This past year has been one of the most unprecedented, arduous times in modern history. The COVID-19 pandemic has been characterized by disruption, uncertainty, and what felt like a lifetime of trials and tribulations for many. But it has also been characterized by perseverance, hope, and inspiration. In this special edition of Public Service Review, you will meet 12 students from across the United States who embody what it means to persevere, have hope, and inspire in these unrelentless times. 

For instance, you will hear from Cameron Lynch, a William & Mary sophomore who found her voice through activism during the COVID-19 pandemic. You will also hear from Erica Colston, a University of Texas Bill Archer Fellow who learned to adapt and embrace new opportunities when her dream internship fell through. Keshav Raghu, a student at the University of Chicago, reflects on how he used his skills acquired through high school Congressional Debate competition to help local nonprofits build capacity in the Hyde Park community.

This edition also includes inspirational interviews with U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell and former U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, who reflect on their friendship, bipartisanship, and the future of public service, and Antwyn Brown, Chief of Staff to the Dekalb County School District in Georgia, who shares his insights on public service in the education sector and how his school district adapted to meet the needs of more than 100,000 students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their stories, in addition to others featured in the journal, offer an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable resilience of our nation’s youth and instill a fresh sense of hope for our nation’s future. As the storm of this pandemic clears, we must not forget the determination and endurance of our nation’s youngest public servants.