OlaRose Ndubuisi is a senior at Pittsford Mendon High School in Pittsford, New York, who is passionate about fostering a positive environment for others through her leadership, writing and advocacy. As the president of the Black Student Union (BSU), OlaRose revived and invigorated the struggling BSU, increasing attendance and membership to more than 74 members. She founded initiatives including the Black Speaker Series, in which Black leaders are invited for a speech and Q&A session with the school. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans visited in Feb. 2025, New York Sen. Samra Brouk visited in April and New York Assemblyman Demond Meeks will visit next school year. OlaRose is the 2024-25 New York State Youth Poet Laureate. At the New York City Poetry Festival in July 2024, she recited "The Golden Hour of a Black Girl," her poem about self-love and overcoming insecurities. At her school, she held a “Black Women Poets” presentation, teaching students how to write poetry in the style of notable female poets. She is the co-editor of her school literary magazine and a writer for the school newspaper. OlaRose also is one of 25 youth in the U.S. honored with the 2024 Prudential Emerging Visionaries award for her nonprofit, The Finding Scoliosis Kindly (FiSK) Project, which raises scoliosis awareness. She is founder and president of the FiSK Club at her school, which teaches students how to use creative outlets to cope with emotions.