ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — School districts are no strangers to the battle over books. 

According to PEN America, in the 2022-2023 school year, there were about 3,300 book bans in U.S. public schools and libraries. 

While many of these battles play out between parents, school administrators and government officials, there's a group of Orchard Park students getting in on the fight. 

“I had full classes," said Jillian Yarnes, a founder and the director of operations for Students Protecting Education. "I was taking AP classes. I also worked a job.” 

But in 2022, after an Orchard Park school board meeting, some of them decided to add a bit more. 

“A bunch of parents were requesting for a list of books to be banned," said Luke Lippitt, a founder and the executive director for Students Protecting Education. "I saw a common theme in that list.” 

According to PEN America, of the books banned in the 2022-2023 school year, most featured female, queer and or nonbinary protagonists. 

Forty-eight percent had themes of violence and physical abuse, including sexual assault. Forty-two percent covered health and wellbeing topics, including sexual wellbeing and puberty. About a third included sexual experiences between characters, themes of racism or characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters or themes, and themes of death and grief. 

“One of the books they are taught at Orchard Park [...] was The Hate You Give, and that was one of the books that was on this list," recalled Yarned. "It really affected me personally [...] because it was a true story. It was a story about how these marginalized people were being affected in their day to day lives.” 

Only six book bans in New York took place during the 2022-2023 school year, but the push to get more approved got Luke Lippitt and Jillian Yarnes, both high school sophomores at the time, thinking. 

They started Students Protecting Education. 

“It was spring break of 2023 and Jill came to me and she said, 'Hey, Luke. You're handy. Do you want to make a she-shed with me,' and I said, 'I'm not making you a she-shed, but I'll make us an office,'" recalled Lippitt. "It was a great experience for us." 

"Until it got cold and we decided not to insulate it,” laughed Yarnes. 

Through the growing pains, they persevered. 

“Ever since Students Protecting Education, it's, you know, wake up and you have 10 messages from one of our team members, our board members,” said Lippitt. 

Over the past two years, they’ve expanded to Chicago, Virginia, Long Island, South Carolina and more. 

“I don't think it matters if it impacts us or not, it's impacting our peers and our classmates, and that's what matters to us,” he added. 

Proponents for bans, or at least restrictions, argue access to “R-rated” books with explicit language and graphic content, should be a parent’s decision and not their child’s. 

Lippitt disagrees. 

“We're young adults. We're not kids anymore," he said. "We're entering a world where these things are all around us, and [there's] no worse way to send your kid out into the world than know nothing about it.” 

Now seniors, there’s still more to come from this group. 

“In fall 2023, there were over 4,000 books that were banned or challenged. It's still definitely an issue and that number increases each year,” said Yarnes. 

New York state isn’t pushing blanket bans, like other places, so Students Protecting Education is focused on local battles. 

“We got out there, we campaigned, we made calls [and] we made banners,” said Lippitt. 

Putting their support behind candidates for school boards, and even successfully campaigning for one of those seats to go to a student. 

“Our education is definitely in danger, especially this upcoming year, and that's something that me and Luke and our team have been working towards is making sure our education stays safe,” said Yarnes. 

It’s a lot to take in, but they know it’s making a difference. 

“We don't have a message for the people who are against the values of love and acceptance. Our message is to students, and that is that you have a voice," said Lippitt. "All you need to do is just one time, get up and speak, and you will be amazed at the waves that you'll make and the positive change that you'll create.” 

When this original team graduates, they plan to pass the torch. With a big focus on leadership and action, the hope is that graduates will be able to also continue the work, wherever their future takes them.