Youth Ambassadors 2025 - Student Application

Program Description

One Institute mentors a cohort of high school students from across Los Angeles County to become ambassadors for LGBTQ+ history in their schools and communities. Youth Ambassadors begin meeting in September 2025 for approximately two Saturdays per month through January 2026 (see "program schedule" below). Most regular meetings take place in-person at One Gallery, West Hollywood (626 N. Robertson Blvd). Other meeting locations include ONE Archives at the USC Libraries (909 W Adams Blvd), Los Angeles LGBT Center (1125 N McCadden Pl), and LACMA (5905 Wilshire Blvd). Snacks and lunch are provided at all sessions.

As a Youth Ambassador for Queer History, you will participate in LGBTQ+ history workshops and field trips in addition to research in the collections of ONE Archives at the USC Libraries. The program guides you to develop a creative archival research project, to be exhibited at One Gallery, West Hollywood, on January 31, 2026, for local leaders, community members, family, and friends. Read about our 2024 youth exhibition here.

Through this experience, you will gain academic research experience, project management skills, community networking, and other tools to increase visibility of LGBTQ+ history in your school and community.

All graduating seniors who complete the program will receive a $1,000 scholarship from our partners at the Uptown Gay & Lesbian Alliance (UGLA). First-year students, sophomores, and juniors will receive a $500 stipend upon completing the program, courtesy of UGLA and One Institute. Rideshare stipends may be provided for students with transportation challenges.

If accepted, students must have a program permission form completed by a parent or legal guardian to participate.

The program is led by Trevor Ladner, Director of Education Programs at One Institute, a licensed California social studies teacher.

Application Information

Please note that you are able to save your progress using the "Save Draft" button at the bottom of this form. You will receive a shareable link to your email that you can save to access your draft, as well as an email from Jotform with a link to continue your progress. These are the only ways to access a draft in progress. You may also make a copy of this planner to draft your responses before completing this form.

The deadline for student applications and teacher recommendations is 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 7. Applicants will be notified of decisions via email by Monday, September 15. Our first session will take place at One Gallery on Saturday, September 27, from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Please direct all questions to Trevor Ladner, Director of Education Programs, at tladner@oneinstitute.org.

Student's Name*

First NameLast Name

Student's Pronouns*

Student's Email*

example: hi@hapevillemakerspace.com

Student's Cell Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

School Name*

Grade Level*

9th Grade10th Grade11th Grade12th Grade

Is there anything you would like to share about your identity (gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, etc.)?

Review the program schedule before answering the following questions.

Are you able to attend all required, in-person sessions (every other Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM)?*

YesNoOther

Are you able to attend at least two office hours (every other Wednesday, 4:30 to 5:30 PM on Zoom) to check in about your project?*

YesNoOther

Are you able to find or provide your own transportation to in-person sessions?*

YesNoOther

If you answered no to the previous question, which of the following options would make it possible for you to participate? Select all that apply.

Metro TAP card for public transportationRideshare stipend for Uber, Lyft, etc.Carpooling with other studentsOther

Conducting Online Research*

Reading Academic Texts*

Analyzing Historical Documents*

Writing Essays*

Presenting Projects*

Showing Leadership in my School or Community*

Collaborating with Peers*

How will your academic and leadership skills help you succeed in this program?*

0/100

How do you hope to grow your academic and leadership skills in this program?*

0/100

Anything else you would like to share about your skills?

Why are you interested in this program?*

250 Words Maximum0/250

Describe your relationship to the LGBTQ+ community (your identity, school/community projects, activism, allyship, etc.). *

250 Words Maximum0/250

Describe any special interests or successes you have had in your history courses.*

250 Words Maximum0/250

James Baldwin wrote, "We carry [history] within us... history is literally present in all that we do." What does this mean to you? *

250 Words Maximum0/250

You must have a teacher or mentor of your choice to complete this recommendation form for your application to be considered. The recommendation form is due by the same deadline as the application: 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

Recommender Name*

Recommender Email*

By checking this box, I understand that my application will not be considered unless the recommendation form is completed by the due date.*

Check Box

Apply to be a Youth Ambassador for Queer History!

Applicant Information

Program Schedule

Skills Self-Assessment

Free Response Questions

Recommendation Form