For three years Ava Saunders and Grace Varughese have worked as a team to end gun violence.
In 2022, Ava and Grace joined other Hayfield students in the March for Our Lives rally in DC in response to the shooting in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. They then decided to join Students Demand Action (SDA) at Hayfield, the first high school chapter in Virginia. SDA is a nonpartisan organization that works to end violence, advocates for common-sense firearm legislation, and promotes safe and secure storage of firearms. They endorse political candidates based on their gun policies rather than on party affiliation. SDA now has more than 800 groups across the country and volunteers in every state.
Ava and Grace have served as co-presidents of Hayfield’s SDA for the last two years. Ava feels that one of best things about running the SDA is the opportunity to foster connections between members of the club. She says, “Our intent is to create a safe space to express ideas, opinions, and beliefs, without the fear of aggressive retaliation. This enables our members to have meaningful conversations with one another.”
Members of Hayfield’s SDA are politically active. Before the last election they wrote postcards to mobilize voters in swing states to vote for specific candidates who supported gun safety. They also attend SDA’s annual Virginia Advocacy Day where over 300 people travel to Richmond to go door-to-door to legislators’ offices to advocate for gun-safety. Last year Ava and Grace spoke in front of this large crowd, filled with volunteers and legislators. They said that firearms have no place in schools, and they pointed out that guns are the number-one cause of adolescent deaths, and that students should feel safe at school. They received a standing ovation for their speeches. Although they hoped for more legislation, they applauded a bill which was passed to prevent the creation of untraceable, homemade firearms, commonly called “ghost guns”.
Grace and several other chapter members were invited to attend a US Senate hearing addressing the problem of convicted domestic abusers having unchecked access to firearms. They demanded protection of victims of domestic violence and the safety of all Americans.
Ava and Grace also work outside of Hayfield to spread their message. They talk to students in other schools to encourage them to start an SDA chapter, and they join marches and network with other organizations such as Moms Demand Action and Be Smart. Grace participated in community events with the Alexandria Sheriff’s Department to educate and distribute firearm locks. She says, “We never take a violent approach when spreading awareness. I believe that it’s fundamental to engage in calm conversations and negotiations to create a lasting change. I believe that all Americans have the right to bear arms. My efforts are geared toward speaking truth to power and passing common-sense legislation.”
Ava points out that “Having youth supporting an end to gun violence has inspired many to join the movement. More young people being courageous and unafraid to stick up for their rights to keep schools safe and encourage safe storage of firearms is one large step toward achieving peace in this country.”