John R. Lewis High School Becomes First LAUNCH18 School Outside Atlanta

Empowering the Next Generation of Voters (Fall 2026)

The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation’s LAUNCH18 program has officially expanded to Springfield, Virginia with a voter registration rally at the only high school named after Congressman John Lewis.

John R. Lewis High School in Springfield, Virginia, held a voter registration and civic engagement rally on Monday, encouraging students to register to vote, participate in elections and find other ways to make their voices heard, including writing their congressperson, helping others register to vote and organizing friends and classmates around issues important to them.

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Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid

A few days before the rally, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid met with the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation Student Ambassadors and later wrote, “It was inspiring to hear directly from these young people about how they are turning their learning into service and meaningful action. Congressman Lewis’ legacy certainly continues to live on in these student leaders!

Student Ambassadors conducted the program in both English and Spanish. Student-led activities included a mock voting simulation to show first-time voters what the check-in process would be like, postcards to voters, a “Doodling for Democracy” activity, and reflection on what it means to be an empowered voter.

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The League of Women Voters helped register students at the event.

Students who commit to ongoing civic engagement and register to vote, or help others register, are eligible for the John Lewis Civic Engagement Honor Cord.

During the 2025–2026 school year, 297 students from the three original LAUNCH18 high schools in Atlanta earned honor cords.

The next phase of the program will focus on helping students stay engaged through early voting and the November election, followed by another round of LAUNCH18 activities in February.

Six schools are participating in LAUNCH18 during the 2026–2027 school year. Five are in the Atlanta area: Cedar Grove, Columbia, Drew Charter, Druid Hills and McNair high schools. John R. Lewis High School in Springfield, Virginia, is the sixth. The Atlanta schools held their fall events in September.

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LAUNCH18 is the Foundation’s high school voter registration work under the broader B.R.I.D.G.E. program, which supports and encourages the next generation of civic leaders.