School: Lee County High School
Hometown: Sanford, NC
Roots: Peru & Puerto Rico
A third-generation immigrant with proud roots in Peru and Puerto Rico, Olivia Rojas moved to Sanford when she was six months old. At Lee County High School, she plays varsity volleyball and is a member of the career academy for business and finance, student government, DECA, SkillsUSA, and Leo’s Club. Passionate about gun control and immigration issues, Olivia created a nonpartisan movement Never Again at her high school for students to share their opinions on gun control. A member of the New Voices Movement, she also works with other students to meet with State and National Congress members. She was also a delegate for the NCREA Youth Tour, traveling to Washington, D.C. to speak to state legislators about immigration issues. Olivia believes it is our duty as citizens to make the country safer for all people. She aspires to help elevate people’s voices and stories, and plans to study journalism or public relations in college.