20 chosen as Youth Ambassadors

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