Zion Sykes: How He Turned from Loss to Leadership

Was it the loss of his grandmother, or his curiosity, that led him to become the president of the University Park Undergraduate Association, the student representative to the Borough of State College’s City Council, and the chair of the Committee on Governmental and Community Relations?

For Zion Sykes, the answer isn’t as simple as either/or—it’s both. 

When I called Zion on Zoom, I saw a young man whose enthusiasm and wisdom far exceeded his 21 years. He was confident, always smiling, and speaking with kindness and clarity. Right from the start, it was clear he had a deep sense of purpose and a strong vision for the future. He told me the story of his journey and his activism.

In the early days of the pandemic, when everything slowed down, Zion found himself sitting at home, unsure of what to do next. It was during this time that he reached out to a friend involved with Philly Youth Vote, thinking it might be a good way to fill the time. What started as a way to fill free time soon turned into a calling.

The real turning point came when tragedy hit his family. Zion’s grandmother passed away from Covid-19, and, as he grieved, he learned that a pandemic measure could have provided masks to families like his—but it had been blocked by an elected official. 

“Man, that could have saved my grandma and other people,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and determination.  “It really does matter what policies are in place.”

This moment of loss transformed into a passion for civic engagement and leadership. “I didn’t want that to happen to anyone else,” Zion says. 

What began as a personal tragedy evolved into a commitment to ensuring that others could make informed choices and have their voices heard. At first, Zion didn’t realize just how vital this work was. But the more he got involved, the more he understood the impact he could have—connecting with people, helping them realize the importance of their vote, and raising awareness about political and civil engagement, especially among young people.

Zion’s double major in political science and global and international politics at Penn State University gave him the tools and knowledge to drive these changes within his community. But his true learning came from the ground level and his engagement with PA Youth Vote (formerly Philly Youth Vote). He began meeting people, listening to their concerns, and stepping up to advocate for them.

When Zion asked people what motivated or discouraged them from voting, he received responses that not only intrigued him, but also helped him grow personally. One individual, for example, questioned what the government had done for him, implying that voting was undeserved. Despite coming from the same area, Zion and this person had very different perspectives. "It's like a circle," Zion explained. "You're saying, I'm not going to vote because nothing's going to change, but on the other side, the politicians are doing what they want, getting re-elected, and it all comes back to you-you're still not voting because they didn't do anything."

Before the pandemic, Zion never imagined himself in these roles. A shy teenager from Philadelphia, he was focused more on his own life than on the political landscape. But his journey—through hardship, self-discovery, and personal growth—has shaped him into a leader who now understands the real importance of voting and how policies directly impact every person’s life. 

Modar Kaddar, an international student from Syria. Despite studying pre-med with a double major in STEM, he is so interested in making a difference through community work and social/political activism.