Introducing the GLS Changemakers Club™
A New Student Leadership Initiative Inspired by You
The response to the Global Lighthouse Studios™ Student Board has been nothing short of inspiring.
As applications continue to arrive from students around the world who want to lead, create, and make a difference, we've realized something important: one Student Board simply isn't enough.
That's why we're excited to announce the launch of the GLS Changemakers Club™—a new after-school leadership program designed to empower even more students to become changemakers in their own schools and communities.
The GLS Changemakers Club gives students the opportunity to collaborate with classmates while connecting with a growing international network of young leaders. Through creativity, storytelling, innovation, service learning, sustainability, the arts, and global collaboration, students will design and lead projects that make a meaningful impact both locally and globally.
As part of the club, schools will also have the opportunity to participate in exciting international initiatives, beginning with Imagine Change, a new project developed in partnership with SIMA Academy. Through award-winning documentary films, students will explore important global issues before creating their own action projects inspired by what they learn.
A Pathway to Global Leadership
The GLS Changemakers Club is more than an after-school program—it's a leadership pathway.
Students who demonstrate initiative, creativity, collaboration, and a passion for making a difference will be invited to apply for the GLS Global Student Leadership Council.
Each year, Global Lighthouse Studios™ will appoint student representatives from participating schools and regions around the world to serve on the Council. These student leaders will represent their schools, collaborate internationally, help shape future GLS initiatives, and serve as ambassadors for creativity, innovation, and global citizenship.
Whether students dream of becoming filmmakers, artists, musicians, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, environmental advocates, or community leaders, the GLS Changemakers Club provides a place to develop leadership skills while making a positive impact.
We believe every student has the potential to change the world—and sometimes all it takes is one opportunity to begin.
Join the 2026–2027 Global Lighthouse Studios™ Student Board
Are you passionate about making a difference? Do you enjoy the arts, sustainability, innovation, storytelling, or connecting with people from around the world?
Global Lighthouse Studios™ is seeking motivated high school students to serve on our 2026–2027 Global Student Board. This volunteer leadership opportunity gives students the chance to collaborate with peers from different countries, develop leadership skills, contribute to meaningful global projects, and help shape the future of our organization.
Students may choose a leadership pathway in Global Leadership, Arts & Culture, Innovation & STEAM, Sustainability, Community Impact, or Student Voice & Advocacy while serving in a variety of leadership roles.
This is an unpaid, volunteer position designed to provide students with valuable leadership experience, global connections, and opportunities to make a lasting impact.
Ready to lead? Complete the application today and join a global community of young changemakers!
Ancient Cities of the Future Inspires Creativity, Sustainability, and Student Innovation in Brooklyn
On June 8, 2026, students, educators, artists, musicians, and community leaders gathered at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn for an unforgettable Ancient Cities of the Future Celebration, hosted in partnership with Global Lighthouse Studios.
The event brought together the worlds of art, sustainability, technology, storytelling, and environmental stewardship, inspiring students to imagine what future communities might look like while learning from the innovations of ancient civilizations.
The celebration followed a World Ocean Day beach clean-up at Coney Island and aligned with New York City Public Schools' Climate Action Day, highlighting the importance of clean water, healthy oceans, and community action.
Throughout the day, students participated in hands-on workshops led by an extraordinary group of artists and creative professionals.
Author, musician, and performer Melissa Campesi led engaging workshops in theater, movement, and creative expression, encouraging students to explore storytelling through performance and dance. Her energy and passion inspired students to use their voices, imagination, and creativity in new ways.
Contemporary artist and technologist Ethan Alexander Rainbolt shared insights into his work at the intersection of art, mapping, data visualization, technology, and storytelling. Students explored how maps have helped civilizations understand and navigate their world throughout history and how artists today use data, geography, and creative technologies to uncover new ways of seeing the connections between people, places, and cultures. His workshop encouraged students to think about the ways ancient and modern societies use information, design, and creativity to better understand the world around them.
Students were also treated to a memorable musical performance by acclaimed actress and singer Teresa Hui, who opened the celebration with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem before performing an original song. Her powerful performance set the tone for the day, bringing students, educators, and guests together in a shared celebration of creativity, community, and possibility.
A highlight of the day was a powerful keynote address from Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine and one of the world's most celebrated educators. Ritz energized the audience with his trademark enthusiasm, challenging students to recognize their potential as leaders, innovators, and changemakers while emphasizing the importance of community, sustainability, and believing in themselves.
The celebration showcased student-created artwork, sustainability projects, future city concepts, multimedia storytelling, and innovative ideas for creating healthier and more resilient communities. Through interdisciplinary learning experiences that connected history, art, technology, environmental stewardship, and design thinking, students demonstrated that they are not only learning about the future—they are helping create it.
The success of the event was made possible through the vision and leadership of Nancy Woods, Assistant Principal of the STEM and Arts Academies at John Dewey High School, Mashfiq Ahmed, Technology Teacher, and Donna Guerin, Founder and Executive Director of Global Lighthouse Studios. Together, they created an experience that empowered students to think boldly, collaborate creatively, and imagine solutions to real-world challenges.
The event also celebrated student achievement across multiple disciplines, including emerging arts, STEM programming, environmental stewardship, community storytelling, and youth leadership. Student projects explored the evolution of clean water systems from ancient civilizations to modern innovations, sustainable city design, food equity, and creative solutions to challenges facing communities today.
Ancient Cities of the Future stands as a powerful reminder that when students are given opportunities to create, explore, and connect with inspiring mentors, they can become the architects of a brighter and more sustainable future.
As Stephen Ritz reminded students throughout the day, the future belongs to those willing to grow, innovate, and lead with purpose—and the students of John Dewey High School demonstrated exactly what that future can look like.
"Where Arts and Innovation Light the Way."
Global Lighthouse Studios is excited to share that we have officially applied to be considered for the T4 Education Global EdTech Prize.
Over the past several years, GLS has had the incredible opportunity to work alongside students, educators, artists, and schools around the world using music, storytelling, sustainability, creativity, and innovation to help young people imagine and design a better future.
From Ancient Cities of the Future and global student podcasts to blues education, animation projects, sustainability initiatives, and student-led storytelling experiences, our work has always centered around one core belief: empowering student voice through meaningful, creative learning experiences.
As a growing global network, we are proud to create opportunities that connect classrooms across cultures while encouraging collaboration, curiosity, and innovation through the arts and interdisciplinary learning.
We are deeply grateful to every student, educator, school, artist, and partner who has been part of this journey so far, and we look forward to continuing to build global connections through education and innovation.
