Meet the 2026-27 Student Advisory Team

October 22, 2026

By: SRL Staff

PBS News Student Reporting Labs (SRL) has selected 25 students to join this year’s Student Advisory Team. These students from all corners of the U.S. will work together to help shape the SRL team’s editorial focus in the year to come, weighing in on the topics that matter most to them.

“I am really excited to work with this year’s team,” said SRL editorial director Marie Cusick. “The students provide really valuable advice about the kinds of content that resonates with young people and how news organizations like ours can better serve them.”

The Student Advisory team convenes virtually from October through March. They’ll offer their insights on current events, feedback on SRL’s content projects and prompts, and connect with and learn from one another. Their work is pivotal in supporting SRL to fulfill its mission of amplifying student voices.

 

MEET THE TEAM: 

	Aaron Carain Windward School | Los Angeles, California Aaron Crain is a junior at Windward School in Los Angeles, California. Aaron is deeply interested in current events and how what is happening today is impacted by the past. He explores these passions by avidly reading the news, competing in Public Forum debate and participating in California YMCA Model Legislature and Court Program. Outside of school, Aaron likes to hike, foster dogs, play soccer, and watch football. Aaron is excited to be part of SRL’s Student Advisory Team. As a member, he hopes to shine a light on unseen issues and learn about the decisions made by media outlets.
	Abigail Kim Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro | Leonia, New Jersey Abigail (Abby) Kim is a high school junior, student journalist, and tea enthusiast. She’s the co-editor-in-chief of her school’s newspaper, Knights News, and was a student producer for On Our Minds Season 6. Abby loves reporting on community events and youth issues, among other topics, in her journalism. In school, her favorite subjects are history, English, and economics. Outside of school, she loves going to cafes and walking in parks. She’s so excited to work with SRL and her fellow Student Advisory Team members!
	Advaith Muthuswamy Alliance Academy for Innovation | Suwanee, Georgia Advaith Muthuswamy is a student at Alliance Academy for Innovation with a passion for international relations, public policy, and storytelling. This summer, he had the opportunity to speak at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea at its American House of Diplomacy, sharing his perspective with an audience interested in U.S.-Korea relations. He enjoys learning about different perspectives and finding ways for young people to engage with issues that shape their communities and the world. Outside of school, Advaith enjoys photography, meeting new people, and trying new food!
	Alden Walcott South Lakes High School | Reston, Virginia Alden Walcott is a senior at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia who isreturning to the SRL Student Advisory Team. Last year, produced an SRL story about youth indigenous identity. Her work was published with Virginia Public Media and recognized with the Princeton Prize in Race Relations. Alden leads an international team with the World Teenage Reporting Alliance teaching students about journalism, and won the FBLA state championship in broadcast journalism. She is a four-time DC-area Cappie Award winner for her reviews of high school theater, a 2026 Jimmy Awards Student Reporter finalist, and the Virginia Thespian Organization’s statewide Co-Chair.
	Anvi Vaish Paul Laurence Dunbar High School | Lexington, Kentucky Anvi Vaish is a senior in the Math, Science, and Technology Center (MSTC) program at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kentucky. She loves journalism, education policy, and disability advocacy, and spends her time working with the Kentucky Student Voice Team and editing her school newspaper.
