Friend –

The ACLU of Iowa is pleased to announce that Nyibol Chol, 18, is the winner of our Robert Mannheimer Youth Advocacy Award.

Nyibol is being honored for her advocacy work for Rise (Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy), a student-led group at Valley High School in West Des Moines. She helped raise $15,000 for a scholarship geared towards first-generation, immigrant, and refugee students.

"All students deserve to have opportunities after high school," she said. "I know people who moved schools to avoid their parents being deported. I know people who gave up after-school activities, like sports, to work and help their families. The political environment is taking away the chance for kids to be kids."

Nyibol's efforts are a wonderful example of how Iowans are working to honor the dreams, dignity, and rights of immigrants – even while too many in power undermine them.

Read more about Nyibol.

With appreciation,

ACLU of Iowa