To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Up to USC held a tabling event outside of Tommy Trojan on Tuesday to educate students about the national debt, along with other student political organizations.
Up to Us is a bipartisan organization that holds a national campus competition to encourage students to educate themselves and their peers about the national debt.
While handing out birthday cake commemorating the event, Izzy del Gaudio, a senior majoring in political science, is the leader of Up to USC. Del Gaudio spoke to students about how the national debt can impact their lives. According to the United States Congress’ Joint Economics Committee, the total national debt is $38.86 trillion as of March 4.
“We’re really excited to educate students on the national debt and what that will mean for them long term, and so that they feel a sense of ownership over their government, and really to look to elected officials to make this a priority on the ballot box,” del Gaudio said.
Each campus team that participates in the competition receives funding from the organization for their campaigns to host events and conduct outreach. The organization scores campaigns on criteria that includes how many students sign the Up to Us pledge and the creativity of the hosted events.
The winner of the competition will receive a $5,000 grand prize, an all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. and access to exclusive internship and funding opportunities.
Del Gaudio said she is trying to foster bipartisan conversation around the national debt on campus.
“It’s not just up to the Democratic Party or the Republican Party to address the national debt,” del Gaudio said. “It’s truly about bringing people together and bringing the parties together to come to a solution so that we see a balanced budget.”
Campus organizations Trojan Democrats and VoteSC also participated in the tabling event.
Kenleonard Oparaji, the director of communications for the Trojan Democrats and a junior majoring in public relations and advertising, said it’s important for Democratic candidates to run on the issue of national debt because of its effect on the general public in the future.
“Most of that debt is actually indebted to us. The government is supposed to pay us,” said Oparaji. “When it comes to wanting to support futures for ourselves… social services that we are entitled to as American citizens, when it comes to Medicare, SNAP and Social Security, these are issues that matter to young voters.”
At the tabling event, Up to USC asked trivia questions related to the national debt, helped students register to vote and offered students to sign a letter to send to their representatives, encouraging them to consider the issue.
Representatives from Up to Us were also guests on the Midas Touch and Chuck Todd podcasts to try to spread their message. The organization has also given presentations to classes and plans to hold a focus group next week for USC students to foster an open dialogue about the national debt.
“It’s not a sexy issue to run on, but people do care about it, especially our generation,” said Sophia Herbert, a member of the Up to USC team and a senior majoring in communication. “It’s simple economics. The debt can’t get larger and larger forever. So we’re trying to… encourage our congressmen and women to actually take this seriously.”
As the 2026 midterm elections approach in November, del Gaudio said she hopes her efforts will encourage students to be informed at the platforms of candidates running for office and their stances on the issue.
“What I really want students to understand is that they can take ownership over their elected officials who they’re voting for…,” del Gaudio said. “I really hope that they engage, because the national debt is really going to affect all of our futures.”
Oparaji said he hopes students will be more motivated to make their voices heard and vote.
“I speak to my friends all the time, and they express a lot of pessimism, not knowing whether or not their vote was going to make a difference,” Oparaji said. “‘Look,’ I tell them, ‘Your vote absolutely makes a difference. That starts by using your power to vote [for] candidates that you feel best represent your interest.’”