Students Teaching Students

A new Growing Green Leaders series

Young leaders learn best from someone just a few steps ahead of them on the path.

How it started

Sophia D’Angelo was so impressed by the Rotary Reefs program at Randolph Union High School in Vermont, and by hearing the team’s sponsor, Deb Schaner, speak at the Environmental Xperience at EarthX in 2026, that she asked for the opportunity to design a program of her own.

Her idea: help the Randolph students build public speaking skills so they could speak at Rotary clubs, showcase their program and grow support from Rotary clubs and their community.

That was the inspiration for Students Teaching Students.

Why it works

Since then, we have discovered so many other opportunities. Our youngest members love being mentored by students within a few years of their own age, and older students grow as leaders by teaching what they have learned.

We have seen this work before. In our dental clinics, fourth year dental students mentor third year students, who mentor the students behind them, and so on down the line.

Meet Sophia D’Angelo

Founder & Lead Coach, Students Teaching Students

Co-Chair, Rotary Reefs Project · Rotary Club of Newport Beach

Sophia is a high-achieving high school junior with a passion for public speaking, sustainability and global leadership. She combines academic rigor with real-world leadership as a varsity tennis captain and an award-winning Model United Nations delegate.

Through the Rotary Club of Newport Beach and National Charity League, Sophia contributes to philanthropic initiatives and community impact efforts.

Now she is launching the Students Teaching Students series, sharing best practices for impactful speech writing and public speaking to help develop future green leaders around the globe.

We are so appreciative of Sophia’s continued interest in not only supporting Rotary programs, but creating her own.

Steve Bender
President
Rotary Club of Newport Beach