Wayzata High School senior Markus Wessman has been honored with the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award by the National Association of Secretaries of State, recognizing his outstanding achievements in social justice and leadership.
Markus first discovered his passion for representational government through student council, where he has served as class president for the past two years. Leading Minnesota’s largest student council—comprised of 225 members—he has played a key role in organizing more than 30 events and overseeing the distribution of over $12,000 in charitable funds.
Beyond his leadership at Wayzata, Markus saw the need to increase voter registration and pre-registration among high school students. In 2023, he founded the Youth Voter Project, a nonpartisan, student-led organization focused on voter education and engagement in Minnesota. Through collaboration with election experts, nonprofit leaders, and outreach specialists, Markus secured a $5,000 grant, recruited a board and 34 student ambassadors, and built a sustainable model for youth voter engagement. In its first year alone, the initiative facilitated over 1,000 student registrations and pre-registrations at 28 Minnesota high schools—a number that has since grown to more than 2,400.
As Markus prepares to graduate and continue his education, he leaves behind a lasting impact on student leadership and civic engagement. His dedication to empowering young voters ensures that the work of the Youth Voter Project will continue to grow for years to come.
Congratulations, Markus, on this well-deserved recognition!