CYD names new ambassadors

A group of high school students has been chosen to participate in a program aimed at developing community-oriented leaders.

The Council for Youth Development has selected about 20 Bartholomew County students in grades 10 through 12 as its 2023-24 Youth Ambassadors.

“We are thrilled to welcome seventeen new voices to the cohort,” said Tim Green, Youth Empowerment Program coordinator.

The 2023-24 ambassadors are as follows:

• Brittney Aguilar (senior, CSA New Tech)
• Annabelle Andrus (sophomore, Columbus North)
• Adrianna Bustos (senior, CSA New Tech)
• Bo Crough (senior, Columbus East)
• Lauren Degner (sophomore, Columbus East)
• Eleanor Dickson (sophomore, Columbus East)
• Sara Hobbeheydar (junior, Columbus North)
• Eden Knight (junior, Columbus East)
• Varshika Loganath Siva (junior, Columbus North)
• Brittany Mercado (junior, Columbus North)
• Hannah Michel (senior, Columbus North)
• Sreepadaarchana Munjuluri (senior, Columbus North)
• Jossalin Resendiz (junior, CSA New Tech)
• Emma Stephens (junior, Columbus East)
• Emily Wart (junior, Columbus North)
• Lakshmi Vardhan Yepuri (junior, Columbus North)
• Preetham Yerragudi (senior, Columbus North)

The Youth Ambassador program is designed to “engage a diverse group of teens to develop their leadership skills and unique talents and use their voice for meaningful civic engagement and personal growth.”

The 2022-23 ambassadors completed over 784 hours of community service learning.

“This year’s goal is 800 community service-learning hours,” said Knight. “We are so determined to make a difference and positive change in our community that I think we can manage to serve more in our community.”

During the upcoming school year, ambassadors will participate in peer group meetings, complete at least 12 lessons of Teen Outreach Program curriculum, plan and coordinate the annual Youth Engagement Summit, and design a community-wide youth service project with Youth United: Global Youth Service Day in April 2024.

Other upcoming community engagement opportunities for the group include:

• Aug. 12: Distributing Shine On postcards to celebrate International Youth Day
• Sept. 8-15: Engaging with “Ignite Your Spark” activities during Spark Spirit Week
• Sept. 30: Collaborating and supporting the “Next Gen Day” of Exhibit Columbus

The ambassador program incorporates the Wyman Center’s Teen Outreach Program curriculum, which is focused on social and emotional learning outcomes.

Students will also participate in service-learning initiatives that are aligned with a selection of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through Youth Service America.