Madison McLaughlin co-founded her school’s chapter of Students Demand Action (SDA), a youth activist group committed to ending gun violence. Madison describes feeling “concerned and helpless” regarding school shootings and felt that collaborating with students from her school and with local community organizations was a way for her to have an impact.

She has also helped coordinate with the national chapter of SDA, as well as with local groups aligned with the cause. The Lewis SDA chapter partnered with the local Moms Demand Action group to distribute 100 gun safety locks at a community event shortly after the Apalachee High School shooting in 2024. At that event Madison spoke with several parents and remembers being moved by their stories.

One mother shared that she was disconcerted to find out that a friend who had watched her baby didn't lock up her gun. She remembers how grateful the mother was for the work the gun safety groups were doing, and for all the parents with whom she was able share her fears and hopes for the future.

During the 2024 election campaign, Madison organized and participated in “Get Out the Vote” canvassing efforts for a member of congress who believes in sensible gun reform and organized around twenty students to phone bank in the final days leading up to the election.

At Lewis, her vision is to conduct advocacy-based fundraisers to raise money for organizations dedicated to school safety, such as Sandy Hook Promise. Madison would like to stay in contact with whoever takes over the SDA chapter at John R. Lewis High School when she graduates. Beyond high school she plans to create another chapter of SDA in college. Looking forward, Madison says she is “committed to continuing this work so that my generation grows up in a safer, more responsible world.”