Washington, D.C. (January 23, 2025)—The NEA Foundation has named Mikva Challenge as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Student Voices for Education Award for its exemplary leadership in amplifying student voices and empowering youth to drive positive change in public education.
A national leader in civic education and youth leadership development, Mikva Challenge is dedicated to ensuring young people are actively included in efforts to build a more just and equitable society. Through dynamic programs such as Project Soapbox, which encourages students to speak publicly on issues affecting their schools, peers, and communities, Mikva Challenge equips youth with the tools, confidence, and platforms for meaningful civic participation—ultimately enabling them to have a lasting, positively transformative impact in classrooms, schools, and communities.
“Mikva Challenge exemplifies the power of student leadership in driving educational equity and justice,” said Sara A. Sneed, President and CEO of The NEA Foundation. “By centering student voices, Mikva Challenge is transforming school communities and inspiring a new generation of change-makers committed to a healthy and thriving democracy.”
Established in 2023, the Student Voices for Education Award honors individuals, student groups, or organizations that elevate and prioritize student perspectives to provide leadership, build student-led movements addressing educational concerns, and advocate for student-centered policies and practices.
The award will be formally presented at The NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education, widely recognized as the Academy Awards of Education, at the Anthem Theater, on February 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C., where educators and education advocates from across the country will gather to celebrate this year’s honorees.
About The NEA Foundation
The NEA Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting justice, opportunity, equity, and excellence in public education. Founded by educators in 1969, The NEA Foundation ensures that all students have access to the high-quality learning experiences they need to become informed, empathetic, and engaged citizens—vital to a thriving democracy. For more information, visit www.neafoundation.org.
