Samantha has created and facilitated several sustaining student leadership initiatives related to bettering DSA’s student culture. Specifically, even before the pandemic began Samantha worked with her peers in Sources of Strength to create and implement a HS-MS Mentorship Campaign. Samantha’s team of HS mentors have conducted multiple presentations with 6th and 7th grade classes over the past year and a half on topics ranging from “how to be a positive friend,” to “using planners and getting organized,” to “anti-vaping” and beyond! If this isn’t impressive in-and-of itself, Samantha has also supported the creation and sustaining of the Music Equity Initiative organization at DSA. The Music Equity Initiative aims to bring together students to acknowledge, include, and advocate for underrepresented musicians. Specifically students work to advance equity for BIPOC, female, LGBTQ+, and musicians with disabilities. While there are countless others who have allied with Samantha in this work, she is the stalwart leader who has dedicated hours and tremendous energy on these outstanding programs.
