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One sun, lighting the way to a stronger community.

Interested in taking action, making a difference in student lives, and gaining leadership experience?

Join the Student Unity Network!

About Us

Welcome to the Student Unity Network, a club created for students, by students. We are committed to preventing social isolation, bullying, and school violence, while promoting unity and inclusion.

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Director of the Mecklenburg County Teen Court program, Ms. Lauren Bowley, joined CUNC's fun ice cream event to speak about common teen issues, how school environments can impact students in our age group, and ways to prevent situations that can lead to becoming an offender in Teen Court.

Each chapter of SUN adjusts and focuses its mission depending on the unique needs of its school. 

SUN isn’t just about spreading kindness— it’s about:

  • listening to student concerns

  • addressing real issues

  • taking meaningful action to create a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.

Our initatives center around:

  • Creating inclusive environments in schools

  • Providing peer support for students

  • Empowering students to take a stand against bullying and exclusion

  • Organizing engaging events

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The Charger Unity Network Club's "Kindness Link Project", where students were encouraged to observe acts of kindness at school, write about them, and connect them in a competition to see which grade could create the longest chain.

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​Bringing our community together in schools and beyond.

Testimonials

"The Charger Unity Network Club has been such a great opportunity for me and was so meaningful. It taught me that there is always unity behind the emptiness you feel. I really feel like this club has helped heal my depression and make me a better person. I love to be involved with all sorts of things, and I am really thankful I was a part of the club this year!" .

"Being a member of CUNC means being a part of a vibrant group of fellow students, whose prime goal is to bring our school together through the best means- kindness. Through the club, I have truly realized the impact of empathy and compassion, which has built up my personality in many aspects. For example, the Kindness Link Project really showed me that there is kindness in our world, and we, as members of CUNC, should focus on fostering that kindness, whether through activities or just helping someone brighten their day".

Team

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Amrita Meda
SUN Founder and CEO
The Student Unity Network Board
MAIN BRANCH
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Sammy Gable
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Jacob Whitehead
LOGISTICS MANAGER
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Karina K. Tretiak
EVENTS LEAD
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Ayushman Patra
RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Prisha Patel
MEDIA STRATEGIST
The Charger Unity Network Club Board
Jay M. Robinson MS
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Lilly McConnell
CUNC PRESIDENT
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Sriya Mognti
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
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Mariah Sloan
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
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Gnapika Kalidindi
STUDENT RELATIONS CHAIR
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Sai Jadav
LIAISON ADVISOR
Alicia Chacko
LIAISON ADVISOR
Irin Charmis
SECRETARY

Events

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April 2025

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CUNC's Kindness Link Project The Charger Unity Network Club's "Kindness Link Project", where students were encouraged to observe acts of kindness at school, write about them, and connect them in a competition to see which grade could create the longest chain.

May 2025

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CUNC Ice Cream Social and Guest Speaker Director of the Mecklenburg County Teen Court program, Ms. Lauren Bowley, joined CUNC's fun ice cream event to speak about common teen issues, how school environments can impact students in our age group, and ways to prevent situations that can lead to becoming an offender in Teen Court.

November 2025

Walk to END Epilepsy- Charlotte SUN Members volunteered to raise awareness for Epilepsy.

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Chapters and Branches

Bring the power of SUN to your community.

Start a chapter at your school or launch a branch in your county, state, or even across the globe.

Wherever the sun shines, The Student Unity Network can grow.

Jay M. Robinson MS

• The Charger Unity Network Club (CUNC)

• SUN's first branch

• Established in 2024

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  • Instagram

Ballantyne Ridge HS

Myers Park HS

• The Wolves Unity Network Club (WUNC)

• SUN's third branch

• Established in 2026

• The Mustangs Unity Network Club (MUNC)

• SUN's fourth branch

• Established in 2026

• The Panthers Unity Network Club (PUNC)

• SUN's second branch

• Established in 2026

Providence HS

  • Instagram
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Get Involved!

Think one person can’t change much? Try leading. Try teaming up with us. Let’s see what kind of difference SUN can make.

Interested in becoming a member?

Publications Team

Purpose:

Create, edit, and publish written content that informs, educates, and engages the youth community.

What They Do

  • Write news articles, features, opinion pieces, and interviews

  • Edit and proofread submissions

  • Fact-check information

  • Publish articles to the website

  • Develop story ideas 

Possible Member Roles

  • Writers

  • Event Recap Writer

  • Editors

  • Section Editors

  • Proofreader

Content Creation Team

Purpose:

Produce engaging multimedia content that showcases The SUN and its community.

What They Do

  • Create TikToks and Instagram Reels

  • Film and edit videos

  • Take photos at events

  • Conduct interviews

  • Design graphics and visual assets

  • Produce behind-the-scenes content

  • Brainstorm creative content ideas

Possible Member Roles

  • Videographers

  • Video Editors

  • Photographers

  • Graphic Designers

  • Content Hosts

  • Creative Producers

Social Media Team

Purpose:

Manage The SUN's online presence and build an engaged community across social platforms.

What They Do

  • Create and schedule social media posts

  • Write captions and hashtags

  • Manage Instagram Stories and highlights

  • Respond to comments and messages

  • Promote articles, events, and campaigns

  • Maintain a consistent posting schedule

Possible Member Roles

  • Social Media Managers

  • Content Schedulers

  • Community Managers

  • Caption Writers

  • Post Designers

Brand & Marketing Team

​Purpose:

Develop and maintain The SUN's visual identity while promoting its mission and initiatives.

