Oakton Student Drafts Bill Targeting Social Isolation, Bullying

OAKTON, VA — A high school student from Oakton was one of the 15 students from around the DMV who participated in the Students Opposing Slavery International Summit from June 23-28.

The weeklong-summit took place at President Lincoln's Cottage in Washington, D.C., where the former president lived while developing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862.

Each of the 15 students drafted bills designed to promote the fight for freedom. The bills were presented on the final day of the summit.

Vivian Yu of Oakton wrote a bill that would target a different aspect of human trafficking. The 18-year-old's "Title IX Training and Education Act" addresses the problem of social isolation among students facing bullying or harassment.

Yi was inspired by her own experience dealing with school administration following an incident of harassment. Her bill would require the Department of Education to facilitate student advocacy by educating students on their Title IX rights. It would also require training for administrators on how to advocate for their students when these rights are violated. She plans to go to the Capitol to lobby with other students who have gone through the same experience. She will also approach different school boards to lobby for the bill.

"These were some of the brightest young change-makers that we have hosted at President Lincoln’s Cottage in the 11 years that we have been convening the Students Opposing Slavery Summit,” said Callie Hawkins, CEO and executive director of President Lincoln's Cottage. “We look forward to seeing them enact their projects and apply the information they learned at the Summit as they move forward with their advocacy work.”

Students Opposing Slavery is a non-profit initiative aimed at educating young people about human trafficking and to empower them to continue President Lincoln's fight for freedom.