For Kashyap Rajesh, a focus on “progress, equity, and inclusion” has been a driving force in his high school educational experience and his interests inside and outside of the classroom. Now a junior at Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Kashyap began his high school career interested in socially responsible technology, looking to explore how technology impacts humans. During his sophomore year, he was curious in understanding the correlation between substance abuse and teens' physical health. 

However, by the time Kashyap was preparing for Project Soapbox his junior year, he kept coming back to the ways that both of these issues were tied to mental health. 

“I began to see this almost interconnectedness between the various issues that I advocated for – it’s mental health and how it's impacting the human brain,” Kashyap explained. “Whether it be technology, the social media algorithms that perpetuate some sort of anxiety, or the use of substances that are physically impacting our brains, they're inherently tied to mental health.”

For Kashyap, Project Soapbox aligned perfectly with the mental health advocacy he was already pursuing in his community. As he was working on his speech, Kashyap had the opportunity to meet with his local representative about his concerns. Shortly after their meeting, a bill to establish a local 708 Mental Health Board – an organization which addresses local mental health issues – was introduced.

Next, he led a campaign for the bill’s passage, working alongside his peers to engage community members in the push for a local mental health board. 

“I led a group of 50 plus students to canvas 2,000 homes and speak to thousands of voters,” Kashyap recalled. “The experience highlighted the importance of collaboration and proved that anything is possible, especially with the involvement of youth.”

The passage of the referendum by a decisive 15% margin, propelled him forward in his changemaking journey.

In early December, Kashyap continued his advocacy for mental health at the Project Soapbox IL Mainstage event. And, in January of this year, on the 708 Mental Health Board he campaigned to establish.

Kashyap believes that effective civics education requires opportunities like these for young people to be leaders and make an impact outside of the classroom – a perspective that he credits his Mikva teacher Mr. Coneen for.

“Mr. Conneen truly believes action civics is a lifestyle - he ensures that civics isn't simply something we learn about and discuss within the 47 minute period, but something we can apply outside the classroom," Kashyap said. "He really fosters this community of civics enthusiasts...and that's evident in the changemakers he produces...he makes the content relevant to civic and community engagement."

Kashyap hopes all educators and adults embrace this approach to civics. It's a philosophy he believes is essential to the future of our democracy. 

“I keep coming back to this idea: We are the next generation of leaders and activists,” Kashyap said. “When we cultivate that interest, that passion and that changemaking attitude from a young age – we foster a lot more than civic engagement.”

“And so many issues transcend adults – they are also about youth,” Kashyap continued. “When our voices are heard and our perspectives are shared that allows for more open conversation...it also allows for us to have a say in how policymaking impacts us and collaborate on a multigenerational effort to tackle these issues.”