Youth Ambassadors for Queer History 2025-2026 (Teacher Recommendation)

A student applicant has requested your recommendation!

Organized by One Institute | www.oneinstitute.org/youth-ambassadors-for-queer-history
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 will begin meeting in September 2026 for approximately two Saturdays per month through January 2027 (see full program schedule). Snacks and lunch are provided at all sessions.

As a Youth Ambassador for Queer History, students 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 students in developing creative archival research projects, to be exhibited at One Gallery, West Hollywood, on January 30, 2027, for local leaders, community members, family, and friends. Read about our 2024 youth exhibition here, and explore past project highlights here.

Students gain academic research experience, project management skills, community networking, and other tools to increase visibility of LGBTQ+ history in their schools 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 are available 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 & Advocacy at One Institute, a former high school social studies teacher.

Form 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, August 30, 2026. Applicants will be notified of decisions via email by Monday, September 7. Our first session will take place at One Gallery on Saturday, September 12, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Please direct all questions to Trevor Ladner, Director of Education & Advocacy, at tladner@oneinstitute.org.
Recommender Information

Describe yourself and your relationship with the student applicant below.
Student Applicant's Name

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Skills Assessment

Rate your student's academic and leadership skills in the following areas. All responses should be given on a scale of 1 to 4 with 1 being "Beginner" and 4 being "Expert." There is also an option of "Not Observed." Then, reflect on your student's skills in 100 words or less.
Conducting Online Research
Reading Academic Texts
Analyzing Historical Documents
Writing Essays
Presenting Projects
Showing Leadership in school or community
Collaborating with Peers
How will your student's academic and leadership skills help them succeed in this program?

0/100
How do you hope to see your student grow their academic and leadership skills in this program?

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Anything else you would like to share about your student's skills?
Free Response Questions

Answer each of the following prompts in 250 words or less.
Explain this student's capacity to participate in LGBTQ+ history research and community advocacy.

250 Words Maximum0/250
Explain this student's capacity to collaborate with a diverse group of students.

250 Words Maximum0/250
Explain this student's capacity for consistent communication and long-term project management (Sep. 2026 - Jan. 2027).

250 Words Maximum0/250
Anything else we should know about why your student is a strong fit for this program?

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Final Step: Confirm Submission

Email Trevor Ladner, Director of Education & Advocacy, at tladner@oneinstitute.org to confirm that you submitted this recommendation form on behalf of your student applicant.
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A student applicant has requested your recommendation!

Recommender Information

Skills Assessment

Free Response Questions

Final Step: Confirm Submission