Meet our 2022-2023 Youth Advisory Board!
We are thrilled to announce the newest members of our Youth Advisory Board (YAB). These young people, hailing from 10 states across the United States, represent a diverse and qualified group of candidates selected from a pool of applicants in grades 9-12.
As members of the YAB, they will work alongside MCC to promote a more caring, just, and respectful society. They will receive support and guidance on expanding their current caring activities in schools with a chance of expanding these initiatives to other schools.
What unites the 33 members of the board is their commitment to MCC's mission to nurture caring and responsible individuals who are dedicated to promoting the common good. We invite you to get to know our new members below and to join us in celebrating their dedication to making a positive impact in the world.
Name: Aastha J.
Goes to school in: Newark, California
Why YAB? YAB is the perfect platform to help amplify youth voices and their perspectives.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I like to watch horror movies, but after watching them I feel scared.
What brings me joy? I do not love when it snows but sledding right after it has stopped brings me joy.
Name: Addison T.
Goes to school in: Racine, Wisconsin
Why YAB? Not to be cheesy but kindness is cool.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I'm backpacking through New Mexico during spring break with a group from school.
What brings me joy? So many things: Being with my friends and family, going to school sporting events, being a student, singing in choir, weightlifting, and sunrises.
Name: Adithi K.
Goes to school in: Frisco, Texas
Why YAB? I am passionate about educational equity and making my community more inclusive.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I’m left handed!
What brings me joy? Music. Whether I’m playing the piano, singing with my school’s choir, or just listening to my favorite artists, I find joy in discovering new music.
Name: Ananya T.
Goes to school in: Brentwood, Tennessee
Why YAB? I want to make a difference and empower my community.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I enjoy cooking and baking for my family and friends.
What brings me joy? Spending time with my family and friends.
Name: Anna G.
Goes to school in: Westborough, Massachusetts
Why YAB? I want to make a difference
Something most people don’t know about me is… I like to write.
What brings me joy? I love playing volleyball and shopping
Name: Aspen J.
Goes to school in: Brookline, Massachusetts
Why YAB? I want to help make the world a kinder place.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I love reading and writing poetry.
What brings me joy? Volunteering at the Unity Farm Animal Sanctuary.
Name: Atara L.
Goes to school in: New Canaan, Connecticut
Why YAB? I’m dedicated to making the world a kinder place.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I can speak (ish) four languages.
What brings me joy? Eating good food.
Name: Beth P.
Goes to school in: Somerset, New Jersey
What brings me joy? Writing, just losing myself in the words while worlds spawn from within the crevices and caverns of my mind.
Name: Brandonn C.
Goes to school in: La Cañada Flintridge, California
Why YAB? YAB's commitment to collaborative inquiry and problem-solving.
Something most people don’t know about me is… The first book I ever read was the 1995 Thomas Guide—and I've loved maps ever since.
What brings me joy? My family and friends!
Name: Carlotta G.
Goes to school in: Boston, Massachusetts
Why YAB? Being part of YAB will amplify my voice and will help bring change to have a more compassionate community.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I taught myself calligraphy!
What brings me joy? Summer dinners outside with my friends and family!
Name: Caroline C.
Goes to school in: Irvine, California
Why YAB? To spread the word of kindness and share personal stories.
Something most people don’t know about me is… Something that most people don't know about me is that I snowboard!
What brings me joy: Spending time with my family, hanging out with friends, or baking at home!
Name: Christine X.
Goes to school in: Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Why YAB? I want to contribute to creating the best learning environment.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I have baked macarons until 4am before.
What brings me joy: Going out to eat with close friends, baking, runner's high
Name: Claire P.
Goes to school in: West Hartford, Connecticut
Why YAB? To reduce gender bias in school communities.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I can play the piano.
What brings me joy: Spending time with my cross country teammates.
Name: Curran D.
Goes to school in: West Hartford, Connecticut
Why YAB? To be a part of making the world more caring.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I love the outdoors.
What brings me joy? Playing with my dog.
Name: Donella N.
Goes to school in: Gilroy, California
Why YAB? I want to be the change I wish to see.
Something most people don’t know about me is… Something most people don't know about me is that I'm allergic to pumpkin. This means, yes, I can still make jack-o-lanterns, but no, I've never had pumpkin pie.
