Ranen Miao is a junior at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he studies political science and sociology and is president of the debate team. As a high schooler, Ranen was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for Congressional debate and was a member of the National Debate Team.

“I want to live on a planet where all people, regardless of the place you are born, the color of your skin, the person you love, the God that you pray to (or don’t), the gender you identify with and the amount of money in your bank account are treated with dignity, have access to equal opportunities to thrive and are valued for who they are.”