Meet the Team
Students. Fighters. Doers.
Our tireless team is dedicated to advancing our mission at Students Protecting Education, where we tirelessly strive to empower fellow students in their quest for a diverse and equitable education. Amidst the burdens of academic workloads, we invest countless hours to champion students' rights. Through community engagement and advocacy, we empower students to amplify their voices, effecting positive change not only within our local communities but also beyond.
Want to join the team?
Started: Nov 2022
Luke Lippitt
Co-Founder & Executive Director
he/him
Luke Lippitt is a student at Orchard Park High School in Buffalo, NY. He is currently serving as the President of the school and the Parliamentarian of student government. Luke passionately serves as a change maker in the world of student empowerment and enfranchisement and fights tirelessly every day to ensure every student has the opportunity to use their voices and to access the resources they need to be successful in our ever-changing society and educational landscape. He is a leader, also serving as a board member and representing his fellow peers and schools of District 12 for the New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities.
Started: Nov 2022
Jillian Yarnes
Co-Founder & Director of Operations
she/her
Jillian Yarnes is a fierce advocate for equity and the equal access of education for all. She has been fighting for the rights of her peers to learn freely and making a change within her community for years. As both a dedicated community member and a student herself, Jillian embodies the spirit of empowerment. She understands the transformative power of education and believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive no matter what. Through her advocacy work, she seeks to inspire her fellow students to harness their voices and advocate for the issues that matter most to them.
Started: Feb 2024
Drew Sora
Director of Outreach & Campaign Coordinator
he/him
Drew Sora is a junior in high school and he lives in Port Jefferson, New York. Working with local Suffolk County Legislators, New York State Assembly members, and the Lieutenant Governor of New York, Drew has always worked to make changes and advocate for youth across Suffolk County. He has also worked with local Brookhaven Town Council members and Port Jefferson Village trustees to create the Port Jefferson Youth Council to ensure student voices are always heard, acknowledged, and valued. Priding himself on helping to advocate and amplify youth voices around him, ultimately prompted Drew to get involved with Students Protecting Education to continue working on behalf of his peers on a much larger scale.
Started: April 2024
Clara Weigel
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
she/her
Clara Weigel is a student at Orchard Park High School in Buffalo, NY. She is an active volleyball player and very involved in her community! She frequently volunteers with the Rural Outreach Center in East Aurora, NY and has honors achievements for National Honors Society, Spanish National Honors Society and Orchard Park High School Honor Roll. After moving from Washington State to New York– coming from a diverse background and being past member of her old high school’s Black Student Council– Clara has become a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, as she strives to influence the success of people of color.
Started: March 2024
Jack Hoffman
Senior Advisor on Legal and Strategic Affairs
he/him
Jack Hoffman is a student at Poland Central School in Poland, NY. Within his school community, Jack serves in leadership roles of his student council, his class, and multiple other clubs. Outside of his local environment, Jack is the president of NYS CLSA, a statewide leadership organization, representing his home district, District 8, and the whole state of New York with pride. Through it all, Jack is committed to creating an inclusive and safe educational space in every corner of the country, and strongly believes that students deserve the right to have a say in their own education.
Started: Jan 2024
Myles Lanier
Campaign Coordinator & Virginia Ambassador
he/him
Myles Lanier is a high school senior from Northern Virginia. He has always been passionate about serving his community through volunteering, education, and legislative advocacy. Myles has served in several positions advocating for his community. He currently serves as the Diversity Director of the High School Democrats of America (HSDA) as well as the Co-political Director of the Virginia Young Democrats Teen Caucus (VAYD Teens). He previously served on the HSDA Ethics Committee and the HSDA Campaigns Committee for the 2022 election cycle. Myles is also a student representative of his district's school board, and he serves in several leadership positions within his school.
Started: Dec 2023
Sophia Starosielec
Social Media Coordinator
she/her
Sophia is a senior at Orchard Park High School and demonstrates exemplary leadership and involvement in various extracurricular activities, including her participation in SPE, student government, and the American Cancer Society. Her management of several social media accounts representing the online presence of multiple organizations showcases her organizational skills and passion for progress through the use of social media.
Started: March 2024
Victoria Ogilvie
Graphic Designer
she/her
Victoria is a dedicated student at Lindenhurst High School, actively engaged in both her school and community. She serves on the boards of the Student Council, Class Council, and Lindy Cares, demonstrating her dedication to making a positive impact through community service and advocacy. Victoria is passionate about using art to influence society and opposes censorship of artwork and literature in classrooms, believing in the importance of freedom of expression and education. Her role as a representative for District 1 on the student board for NYSCLSA highlights her leadership skills and her eagerness to collaborate with peers to effect change on a broader scale.
Started: March 2024
Jeremy Loblaw
Fundraising Coordinator
he/him
Jeremy Loblaw is currently a student at Canandaigua Academy in Canandaigua, NY. Within his school community, Jeremy helps lead clubs such as his class student government, his schoolwide student government, his school’s DECA chapter, and other various organizations. Outside of his local environment, Jeremy is the vice president of NYS CLSA, a statewide leadership organization that hosts various conferences to help teach New York’s emerging leaders leadership skills. Jeremy is also involved with various music and athletic extracurriculars, recently touring Italy with his orchestra. Jeremy takes pride in creating an inclusive educational space in every corner of the country, and he actively works to support the student voice.
Started: November 2023
Sydney Dobmeier
Graphic Design Coordinator
she/her
Sydney is a student at Orchard Park High School in Buffalo, NY. She has a passion for serving and strengthening her community through various extracurricular and volunteering activities. As a frequent volunteer with the Vive Shelter and fundraiser for the Ride for Roswell, she takes active involvement in her local community through service and advocacy. With her passion for art, Sydney teaches younger children how to create works of art and displays her own artwork in local shows. She strongly believes in the importance of social activism and the power that art and digital media can have in this process.
Started: March 2024
Victor Hinojosa
Campaign Coordinator
he/him
Victor Hinojosa is a High School Junior at Waukegan High School in Waukegan, IL. He serves as Student Board Member for the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Board of Education and as the Midwest Regional Director for the High School Democrats of America (HSDA). He serves in the capacity of Campaign Coordinator for Students Protecting Education. He has gained a passion for education and the power young people have when they're given a real seat in the halls of power. He is excited to join the team and start the work before us to unite the youth voice in our common journey to reinvent Education and create a society truly built on the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.