A Chiawana High School graduate and student advocate recently was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Award for his public service.

Jared Costanzo received the award from the Seattle City Club, a civic organization. He and four other winners now will vie to represent the state for the national award later this year

Costanzo founded The Student Voice Project with other students in 2010 in reaction to a decision by the neighboring Kennewick School Board to restrict extracurricular activities for students because of a request to form a Gay-Straight Alliance group. Costanzo and the students met with school superintendents about the loss of student rights, and the board reversed the decision.

The Student Voice Project was expanded throughout the state to further advocate for student rights. Costanzo graduated from Pasco’s Chiawana High in 2012 and moved to Washington, D.C., filing to become a political action committee and establishing a national headquarters there for the organization.

People can vote for Costanzo to be the state’s nominee for the national award through March 25 by going to KING5.com or by calling 866-257-5533.