Meet the David Norr Youth Activist Award Winners
2025 David Norr Youth Activist Award
Celebrating Youth Activism
Americans United celebrates the youngest generation of activists for freedom without favor and equality without exception with the David Norr Youth Activist Award.
Named in honor of the late David Norr, a staunch advocate and supporter of Americans United and church-state separation for over 25 years, this award goes to an individual or group who goes above and beyond to advocate for the separation of church and state.
Announcing the 2026 Award Recipient: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas
Nominate a young leader for church-state separation – nominations are now being accepted!
Meet Students Engaged in Advancing Texas or SEAT
Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) is a youth-led organization leading a movement of young people fighting for education policy change in Texas, including religious freedom and church-state separation in public schools. The fourth pillar of their Student Bill of Rights, crafted with the input of hundreds of students from across Texas, is “freedom of expression in a pluralistic, multicultural democracy” including that “public schools must support students secularly and without enforcing religious custom.” The leaders of SEAT are not just speaking out as a voice at the table for youth in policymaking but are training and mobilizing young people from across the state to take action by speaking at school board meetings, testifying at the capitol, sharing their stories in the media, and more.
SEAT's Acceptance Speech
2026 David Norr Youth Activist Award Honorable Mention
We also are thrilled to recognize the youth activists below with an honorable mention for their notable accomplishments as activists for church-state separation and inclusive religious freedom in their communities.
Anvika Jain
Anvika is an advocate for religious freedom in Texas, serving as a leader in the Texas Youth Advocacy Program and on the Texas State Board of Education Youth Advisory Board. She has spoken out publicly, organized petitions, and trained her peers to advance the separation of church and state in public schools. Recently she has opposed efforts to mandate religious texts in Texas classrooms and challenged proposed state reading requirements for middle and high schoolers that include religious materials.
Anvika writes, “More than twenty years ago, my parents came to the United States under the sense that this country would serve as a sanctuary. Coming from a minority religion and escaping Hindu Nationalism, Lady Liberty served as a beacon of hope and the chance of education, opportunity, and a new future. However, as I grow today as a student in the public education system, I watch as the church-state separation my parents wished for, and I value, erodes. By allowing the separation of church and state to disappear, especially within education, we allow legislators to define the very future of identity and freedom for students across the country. I refuse to let myself, other students, and those seeking a future in the United States be denied an education rooted in equality and freedom.”
Kyria Santa
Kyria is the founder and president of Emory Secular Students at Emory University where she has educated her peers, hosted events, and advocated for institutional change to protect religious freedom for all. She has also been involved in advocacy efforts with Secular Student Alliance, Black Nonbelievers, and Freedom From Religious Foundation. As an Afro-Latine, queer person from the Black Christian South, she uses her voice and her leadership to create safe and welcoming environments for others.
Kyria writes, “The separation of religion and government is important to me because it is the legal promise of belonging. As a former believer, I’ve seen how the fusion of religion and legal power can exclude and harm people. It tells people like me – those who leave a faith, love differently, or simply think differently – that we are not full citizens. The principle of the separation of religion and government is the shield for my communities. It protects my friends and chosen family from being governed by doctrines they had no say in creating or following. It’s more than a shield at this point, it’s a foundation for a truly pluralistic society. It ensures that our public space is neutral – where we can all meet as equals, debating policies based on thought and reason, not theology. For me, this separation means that everyone has an equal right to belong and thrive.”
The Award
A monetary award of $1,000
- The winner will be announced and receive an award live on stage at SRF.*
- The winner(s) receive a paid trip to attend SRF in Washington, DC from April 5-7, 2025. Covered expenses are travel (flights, train, or mileage reimbursement for car travel), a hotel room for up to 4 nights, and registration for SRF. These expenses are covered for the individual winner and one additional person of their choosing**; or up to 2 members of a group.***
- The winner will also be announced on AU’s website and social media, via email, and in an issue of Church & State magazine.
