These young people are taking ownership of their own learning journeys and will build something extraordinary.
The Cole Summers Fellowship was created in 2024, to honor the late Kevin Cooper (whose pen name was Cole Summers) by creating a new generation of innovators and leaders inspired by classical liberalism and the free market philosophy. Kevin was a teen unschooler and entrepreneur who left a lasting legacy with his work and the poignant book, Don’t Tell Me I Can’t, about the power of youth innovation and ingenuity. Kevin’s story shows how unconventional education allows young people to take ownership of their own learning journeys and build something extraordinary. And that’s what the Cole Summers Fellowship represents.
I became the program facilitator for the fellowship in 2025, soon after starting in my role as an Education Associate at FEE. I remember there was discussion about the future of the program, who would lead it, and where we’d find that person. I raised my hand in that meeting and asked, “Why couldn’t it just be me?”
As a homeschool grad myself, I did not grow up during a time in which people were very accepting of unconventional education. There were very few programs available that openly welcomed or catered to homeschoolers and other unconventionally-schooled students. In early adulthood, learning of the Cole Summers Fellowship, even before working at FEE, I was intrigued and excited. If I’d had a program like this at 14 or 16 years old, imagine how much more I could have known and accomplished? A program built by and for unconventionally-educated youth, providing mentorship, networking, and guidance on the essentials of the freedom philosophy, journalism, and entrepreneurship? The opportunity of a lifetime. I knew then, as I know now, that I had to be involved.
By the time 2025 hit, I’d settled into my associate role and launched the second cohort—my first cohort—with three amazing fellows. The program went so well, and as predicted, that we decided to do it again this year. The momentum is growing, and this is why I’m so ecstatic to introduce you to the next cohort of Cole Summers Fellows carrying on the incredible legacy.
Liv B.
Liv is a 14-year-old homeschooler from Maryland. Liv is deeply inspired by the work of literary masters like Maya Angelou. “I would say that Maya Angelou is one of my favorite philosophers because I find many of her poems and quotes to be inspiring and thought-provoking, which are traits I aspire to evoke in my writing,” she said.
Liv says that homeschooling has allowed her to dive into storytelling and get interested in writing and sharing stories. “I believe that not everyone learns things the same, and I’m very grateful to be homeschooled because I feel that it allows me to learn things at my own pace, and to explore topics I’m interested in deeper, without worrying about other stresses that might come from working in a more traditional schooling environment.”
“In the future,” Liv says, “I hope to become a New York Times-bestselling author one day to hopefully make a difference in many lives for the better.” Liv hopes the Cole Summers Fellowship allows her to connect with more young, passionate leaders and hone the skills needed to become an acclaimed literary leader.
“My hope for my writing is to share stories that give a voice to people, issues, and ideas that may be overlooked or that I believe require further exploration,” Liv says.
Sophia P.
Sophia is a 16-year-old homeschooler from Massachusetts who is a passionate writer, “Right now,” Sophia says, “I am currently working on a novel with my friend, and it’s been so fun to watch our writing skills unfold together, helping each other through blocks and writing styles as we try to put together a cozy mystery.”
Sophia is deeply inspired by FEE’s mission to educate current and future generations about the principles of free-market economics. “FEE’s mission is to inspire, educate, and connect future leaders with the economic, ethical, and legal principles of a free society,” Sophia says. “I love how they are pushing for our creativity, and encouraging us to dive into the way that we think about the world, and to share those thoughts, writings, and reasons with others.”
Tinlee H.
Tinlee is a 16-year-old from Arizona, attending Baker Creek Academy, a program run by Denise Lever, a microschool founder and frequent contributor at FEE’s Education Entrepreneurship Lab.
Tinlee applied for this program with big aspirations. “With this opportunity, I hope to expand my knowledge of entrepreneurship, economics, and leadership,” Tinlee says. “I am excited to develop these ideas and to share them with the next generation of liberty-minded leaders that I will get to work with.”
Tinlee too is inspired by FEE’s vision and the philosophy behind the Cole Summers Fellowship: “Being non-traditionally educated, my ideas are not always recognized in my social group. So as I am guided along in the Cole Summers Fellowship I hope to be heard by those in my social group and other important audiences. Participating in the [fellowship] will help me to expand my ideas and empower me to share them with my peers.”
What’s Next
If anyone ever had a doubt about what the future of education will look like, or whether Gen Z and Gen Alpha students will truly have the skills to thrive and lead in a modern world, look no further than these three amazing teens!
I am so excited about our newest cohort of fellows, and I cannot wait to see what they create in the next 10 weeks.