	Ashley Onofre Edward R. Murrow High School | Brooklyn, New York Ashley Onofre is a student from Brooklyn, New York. Growing up in a diverse community has reinforced her interest in understanding many perspectives. She is a member of her school’s Moot Court and Mock Trial club, where she’s strengthened her advocacy skills. Outside of school, she volunteers with TurnUp where she researches weekly civic issues, and also serves as an advocate for the National Coalition Against Censorship. For fun, she plays chess and soccer. As a member of the SRL Student Advisory Team, she aims to shine a spotlight towards many voices and collaborate with peers who share a passion for change!
	Citaly Flores Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering | Passaic, New Jersey Citlaly Flores is a current sophomore at Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering. She is a first generation Mexican-American based in northern New Jersey. Beyond pursuing a pathway into biomedical science, she is a folkloric dancer, passionate about advocacy in service to her community, and loves to craft.
	Dakota Weaver Hickory Ridge High School | Harrisburg, North Carolina Dakota Weaver is a 16-year-old junior at Hickory Ridge High School in Harrisburg, North Carolina. She is a member of the student council, an emerging leader with Blumenthal Arts, and actively involved in community theater. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, creating art, and filmmaking. After high school, Dakota plans to attend college to study political science and film. This is her first project with PBS, and she is thrilled to see where this journey leads.
	Divya Thamman Edina High School | Minneapolis, Minnesota Divya Thamman is a junior from Minneapolis, Minnesota and a producer for her school’s broadcast journalism program. She cares about bringing attention to untold stories, social justice issues, community, and the potential for youth to have a positive impact. In her free time, she works as an intern with Planting People Growing Justice, provides youth perspective for a national magazine, and creates documentaries. She loves chai, miso soup, and celebrating her city’s giant pencil festival. Divya attended SRL’s 2026 Summer Academy and looks forward to continuing to connect with other student storytellers.
	Emanuel Palax Ocampo Central High School | Carrollton, Georgia Emanuel Palax Ocampo is a high school junior from Carrollton, Georgia. He is originally from Brooklyn and is currently serving on the Student Advisory Team.
	Emma Lai Iowa City West Senior High School | Iowa City, Iowa Emma Lai is a junior at Iowa City West High School and is the Multimedia and Feature Editor for her school’s online publication. She first joined SRL in Washington D.C. for the PBS Summer Academy in 2026 and is excited to help on the Student Advisory Team! Outside of journalism, Emma is the vice president of West Student Government and is a member of the West High girls varsity tennis team and the varsity show choir group Good Time Company. In her free time, she enjoys singing, painting and journaling.
	Jada Cochran Carvers Bay Early College and Career High School | Hemingway, South Carolina Jada Cochran is a student at Carvers Bay Early College and Career High School who is passionate about leadership, creativity, and making a difference in her school community. During the 2026–2027 school year, Jada joined the Yearbook Production team, where she enjoys capturing and preserving memorable moments from her school. As the oldest daughter of six children, Jada has learned responsibility, patience, and the importance of being a positive role model. She also serves as the treasurer of the Interact Club, where she helps support community service activities. Jada is excited to join the PBS News team and share meaningful stories.
	Jamal Rice Oakland Military Institute | Oakland, California Jamal is a senior at Oakland Military institute. Throughout his years at school, he has found great interest in events and news going on around him, so he is extremely grateful to join the Student Advisory Team, share his insights, and gain ideas from others.