- *If circumstances prevent the winner from attending SRF in-person, we can arrange to present the award virtually.
**If the winner is under 18 years old, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
***If a group of more than two people is selected, additional travel grants will be considered pending the availability of funding.
2025 Award Recipient
Tatiana Chance
Tatiana Chance is a dedicated Black youth activist, nonprofit leader, and advocate for reproductive justice with deep roots in her community. Tatiana has a passion for working to restore abortion access from a religiously motivated ban in her state. Tatiana holds degrees in Elementary Education and Theatre from Augustana University, blending her passion for education, storytelling, and advocacy. With her deep knowledge, skills, and strong local relationships, she continues to be a vital resource for abortion advocates, interfaith leaders, and youth activists working toward reproductive justice. She has extensive experience in abortion access work in South Dakota and serves on the board of directors for the Justice Empowerment Network, the state’s primary abortion fund.
Tatiana co-leads RJ By You, a microgrant program designed to uplift emerging reproductive justice leaders in South Dakota and Missouri. In high school, she founded Help4Huhas, a menstrual equity 501(c)3 supporting financially disadvantaged people in South Dakota. She now co-leads the Pasque Project, a community-based initiative focused on understanding the needs and preferences of South Dakota populations facing structural barriers due to religiously motivated abortion bans, including youth—especially Native youth—immigrants, and rural communities. Read Tatiana’s blog here.
Tatiana's Acceptance Speech
2025 David Norr Youth Activist Award Honorable Mention
We also are thrilled to recognize Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) with an honorable mention for their notable accomplishments as activists for church-state separation and inclusive religious freedom in their community.
Founded in 2022, SEAT is a movement of young people developing transferable skills and demonstrating youth visibility in policymaking. “Through active engagement in advocacy and education, we are building a social movement to drive civic transformation, better communities, and dismantle oppressive power structures.” Their work empowers youth to take leadership in creating positive societal change.
“Church-state separation is a fundamental principle for ensuring that all individuals, regardless of religious affiliation, can participate equally in public life. For SEAT, maintaining this separation is vital to safeguarding the rights of marginalized communities and preventing religious influence from dictating public policies that affect all Texans. It ensures a fair and just society where our diverse voices and beliefs are respected.”
The Award
A monetary award of $1,000
- The winner will be announced and receive an award live on stage at SRF.*
- The winner(s) receive a paid trip to attend SRF in Washington, DC from April 5-7, 2025. Covered expenses are travel (flights, train, or mileage reimbursement for car travel), a hotel room for up to 4 nights, and registration for SRF. These expenses are covered for the individual winner and one additional person of their choosing**; or up to 2 members of a group.***
- The winner will also be announced on AU’s website and social media, via email, and in an issue of Church & State magazine.
- *If circumstances prevent the winner from attending SRF in-person, we can arrange to present the award virtually.
**If the winner is under 18 years old, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
***If a group of more than two people is selected, additional travel grants will be considered pending the availability of funding.
2024 Award Recipient
Sanchi Rohira
Sanchi was a senior at Georgetown University, where she studied Culture and Politics and South Asian studies, organized students around issues of racial justice & LGBTQ+ rights, and worked in Dharmic ministry. She first became an organizer in 2018 in the wake of the Parkland, FL school shooting and went on to work on political campaigns of progressive women of color making a bid for Congress! Sanchi finds joy in building community around identifying needs, and injustices, and mobilizing to fill them.
Click here to read more about Sanchi Rohira and the David Norr Youth Activist Award.
2024 Honorable Mentions
Americans United also recognizes the four youth activists below with an honorable mention for their notable accomplishments as leaders and activists for church-state separation and inclusive religious freedom in their communities.