What They Do

  • Create promotional campaigns

  • Design flyers, posters, and digital graphics

  • Maintain brand consistency

  • Develop member recruitment materials

  • Support marketing for events and publications

Possible Member Roles

  • Brand Coordinators

  • Marketing Coordinators

  • Graphic Designers

  • Campaign Planners

Events Team

Purpose:

Plan and execute events that promote The SUN and engage the youth community.

What They Do

  • Organize workshops and panels

  • Coordinate recruitment events

  • Plan tabling events and activities

  • Assist with launch events and celebrations

  • Manage event logistics and volunteers

  • Promote event participation

Possible Member Roles

  • Event Coordinators

  • Logistics Managers

  • Volunteer Coordinators

  • Event Promotions Assistants

Outreach & Partnerships Team

Purpose:

Build relationships with organizations, individuals, and businesses to expand The SUN's reach and opportunities.

What They Do

  • Reach out to potential collaborators

  • Coordinate partnerships with student organizations

  • Connect with company departments

  • Recruit guest writers and contributors

  • Seek sponsorships and promotional opportunities

  • Represent The SUN at networking events

Possible Member Roles

  • Outreach Coordinators

  • Partnership Managers

  • Sponsorship Coordinators

  • Campus Relations Representatives

Technology Team

Purpose:

Maintain The SUN's digital platforms and technical resources.

What They Do

  • Manage email systems and new chapter materials

  • Organize digital archives

  • Support digital tools and software

  • Improve website functionality and accessibility

  • Assist with technical troubleshooting

Possible Member Roles

  • Website Managers

  • Technology Coordinators

  • Newsletter Managers

  • Digital Systems Assistants

Management & Communications Team

Purpose:

Keep The SUN organized by coordinating internal operations, communicating updates, and ensuring projects stay on track.

What They Do

  • Send weekly updates and announcements

  • Coordinate communication between teams

  • Track deadlines and project progress

  • Manage calendars and schedules

  • Organize shared documents and workspaces

  • Support Executive Board planning and logistics

  • Ensure teams remain informed and accountable

Possible Member Roles

  • Operations Coordinators

  • Communications Coordinators

  • Administrative Assistants

Did You Know?

Almost 6,500 teens, ranged from age thirteen to seventeen, have reached out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline in just the past year alone.

Eleven school shootings have already occurred in the U.S. since January 01st, 2025.

  • 42 students, teachers, and staff have been injured

  • Appalachee High School in Georgia

  • Evergreen Hope High School in Denver (September 10)

             - Twenty miles away from the infamous Columbine High                                                       School shooting (1999), one of the deadliest school                                                                         shootings in American history

  • Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis (August 27)

  • North Little Rock High School in Arkansas (September 12)

  • SouthWest Edgecombe High School in North Carolina (September 12)

  • Thurston High School in Michigan (May 07)

  • Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Texas (April 15)

  • Lakeland Elementary School in Washington (April 08)

  • Pasadena Memorial High School in Texas (February 01)

  • Antioch High School in Tennessee (January 22)

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Antidepressant prescriptions for teens have risen 64% faster — and 130% faster for teen girls.​​

  • Clinically significant anxiety and depression are life-impairing, holding the same medical weightage as asthma or diabetes​

  • These medications block the recycling of serotonin in your brain, unaturally affecting how your brain regulates emotions

  • Severe side effects include suicidal thoughts, psychosis, seizures, agitation, and hyponatremia (a dangerous drop in blood sodium levels)

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2.2 million people aged twelve to seventeen had a Substance Use Disorder in the past year.

  • ​In 2023, 1.86 million adolescents aged 12 to 17, or 7.2% of teens nationwide, reported using drugs in the last month

  • Among teens who reported using drugs in the last month, 83.9% report using marijuana during that same period

  • 442,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old used an illicit drug other than marijuana in the last month

  • 5.4% of 8th graders have used illicit drugs in the last 30 days

  • 15.1% of 8th graders have tried illicit drugs at least once

  • By the time they are in 12th grade, 36.8% of teens have tried illicit drugs

  • 8.90 million 18- to 25-year-olds used drugs in the last month

  • 5,926 Americans aged 15 to 24 years old died of an overdose of illicit drugs in 2023

  • 5.67% of overdose deaths start from individuals aged 15 years

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4 in 10 American high school students report prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 2 in 10 seriously consider suicide.

  • A significant portion of teens experiencing prolonged sadness or suicidal thoughts do not receive mental health treatment

  • Rates of prolonged sadness and suicidal thoughts have increased over the past decade

  • Many high school students who seriously consider suicide do not tell anyone about their thoughts

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Youth under the age of 16 accounted for 54% of all cases processed in juvenile court in 2022.

  • Youth in the juvenile court system often lack access to consistent support networks, like mentors, counselors, or safe spaces

  • A significant number of these youth struggle with academic challenges, truancy, or dropping out of school

  • A large portion of youth entering juvenile court deal with life circumstances beyond their control, such as poverty, family conflict, or exposure to violence

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69% of adolescents aged 13-19 said they felt alone in the last fortnight and 59% feel they have no one to talk to.

  • Peer interaction becomes increasingly important during adolescence; adolescents spend more time with peers than with family and are highly influenced by peer approval or rejection.

  • Strong peer relationships support mental health and resilience, whereas peer rejection, bullying, and loneliness increase risk for depression and other mental health issues

  • Social deprivation during adolescence can have lasting effects on brain and behavior

  • Chronic isolation can impair cognitive flexibility, learning, and attention

  • Isolation during adolescence produces stronger effects than isolation at other life stages

  • Many adolescents use digital technologies and social media for social connection

  • Face-to-face peer interaction is critical during adolescence

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