Staff Reports
The local Council for Youth Development has named 20 students as Youth Ambassadors, a program designed to develop their leadership skills, talents and provide an opportunity to use their voices for civic engagement and personal growth.
More than 40 young people applied for the program, and 20 in grades 10 to 12, representing all school districts, were chosen as Youth Ambassadors for the 2021-2022 school year.
“We are so excited to be able to meet in person this year,” said Sara Donathen-Smith, Youth Empowerment Program coordinator. “We are looking forward to creating a supportive cohort who will use their unique talents, ideas and actions to impact youth in our county.”
Earlier this year, the council received generous multi-year funding from the Mark and Wendy Elwood Foundation, allowing expansion of youth empowerment programming, organizers said.
“We were able to increase our program capacity and hire our Youth Empowerment Coordinator, who will be leading our Youth Empowerment Program,” said Heather Carson, council director.
The program will incorporate Wymans’ evidence-based Teen Outreach Program this year, Carson said. “And we will continue to prioritize providing Asset Building opportunities by incorporating service-learning initiatives aligned with a selection of United Nations Sustainable Development Golas through Youth Service America,” she said.
During 2021-2022, Youth Ambassadors will participate in peer group meetings, complete a minimum of 12 lessons of the Teen Outreach curriculum and complete 20 hours of community service learning.
Among the community engagement opportunities for the coming year will be writing inspirational messages on Shine On postcards in celebration of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, collaborating with “Next Gen Day” with Exhibit Columbus on Aug. 28, participating in “Ignite Your Spark” during Spark Spirit Week Sept. 7-10, participating in Youth Empowerment Summit in February and leading projects for Global Youth Service Day in April and May of 2022.
Selected for the program are:
Haylee Cain, grade 11
Jose Castaneda, grade 12
Bryce Fischer, grade 10
Madelynn Garrett, grade 11
Valeria Gomez, grade 10
Owen Hebert, grade 11
Layne Hoefllinger, grade 10
Mallory Kaiser, grade 10
Ashley Lara, grade 12
Lillian Mackey, grade 12
Kirsten Meister, grade 12
Macey Mudd, grade 10
Delaney Roxbury, grade 12
Zacaria Scruggs, grade 12
Caitlyn Smith, grade 11
Kayla Smitley, grade 11
Vibha Srinivasan, grade 12
Brynn Stewart, grade 10
Lilla Stidam, grade 12
Emery Todd, grade 12