Mikah Dyer
Mikah Dyer was a passionate advocate for education and student empowerment, hailing from the Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) in Arizona. As a dedicated PUSD student, Mikah was committed to enhancing the local education system and championing the rights of students and teachers alike. He was serving as a field organizer in LD2 for two former educators running for the Arizona State Legislature. Mikah also held prominent positions including Chair of the Peoria Youth Advisory Board, Peoria Unified School District Governing Board Regional Coordinator, Director of Youth Engagement, and President and Founder of the High School Democrats of Ironwood. With a profound dedication to protecting public education in Arizona, Mikah aspired to become a public school educator, public servant, and advocate in the state.
“Church-state separation holds paramount importance to me due to its fundamental role in safeguarding the integrity of public education. As an advocate for equitable educational opportunities, I recognize that maintaining a clear distinction between religious institutions and public education ensures that all students have access to a learning environment free from religious bias or discrimination. Upholding this separation is essential to fostering inclusivity and respect for diverse beliefs within the educational sphere, thereby empowering students to thrive regardless of their religious affiliations.”
Luke Fisher
Luke was a high school senior at Kent Denver School in Colorado and will be attending Stanford University in the fall. He wrote the articles “Defending the Wall of Separation: The Power of Student Advocacy” and “Upholding Constitutional Integrity: The Imperative of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.” He also co-authored “‘Sticks and Stones’ Can Be Potent Weapons as Ryan Walters’ Agenda Fuels Rhetoric, Hate Speech” with Secular Student Alliance (SSA) President Kevin Bolling. Luke founded the SSA Denver, Colo., high school chapter. As a master open water diver, Luke was passionate about protecting the marine environment and has conducted extensive microplastic mitigation research. Luke was also a competitive golfer and lacrosse player.
“The separation of church and state ensures that our government remains neutral, allowing individuals to practice their beliefs or non-beliefs without interference. Church-state separation is a fundamental, Constitutional safeguard that protects marginalized, secular, and non-Christian students who are most affected by the rise of Christian nationalism. As a sibling of a transgender student, I am committed to fight against the hatred, intolerance, and discrimination by elected officials that erodes the fundamental freedoms on which our democracy is founded.”
Maddy Niziolek
Maddy was a second-year Master of Public Administration student at George Washington University (GW) concentrating on health and gender policy. Maddy was one of the co-presidents of GW RAGE, the GW reproductive justice organization; president of Foggy Bottom Plan B, a community peer-to-peer emergency contraception distribution organization; a member of the Abortion Out Loud council and a regional co-lead for the Youth Abortion Support Collective with Advocates for Youth; and an abortion doula with DC Doulas for Choice. She was also the Development and Executive Associate at Catholics for Choice.
“As an advocate for abortion access I have seen firsthand what happens when church and state separation is eroded, particularly the dire consequences that it has for young people seeking abortion and other reproductive healthcare. It is no secret that the anti-choice movement is religious. As a Catholic, I refuse to see my faith weaponized to oppose abortion any longer.”
Chloe Serrano
Chloe Serrano was in her second year, majoring in Ethnic Studies, emphasizing Asian American studies at Fullerton College. Chloe aspires to pursue a Ph.D. to become a professor of Ethnic Studies and potentially a JD to become a lawyer specializing in domestic abuse or civil rights. As a young woman of color and organizer, Chloe offered an intersectional and decolonial outlook on the world. She strongly believed in mobilizing students of color through representation in a curriculum that empowers them inside and outside the classroom.
“Church-state separation is significant in ensuring bodily autonomy and the preservation of democracy. By separating church and state, equality elevates the protection of individual rights.”
Background
The Youth Activist Award is named in honor of the late David Norr, who staunchly backed the principle of church-state separation and generously supported Americans United for more than 25 years.
Other past award recipients include Ramya Sinha, who stirred up some good trouble at her school, and AU client Irish 4 Reproductive Health, a student-led group that challenged the University of Notre Dame’s denial of birth control coverage.
"AU knows it’s crucial for our movement to train, equip, and learn from the next generation of leaders. But it’s also important that we honor their courage."
