Sophomore Sonya Raymakers' last name describes her well.

Since her freshman year, Raymakers has been an enthusiastic activist, making change by educating others about social issues, like discrimination against homosexuals, the Darfur genocide and the injustices of the chocolate industry. "I always want to do the right thing," she said. "I want to make a difference, and not just be another bystander."

According to Raymakers, the key to change is spreading knowledge. "Not only do I respond personally [to injustices], I feel like I'm responsible for telling people about it and initiating their efforts," she said.

Through the Gay Straight Alliance, Raymakers promotes equal treatment of all people. In addition, as an active member of Amnesty International club's Sudan Subcommittee, she advocates against the genocide in Darfur. Through events like the March 1 Darfur Assembly, Raymakers urges students to get involved by signing petitions and contacting the White House.

Raymakers' most personal efforts, however, lie in her actions against unfair labor in the chocolate industry.

Social studies teacher Phil Lyons first inspired Raymakers to take on this issue. In his Contemporary World History class, Lyons tried to make his students more aware of global current events occurring in the world. "I started to introduce lessons that focused on serious current issues," he said. "I wanted to reignite that dormant flame of curiosity."

Discussing the injustices in the African chocolate industry in Lyons' class was the impetus for Raymakers' quest to make greater change. When asked why she chose to focus on the chocolate industry, Raymakers suddenly turns serious. "Everyone eats chocolate, but few know about the exploited people and children who made their chocolate," she said. "Last semester when Mr. Lyons told us about it, I instantly thought this was an issue we could all relate to."

Working by her guiding principle of promoting knowledge, Raymakers created an educational Web site in January called Love Chocolate. The site contains news, facts and ideas to counter the unfair industry and work towards fair labor. According to the site, many of the most popular chocolate manufacturers utilize child and/or low-wage labor in Africa. The extensive list includes numerous brands like Hershey's, Nestle, M&M/Mars, Kraft and Ben & Jerry's.

Love Chocolate suggests writing letters to chocolate manufacturers to complain about their policies. Fair chocolate companies include Global Exchange Chocolate, Teuscher and Green & Black's.

Raymakers also works with sophomore Maev Lowe to create informative brochures about the chocolate industry. They have distributed the brochures at Gunn and throughout Palo Alto. Lowe partially attributes the two's success to Raymakers' strong character. "Sonya is incredibly dedicated, outgoing and kind," Lowe said. "That's one of the reasons why our efforts have been successful so far."

So far, over 400 different users have visited Raymakers' site. Raymakers checks on her site weekly.

"I am really satisfied with what I have accomplished so far," she said. "I don't have an exact direction, but I just want to build up my Web site more over the summer and get more people involved."

Lyons believes Raymakers' dedication and enthusiasm contributes significantly to her success; he admires Raymakers' drive. "Having students like Sonya reminds me why I became a teacher," he said. "She possessed an innate intellectual curiosity, geniune empathy and a work ethic that would make the Puritans blush."

To be one more ray-maker and make your own difference, check out Raymakers' website: www.fairchocolate.org.