Maria Udalova

Intern

I am a senior at Brookline High School, which I transferred to during my sophomore year after moving from Florida. I have had a diverse upbringing across Russia, Cyprus, and London, facilitated by my parent’s love for new adventures and change as well as their inability to stay in one place for too long — my mother jokes that it’s because of our Romani heritage, and I find it hard to disagree. Our constant travels have shaped my love for new experiences, ideas, people, and initiatives. 

In the summer of 2022, I was introduced to nuclear disarmament advocacy while interning with Sherman. This sparked my deep involvement in nuclear disarmament activism during my junior year. Since then, I’ve become a steering committee member of Students for Nuclear Disarmament (SND) and the founding president of the Brookline SND chapter.  I am incredibly proud of how we’ve grown as a student organization over the past year. We have coordinated events such as a webinar on the intersection of climate change and nuclear weapons, and SND members are constantly spreading awareness of the importance of youth in the disarmament movement by participating in events like panels and other forums. 

My advocacy work has taken me coast to coast — lobbying in DC, participating in Hiroshima and Nagasaki remembrance events in Seattle, presenting to advocacy groups on youth engagement, and leading 30 students in lobbying at the Massachusetts State House for climate and disarmament legislation. I’ve also received the Youth Nuclear Abolition award from IPPNW and GBPSR for my advocacy, an honor I can’t describe.  

In addition to my disarmament work, I serve as the Director of Policy Development at the American Youth Association (AYA), where I research and generate youth-centered legislation. Working with AYA has been an insightful experience, offering a deep dive into policy creation. I am confident that the motivated youth I work with will be capable leaders of our country when the time comes.

Through these experiences, I’ve learned that advocacy is often an uphill battle, but I refuse to lose hope. I’ve been fortunate to have a supportive team around me, pushing me to grow and develop my skills. As I prepare for the college application process, I plan to pursue a degree in Political Science and International Affairs, excited for the challenges and growth that await.

At Brookline High, I am the captain of the Mock Trial and Speech and Debate clubs, and the Secretary General of the Model UN club. These activities allow me to engage in meaningful discourse, hone my argumentative skills, and mentor other students. I’m also involved in the Climate and Food Justice club as an editor for The Greenzine, I’m the editor for the BHS literary magazine Refractions, and I was previously a staff writer for the school newspaper, the Cypress. 

In the Brookline community, I work in a pottery studio, volunteer at the Brookline food pantry, and am currently pursuing a warrant article to disqualify nuclear weapons companies from getting contracts with our town.  Don’t let my 5,4” stature fool you — I also play for my school’s Rugby Football Club and can be a pretty effective right wing.

I first met Sherman when he came to my Global Leadership class as a guest speaker. Captivated by his insights, I sought out an internship with him, knowing it would be an unparalleled journey. With his encouragement, I secured a spot in the Oslo Scholars program, becoming the first non-university student to do so, and interned with the Belarusian NGO Ecohome. At Ecohome, I’ve researched materials for publication on activist repression in Belarus and broader environmental rights protection issues across Europe and the U.S.

Every day, I’m inspired by the Trebuchet community and the impact we continue to make together. As I look ahead, I’m eager to see where my advocacy journey will lead, and I feel confident knowing I have the unwavering support of this incredible team by my side.

[Teichman:] Maria has proven to be an extraordinary, delightful, and productive contributor to making The Trebuchet be more disciplined and organized than I could have hoped. :) She has won second place in the Massachusetts state-wide debate championship. She has broken precedent in enabling me to successfully sponsor a high school student to become an Oslo Scholar. Given her Russian language skills, she will be working with an Oslo Scholar human rights activist from Belarus. I have had tremendous fun recommending her for her MENSA award.