About Topher
Topher Lilly
Topher Lilly
SAP Founder and Chair
I'm Christopher Lilly, but I go by Topher. Brought up by my Mom, I was always taught to question authority and never be afraid to stand up for what's right. Upon entering High school at South Tahoe High, I watched as my peers were mistreated, lied to, and discriminated against. It was clear that something had to change, and no one was going to stand up for us except ourselves. I began by speaking with classmates and friends, trying to raise awareness, but we needed a platform to get the staff to listen to us. In 2023, I founded the Student Advocacy Program, a fully student-led initiative, to protect student rights and hold schools accountable. Finding peers who were just as passionate was no issue, given what the school would do. We quickly banded together and started building from the ground up. From solving student issues to investigating policy violations, we were helping everyone, one issue at a time. We faced backlash and retaliation, with the school eventually trying to illegally prevent me from being admitted to my college. But nothing would stop us from standing up for what's right. We continued to resolve countless student issues and address policy violations. Within our first year, we had resolved over five California Education Code violations, positively impacted more than 4,000 students, and saved the district from potentially heavy fines and legal fees. Although we had plenty of setbacks along the way, I can say from the bottom of my heart that I could not be more proud of where we are today. Each member of SAP has shown themselves with dignity and grace in the face of an administration that employs retaliation, illegal maneuvers, and punishment to suppress anyone who stands against them. We proved that students can organize, lead, and make true systemic change.
The Student Advocacy Program is dedicated to justice, fairness, and the fundamental belief that you deserve to be heard! We exist because of the courageous students and individuals who choose to stand up for what's right, and we will continue to fight so long as that courage remains.
Please join us today and make a change you can be proud of.
Topher Lilly
SAP Founder and Chair
I'm Christopher Lilly, but I go by Topher. Brought up by my Mom, I was always taught to question authority and never be afraid to stand up for what's right. Upon entering High school at South Tahoe High, I watched as my peers were mistreated, lied to, and discriminated against. It was clear that something had to change, and no one was going to stand up for us except ourselves. I began by speaking with classmates and friends, trying to raise awareness, but we needed a platform to get the staff to listen to us. In 2023, I founded the Student Advocacy Program, a fully student-led initiative, to protect student rights and hold schools accountable. Finding peers who were just as passionate was no issue, given what the school would do. We quickly banded together and started building from the ground up. From solving student issues to investigating policy violations, we were helping everyone, one issue at a time. We faced backlash and retaliation, with the school eventually trying to illegally prevent me from being admitted to my college. But nothing would stop us from standing up for what's right. We continued to resolve countless student issues and address policy violations. Within our first year, we had resolved over five California Education Code violations, positively impacted more than 4,000 students, and saved the district from potentially heavy fines and legal fees. Although we had plenty of setbacks along the way, I can say from the bottom of my heart that I could not be more proud of where we are today. Each member of SAP has shown themselves with dignity and grace in the face of an administration that employs retaliation, illegal maneuvers, and punishment to suppress anyone who stands against them. We proved that students can organize, lead, and make true systemic change.
The Student Advocacy Program is dedicated to justice, fairness, and the fundamental belief that you deserve to be heard! We exist because of the courageous students and individuals who choose to stand up for what's right, and we will continue to fight so long as that courage remains.
Please join us today and make a change you can be proud of.
