2026 Youth Leadership Award

2026 Award Winner
Riley Ginton
Lawrence High School



Ever since Riley was a kid, she has been interested in social justice and politics. As she has gotten older that interest has just grown. During her high school journey, she looked for ways to be an active leader and change-maker, not only in her school but also in her community. As president of the LHS Advocates for Innocence Club, she led two student voter drives with the Lawrence LWV. Her commitment to the Younity Peer Education program has helped her build her leadership skills and continue to pursue her passion for bettering her community.

The Lawrence League of Women Voters 2026 Youth Leadership Award

The League of Women Voters of Lawrence (LWVLT) has awarded its Annual Youth Leadership Awards for 2026.

The LWVLT is part of a state and national nonpartisan civic organization open to women, men, and students. The League of Women Voters works to register voters, provide voter education and ensure that everyone is represented in our democracy.

The award was made to a college-bound applicant who exemplified civic leadership in her community. The awards are intentionally broad to encourage applications from students conducting non-traditional forms of action. These could include but are not limited to : broadening participation in voting, providing information to students or the community on how democratic government works, engaging local community groups around a current issue. We particularly seek projects that align with the LWV values and mission.

The LWVLT primarily serves Lawrence, Trenton, Ewing, and Hamilton.

Questions? Email YLAchair.lwvlt@gmail.com or phone our message line at 609-301-0401.

2026 Keynote Speaker
Calandria Ortiz-Resende
League of Women Voters of New Jersey

Calandria Ortiz-Resende is an immigrant, licensed social worker, and policy professional with extensive experience in legislative strategy, coalition building, budget advocacy, and community-centered policy development.

She currently serves as a Policy Analyst at the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, where she advances democracy-focused reforms including voting rights, fair redistricting, Census planning, and government transparency.

Previously, Calandria served as Policy Director at the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence, where she led statewide legislative and budget advocacy efforts, advanced survivor-centered policies, and represented the coalition before the New Jersey Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and federal partners.

Calandria is an Eagleton Institute of Politics Fellow at Rutgers University and serves on the Board of Fair Share Housing Center, the Board of the Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey Action Fund, and the Latino Action Network Steering Committee, collaborating with partners across the state on housing, economic justice, and democratic participation.

She holds a Master of Social Work in Management and Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Rutgers University, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration from INTEC in the Dominican Republic, and is a licensed social worker in New Jersey.