Peyton Barsel founded a non-profit, ACE Aware, after writing and presenting a bill in the 2019 Nevada legislature requiring teachers be trained to identify and support students who have experienced trauma. Peyton subsequently researched and co-wrote a 30-minute trauma-informed training video with the Department of Education, which all Nevada public school employees must watch annually. ACE Aware distributes the video nationally and raises awareness about the prevalence of childhood trauma.

Peyton has volunteered for over 5 years as a counselor for children who’ve lost a parent or sibling as the lead facilitator of children ages 8-12. She is studying History and Public Health at Columbia University to one day enter the field of Education Policy and ensure that every child has the equal opportunity at education they deserve.