Ry De Guzman is a youth advocate from the Philippines that works towards Indigenous rights and art for social justice. Growing up as an Igorot, Ry developed a deep connection to art, specifically dance, not only as a form of expression but as a living embodiment of identity and a tool for social change. He is a member of Wesleyan University’s Class of 2028 as the 2024 Filipino Freeman Asian Scholar, with an expected double major in Dance and Economics and a minor in Global Engagement.He started his journey in civic engagement and social justice at an early age—from teaching Indigenous kids how to read and write, heading a non-profit for voter registration, to establishing an organization that provides academic scholarships to underrepresented youth in the Philippines. Outside of civic engagement, Ry is an experienced social media marketer, holding positions with Wesleyan University, The Wesleyan Argus, and CAUSE Philippines. In his free time, he loves to do all sorts of sports activities, but leans toward sailing and race walking.Combining his indigenous background and his passion for art and social justice, he aims to reshape how the world views performing arts—not just as entertainment but as a powerful tool for social change.Reach out to him at rdeguzmanjr@wesleyan.edu