The Student Advocacy Program (SAP) was established in 2023 at South Tahoe High School, created by Topher Lilly, who recognized an urgent need to support his peers. Founded on the principles of equity, fairness, and student empowerment, SAP was launched in response to a series of events in which students were punished unjustly, faced discrimination, and were misled about their rights. What started as a grassroots effort quickly grew into a structured, student-led organization dedicated to protecting student rights and fostering a more accountable educational environment. Early efforts focused on individual cases, helping students challenge disciplinary actions, appeal unfair grading decisions, and report discrimination or harassment. This quickly revealed a broader pattern of systemic issues, and within the first year, SAP successfully corrected more than five violations of the California Education Code, directly impacting over 4,000 students district-wide.

As the program gained recognition among students, families, and school administrators, it became clear that SAP had the potential to make an even greater impact. The need for advocacy didn’t stop at secondary schools, and in 2024, SAP initiated plans to establish a branch at Lake Tahoe Community College, creating the first multi-institutional student advocacy network on the West Coast. To ensure coordination and quality across all branches, SAP also established the Governance Board to handle inter-branch collaboration, ensure compliance with internal standards, and investigate issues that affect students across campuses.

Today, SAP is no longer just a program; it’s a movement. Built by students, for students. SAP remains committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstance, has access to fair treatment, meaningful education, and someone who will stand up for them when it matters most. As we grow, we continue to advocate, educate, and reform, always guided by our founding belief:

That respect in education is not a privilege—it’s a right.