NORTHAMPTON — Most teenagers don’t spend their free time studying school budgets or speaking up about public education funding. Zara Usman does.

During her four years at Northampton High School, Usman became one of the city’s most prominent student advocates. As president of the Student Union, she regularly urged officials to prioritize funding for public education and listen to student concerns.

Beyond her budget advocacy, Usman served as president of the National Honor Society, represented students on the School Committee and led the school’s marching band as drum major. Her classmates selected her as class speaker for Northampton High School’s 2026 commencement ceremony.

Those efforts — and a commitment to civic engagement uncommon for someone her age — have earned the 18-year-old the Gazette’s 2026 Young Community Leader Award.

“The thing that I’m really proud of is how I’ve made most of my peers aware of our budget concerns and budget advocacy,” Usman said during an interview in her backyard late last week. “Most of my friends and peers know so much about the system now, and I’m an open book and I can tell them anything. Trying to make people interested is important to the cause.”

Though she could not attend an awards ceremony during the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region’s annual meeting at the Look Park Garden House on Thursday, Usman was represented by her parents, Ali Usman and Lisa Papademetriou.

“It is so meaningful to be part of something that is for this community from the people of this community who are working so hard to do everything they can to make sure that people in our area can enjoy the benefits of life,” Papademetriou said.

The Young Community Leader Award honors a person between the ages of 15 and 22 who lives in Hampshire or Franklin County and has contributed to the community through volunteerism or other community involvement, such as civic engagement or public participation. The award, which debuted in 2017, comes with a $500 check, half of which will be donated to a charity of her choice. It is awarded in partnership with the United Way.

Usman’s commitment to civic engagement has extended well beyond her role as a student leader. Last summer, she interned for state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, helping collect stories from residents and organizations across Franklin County that highlighted community efforts to address local challenges and create opportunities.

Comerford has known Usman since she was a child, as her own children grew up alongside her. She said she has been proud to watch Usman follow in the footsteps of her parents, who have long been committed to community service.

“I think she’s wise beyond her years and has a deep commitment to service. She is tenacious and committed to equity,” said Comerford. “It’s been a joy to see her star rise. She’s come into the world powerfully and has remained a true force of nature. She’s embarking on a wonderful life journey.”

Usman says a deep concern for fairness is what fuels her work.

“Fairness and justice is always something I’ve had an innate sense for. My parents would tell you that if something’s not fair, it’s like a bee in my bonnet, I can’t really get it out of my head,” she said.

She continued, “I think that fighting for things to be equal and for every student to have the opportunity regardless of what school they go to is something that is really important to me.”

Usman will start a new chapter at Pomona College on the West Coast this fall. Her long-term goal includes earning a law degree. Instead of aspiring to make big bucks in the corporate world, Usman would like to see herself in 10 years working for nonprofits, whether that be helping children or immigrant women.

As she departs the area, she is confident in the underclassmen who will take up the cause of advocating for students.

“I think part of being a good leader is making sure that the community and the organizations that you’re in are set up after you leave, and so that’s something that I’ve really worked on and been successful in. I know that we have a great team lined up next year for the Student Union,” Usman says.

In her four years as president of the Student Union, Usman attended almost every school event, including running student elections and leading orientation. Along the way, she listened to every concern, whether it was bathroom closures in the school, an upcoming cellphone ban, or the ongoing geothermal project, which has limited parking at the school.

“I didn’t really have a group, but I was always able to talk to people, and through talking to people, I heard their issues and that made me a better representative of the union, because I knew exactly what I needed to do,” she said.

Giselle Ohm has been friends with Usman since middle school. She shared that Usman was especially active listening to the voices of students of color.

“As a leader in her class, she led several protests against and conversations on racial discrimination in the school,” said Ohm.

Even outside of her advocacy work, Ohm described Usman as a fun person to be around.

“Zara knows how to have fun. She is one of the best friends I have met. Whether it be the middle of the school day or late after a School Committee meeting, Zara is always up to talk about anything and everything. Her advice on school, relationships or music is some of the best,” said Ohm.

Usman leaves some advice for young people with a passion for politics.

“Something that I would tell younger students who specifically have an interest in politics is to seriously talk to everyone in your grade. I cannot stress enough that having multiple perspectives, hearing multiple perspectives, was the best part of my high school experience. I think that gave me so much knowledge that not everyone has.”