The final piece of the first season of This Brave Nation, the Brave Nation Young Activist Award was designed to celebrate a next generation of progressive activism. Five remarkable finalists were chosen from among more than 350 nominees and the eventual winner–Cristina Lara of Fair Lawn, New Jersey–was selected in an internet poll.

Lara started her own organization, Society of Young Leading Women, which is currently awaiting non profit status. She started and edits an underground newspaper in her high school, called Uncensored while also writing for her local newspaper. On top of that. Cristina joined the Fair Lawn High School’s football team. She lifted weights with the rest of her all-male players, while having to endure the awful stares and criticism. While her coaches tried to undermine her abilities, Cristina made it clear that she is tough by showing up to every practice, and every game.

She’s a feminist, a football player, a writer and a straight-A student and this video shows her receiving the first Brave Nation Activist award from Robert Greenwald and Tom Hayden.