By: Richard L. Smith
Students at Great Oaks Legacy Charter School (GOLCS) are turning civic awareness into action through the school’s Student Advocacy Club, a student-led initiative that has grown into a powerful force for change in Newark. 
According to information released by charter school officials, the club, founded by GOLCS Manager of External Affairs Lamar Washington, provides students with a platform to lead discussions, advocate for their peers, and take meaningful action on local issues.
What started as a simple reading initiative has expanded into a movement of youth leadership and empowerment.
Students have engaged in voter registration drives, collaborated with elected officials, and organized a school-wide Wellness Day to promote student well-being.
More than 70% of the student body participated in a survey led by the club to identify and address key student concerns.
"This was a full-circle moment," Washington shared. "The club was built to help students find their voices, and now they’re paying it forward, empowering their peers to do the same."
GOLCS Executive Director Jared Taillefer praised the students for their leadership, emphasizing that opportunities like the Advocacy Club are essential in preparing students for life beyond the classroom.
"At Great Oaks Legacy, learning extends beyond textbooks—it’s about real-world impact.
These students are stepping up, not just for themselves, but for their entire community."
The club’s influence reaches far beyond school walls. Members have attended Newark City Council meetings, engaged with national leaders like Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Donald Payne Jr., and partnered with Rutgers University to address public safety issues.
Former members have gone on to become valedictorians, civic leaders, and advocates for educational funding.
One such student, Nathan Duguid, now a freshman at Rutgers-Newark, credits the club with giving him the confidence to advocate for change.
"I learned how the political landscape works and how to make my voice heard," he said.
His experience led him to testify before the New Jersey Senate Budget Committee on charter school funding, a defining moment in his journey as a leader. 
The GOLCS Advocacy Club continues to grow, proving that young people don’t have to wait to make a difference—they already are.
Through mentorship, civic engagement, and student-led initiatives, these students are shaping the future of their school and their city, one step at a time.