	Julian Sandberg Washington-Liberty High School | Arlington, Virginia Julian Sandberg is a high school junior from Arlington, Virginia. He is the Online Editor of his school’s newspaper, Crossed Sabres. He joined the Student Advisory Team to help guide the editorial direction of Student Reporting Labs and further his experience in journalism. Outside of journalism, he enjoys reading, producing music, and playing sports.
	Julie Ye Saratoga High School | Saratoga, California Julie Ye is a sophomore at Saratoga High School and is passionate about the intersection of STEM, the humanities, and journalism. She is currently a journalism intern at Borderless, where she highlights the stories and experiences of international students. She also serves as National Accessibility Director for High School Democrats of America and Public Relations Head for Innoverge. Through journalism, Julie hopes to amplify underrepresented voices and bring greater attention to immigrant stories and experiences around the world. Outside of school, she enjoys writing poetry and reading.
	Karthik Nanduri Tesla STEM High School | Sammamish, Washington Karthik Nanduri is a junior at Nikola Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, Washington, where he cofounded the Neuroscience Club, serves as the Activities Coordinator for Student Board (ASB) and is a Link Crew Leader (mentorship for Tesla STEM’s freshman). He also plays for his Varsity Tennis team and teaches tennis. Karthik is also the founder/inventor of Touch to See, a reconfigurable Braille learning kit consisting of togglable-braille bricks and adaptive glasses that narrate surroundings in real time, making early literacy more accessible for the visually impaired and low-vision children. Karthik is also a Junior Health Scholar at Tacoma General Hospital.. Last year, he won first place in the Behavioral Sciences division at the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair. His research focused on designing a longitudinal research study investigating correlations between sleep chronotypes and cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, he was named as a Moonshot Awards finalist.
	Kaylee Oliver Bradley Central High School | Cleveland, Tennessee Kaylee Oliver is a senior at Bradley Central High School, as well as a second-year student at Cleveland State Community College. She has a passion for how medicine and media intertwine, using storytelling and digital media to make science and healthcare topics accessible. Serving in student leadership roles across multiple campus organizations, Kaylee leverages digital media to amplify youth voices and community initiatives. Beyond journalism, she is an aspiring healthcare professional, a dedicated volunteer with over 700 clinical service hours, and a student researcher through the Stanford iGEM Bioengineering program.
	Keerthi Eraniyan California High School | San Ramon, California Keerthi Eraniyan is a high school student journalist from San Ramon, California. She is passionate about using communication and storytelling to shed light on inequalities. Keerthi is editor in chief of her school’s award-winning newspaper, The Californian, and is a Senior Correspondent for Contra Costa County Youth Journalism. Her reporting has explored education, immigration, community health, and the experiences of groups often overlooked by mainstream media. She first started working with SRL in 2024, producing episodes for On Our Minds Season 4 and Season 6.
	Kendall Liu The Village School | Houston, Texas Kendall Liu is a sophomore attending the Village School in Houston, Texas. She is on the school speech and debate team and the varsity swim team. She’s also an advocate for environmental justice through her work in the environmental club at school. In her spare time, she plays the guitar and enjoys composing original guitar pieces as well as baking viral cookie recipes.  She is very excited to join the SRL Student Advisory Team.
	Marleigh Armstrong Tupelo High School | Guntown, Mississippi Marleigh Armstrong is a junior at Tupelo high school in Tupelo, Mississippi. She has a passion for journalism, storytelling, and sports broadcasting. She is a member of WTHS, Tupelo high school’s broadcasting program for two years and currently serves on the program’s executive board. Her dedication has earned her recognition for her work in broadcasting such as a finalist for best sports reporter for the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association and Rookie of the Year. She is a member of Quill and Scroll, an international honor society for student journalists. Marleigh has developed valuable experiences in interviewing, reporting, and sharing stories.
	Mustafa Eymen Kelebek Triangle Math and Science Academy High School | Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina Mustafa Eymen Kelebek is a sophomore at Triangle Math and Science Academy in Apex, North Carolina. He serves as president of his school’s Film and Broadcasting Club and is involved with the Student Television Network’s Student Leadership Council. He is passionate about filmmaking, photography, and using visual storytelling to share different perspectives. Outside of media, Mustafa enjoys exploring technology and taking on new challenges. He is excited to collaborate with young storytellers from across the country, strengthen his skills, and bring his perspective to the SRL Student Advisory Team.
	Olivia (Olive) Levine Terre Haute South Vigo High School | Terre Haute, Indiana Olive Levine is a senior at Terre Haute South High School in Terre Haute, Indiana. She has always loved the worlds that books transport her to. She decided to pursue this passion for writing and storytelling by founding her school newspaper, The Southside Special. Additionally, Olive participates in Key Club as the state Bulletin Editor, student advocacy groups, and tennis. Olive loves all things literature, music, and movies. Through the Student Advisory Board, Olive aims to shine a light on neglected topics in media, the value of the humanities, and provide meaningful support to writers at SRL!
	Sanai Brown-Jones Mastery Lenfest Charter School | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sanai Brown-Jones joined the SRL’s Student Advisory Team in 2026. An alumna of WHYY, she is a passionate creative who strives to amplify underrepresented communities through her talent for film and journalism.
	Tobias Ginsberg Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School | Portland, Oregon Tobias Ginsberg is a senior at Ida B. Wells High School, and trying to live up to his school’s namesake as the Co-Editor-in-Chief at The Headlight. He also serves as the multimedia editor for The Headlight’s print edition and shorts, along with being a producer for the school’s award-winning broadcast journalism program, Guardian News Network. He also has a healthy passion for photography and film, taking photos in streets of Portland and at surf competitions on the weekend. Outside of these passions he enjoys snowboarding, climbing and surfing, and the wilderness.
	Valerie Sanchez Daniel Pearl Magnet High School | Arleta, California Valerie Sanchez is a senior at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Lake Balboa, California. She spends most of her time as the Managing Editor for her school’s journalism publication, The Pearl Post, as well as a producer on the school’s broadcasting program, Pearl TV. Valerie enjoys going out with friends and family, watching a lot of movies and participating in political marches. She is very excited to be joining the advisory team and cannot wait to work with the SRL team!