Meet the 2019-2020 Youth Advisory Board!
We are thrilled to announce the new members of our 2019-2020 Youth Advisory Board (YAB). The board represents a diverse group of young people who will work with Making Caring Common (MCC) to make schools and communities more just, caring, and respectful places.
As part of the YAB, students will work together to help address some of the most pressing ethical and moral issues facing young people today. Board members will provide feedback on MCC strategies and initiatives and share their perspectives on current events and issues in the media. They will also implement year-long projects to develop their leadership skills and cultivate a culture of kindness in their schools and communities.
The 25 members of the 2019-2020 Youth Advisory Board were selected from over 150 qualified candidates in grades 9-12. The YAB represents 12 states across the country as well as a range of backgrounds and identities. This year’s members are united by their strong commitment to empathy and promoting MCC’s mission of raising kids who care about others and the common good. We encourage you to meet our new members below!
Alexis C.
Hometown: Fayetteville, Georgia
Why YAB? I want to empower my community with kindness and compassion.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I am an ambivert. Most people think I’m an introvert but I find that I’m more in the middle than anything.
Anika R.
Hometown: Duncan, South Carolina
Why YAB? A platform to express kindness and make an impact.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I come from one of the world's largest families of doctors.
Aqil M.
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Why YAB? To play an active role in cultivating diverse tight-knit communities.
What I would do if I had a free afternoon is... Play flag-football with my friends and explore famous restaurants in Atlanta.
Ashley L.
Hometown: Camas, Washington
Why YAB? Intentional kindness brings people together.
Something that reminds me of home is... Hot chocolate.
Asmi M.
Hometown: Pleasanton, California
Why YAB? Because caring isn't common yet.
Something most people don’t know about me is… Even though I managed to kill a cactus, I won 1st place in a lettuce-growing competition.
Carrie R.
Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts
Why YAB? Change by and for young people improves the world.
What I would do if I had a free afternoon is… I would sit and talk to a friend who I hadn't seen in a while about anything and everything.
Dawn R.
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Why YAB? Youth who care about the world make my heart happy.
Something most people don't know about me is… I used to want to be an astronaut. This was until I went to Disney World for the first time and could not stomach a rollercoaster. My dream quickly died as I realized that if I ever were on a space mission, I’d probably pass out during take-off.
Elisa B.
Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland
Why YAB? I'd rather make a difference in my community instead of sitting back and waiting for someone else to do it.
Something that reminds me of home is... My cat Jimi.
Hananeel M.
Hometown: Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Why YAB? We have enough power to spread good as those who wish to spread hate.
Something that reminds me of home is… The smell of Haitian food.
Ian M.
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Why YAB? To inspire youth to make positive changes in their community.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I’m really interested in meteorology and sometimes I make the weather slides or do the closed captioning at our local TV station.
Ishanvi M.
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland.
Why YAB? Joining a community to create opportunities that were unavailable to me or my peers.
Something most people don’t know about me is… My last name means “wind blowing through the sandalwood forest” in Sanskrit!
Jeana F.
Hometown: Wayne, New Jersey
Why YAB? I want to break apathy and foster intentional kindness.
Something most people don't know about me is... I can speak four languages (English, Korean, Russian, Spanish).
Kayla H.
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Why YAB? To advance education by creating kind and accepting environments.
Something that reminds me of home is… My very old, very green car.
Kyle V.
Hometown: Anaheim, California
Why YAB? To promote kindness, caring, and encourage young leaders in communities.
What I would do if I had a free afternoon is... Watch the Lakers!
Lyle B.
Hometown: Larkspur, California
Why YAB? Over time, small moments of compassion can change people’s lives.
What I would do if I had a free afternoon is… Write letters and send photographs to my grandparents.
Manasvi L.
Hometown: Cupertino, California
Why YAB? The world simply needs more love and kindness than hate.
Something that reminds me of home is… My dog Magic.
Matt T.
Hometown: Burlington, Massachusetts
Why YAB? Youth possess a commitment to foster hope and initiate action.
Something most people don't know about me is… I have been to every continent except for Antarctica, which is next up on my bucket list!
Maya D.
Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts
Why YAB? I want to better my school and city.
Something that reminds me of home is... Ethiopian coffee. (It's a specially-cooked coffee that my grandma makes. She roasts the beans herself and it's incredibly delicious.)
Noa A.
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Why YAB? To promote a norm of kindness and compassion towards one another.
What I would do if I had a free afternoon is... Go on a picnic with my friends and do crafts!
Rushee S.
Hometown: Gainesville, Florida
Why YAB? Connect with more people across the country for real change.
Something that reminds me of home is... Any place that’s hot and humid — or feels like Florida.
Saffron A.
Hometown: Andover, Massachusetts
Why YAB? Compassion seems like the first step towards enacting social change.
What I would do if I had a free afternoon is... Bake banana bread for my family.
Sam S.
Hometown: Lincolnshire, Illinois
Why YAB? I want to make the world a better place.
What I would do if I had a free afternoon is… Read everything in the library.
Sarina K.
Hometown: San Diego, California
Why YAB? To promote the values of inclusion, compassion, and kindness our society needs.
Something that reminds me of home is... The sparkling ocean water and perfect weather only Southern California could have!
Shang W.
Hometown: Denton, Texas
Why YAB? I hope to make schools more inclusive for children/teens.
What I would do if I had a free afternoon is… Bake muffins and cookies. Especially chocolate ones!
Tarun A.
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Why YAB? To collaborate with others as catalysts for equitable educational outcomes.
Something that reminds me of home is... Hiking the Boulder Flatirons.
