in their communities and should be encouraged to do so.”
“We look forward to students connecting with peers who are also interested in working together to improve the quality of our civic engagement.”
Many of the nearly 2,500 alumni of Sorensen’s programs for students and adults play key roles in the civic life of communities across Virginia. They include a Governor, Members of Congress, as well as many General Assembly members, Virginia cabinet members, and local elected officials.
The 2023 program is supported by a generous grant from the Richard S. Reynolds Foundation. Established in Richmond in 1955, the Reynolds Foundation provides assistance to community causes such as science, education, healthcare, the environment and the arts.