Student School Safety Advocate
A high school senior leading state policy change, building safer schools, and empowering student voices.
I’m Zander Bauer, a senior at Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut, and a passionate advocate for school safety. I co-founded my school’s “Make Our Schools Safe” chapter, led the passage of state legislation (SB1216), and served as one of just 10 students nationwide selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to advise on school safety.
My mission is simple: to make schools safer - not someday, but now.
Whether I’m testifying before lawmakers, designing awareness campaigns, or mentoring younger students, I believe in leading with action and empathy.
My Work
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Summary: Helped draft and pass legislation that mandates wireless panic buttons in all public school classrooms in Connecticut.
Impact: Bill passed unanimously in Senate and House. Signed into law on June 25, 2025.
Media Coverage: CT Insider, FOX61, 06880 blog
Watch my testimony here
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Summary: Co-founded Connecticut’s first MOSS chapter. Grew to 300+ student members.
Achievements: Raised $3,000 for “Stop the Bleed” kits across all Westport schools.
Leadership: Led monthly meetings, social media campaigns, and schoolwide engagement.xt goes here
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Summary: Hand-selected by DHS as one of 10 student ambassadors to advise the national K-12 school safety report.
Role: Represented student voices, shared best practices, and consulted on federal safety policies.
Experience & Leadership
2025
Student Advisor
Dept. of Homeland Security
Advised federal safety commission
2021 - 2025
Co-Founder & President
MOSS Staples
Lead school chapter + awareness
2024
Law Academy Participant
Georgetown University
Led mock prosecution team
2022 - 2025
Lifeguard
Shorehaven CC
CPR & First Aid Certified
2023 - 2025
Co-Founder
Ski Ya Later
$11.5K resale business
Media & Press
06880 Newspaper Coverage
Senate Bill 1216 Full Text
CT Insider Coverage of SB1216
FEDERAL SCHOOL SAFETY CLEARINGHOUSE Student Ambassador and Expert
Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS)
Westport Board of Education Hearing
Zander Bauer and Elija Falkenstein appeal to the Board of Education to make Staples HS, the first school in the state to implement wireless panic buttons, per SB1216
FOX61 Interview
Zander Bauer & Elija Falkenstin explain why SB1216 must be passed in the State of Connecticut