What brings me joy? My family and my dog, Femi, bring me joy. I would honestly be nothing without them.
Name: Donna N.
Goes to school in: Aliso Viejo, California
Why YAB? I aim to teach my peers the skill of kindness!
Something most people don’t know about me is… I am very interested in neuroscience. More specifically, learning about how to utilize the brain's chemistry to approach life in a way that is most fulfilling.
Name: Elise B.
Goes to school in: Winnetka, Illinois
Why YAB? To help others understand the value of compassion.
Something most people don’t know about me is… For a period of my life I grew up in Hong Kong.
What brings me joy: Singing on the boat while sailing!
Name: Emelia Y.
Goes to school in: Andover, Massachusetts
Why YAB? Create a safe space for vulnerability on a broader scale
Something most people don’t know about me is… My favorite thing to do when I visit new places is look through used bookstores.
What brings me joy? Happy tears, laughter, health
Name: Eshaan M.
Goes to school in: Houston, Texas
Why YAB? To cultivate a culture of being well and doing well.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I play an Indian drum called the dhol.
What brings me joy? Watching and listening to anything Bollywood and snacking on chaat, an Indian street food.
Name: Gabrielle S.
Goes to school in: Lake Forest, Illinois
Why YAB? YAB offers students a platform in order to make a better society.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I travelled to Spain summer of junior year.
What brings me joy? I love spending time with friends. Whether that be going to Six Flags or just driving around aimlessly I love spending time with people that make me laugh and care about me as I do them.
Name: Hana H.
Goes to school in: West Hartford, Connecticut
Why YAB? To help everyone be treated with the kindness they deserve.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I journal every night.
What brings me joy? Reading a book with a cup of hot chocolate while it’s raining.
Name: Jonathan O.
Goes to school in: Racine, Wisconsin
Why YAB? I aim to leave a legacy of love.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I love singing and am in the lead in our high school’s musical!
What brings me joy? I absolutely LOVE playing sports. Whether it be soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, or anything in between.
Name: Leslie P.
Goes to school in: Gilroy, California
Why YAB? I want to create a better future for the next generations of students
Something most people don’t know about me is… I'm obsessed with Sudoku and K dramas.
What brings me joy? Going to concerts and playing Roblox.
Name: Lily W.
Goes to school in: Andover, Massachusetts
Why YAB? To help create kinder and more inclusive learning environments!
Something most people don’t know about me is… I create Spotify playlists for almost every occasion!
What brings me joy? Going on a run or walk with friends!
Name: Luqmaan S.
Goes to school in: Burlington, Massachusetts
Why YAB? I aspire to collaborate with others to promote empathy and kindness.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I like brain teasers and puzzles.
What brings me joy? My family and my friends. In addition, the sports I play also bring me joy along with my faith.
Name: Mason S.
Goes to school in: Newton, Massachusetts
Why YAB? Empathy heals the world.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I am a jigsaw puzzle fanatic.
What brings me joy? Spending time with animals, taking walks in nature, making art, rock climbing, and listening to music.
Name: Mia M-W
Goes to school in: Glendale, California
Why YAB? To ensure an equitable access to resources and opportunities for students.
Something most people don’t know about me is… My favorite animal is a rat because they’re absolutely adorable.
What brings me joy? Nature, reading mystery or science books, and attempting to embroider.
Name: Myla L.
Goes to school in: Potomac, Maryland
Why YAB? To promote inclusivity and kindness within all schools.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I started a small business with my best friend in 7th grade, where we sell chicken-based stickers!
What brings me joy? Going on long hikes and watching sunsets.
Name: Natalia P.
Goes to school in: La Cañada Flintridge, California
Why YAB? Dedicated to making change.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I love nature.
What brings me joy? Nature
Name: Neha S.
Goes to school in: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Why YAB? Bringing kindness, empathy, and inclusion to schools across the country.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I run global innovation and empathy workshops and have reached over 70,000 students across the world!
What brings me joy? Running.
Name: Nichelle W.
Goes to school in: Pasadena, California
Why YAB? Meeting new people who want to make a change together.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I'm fluent in Spanish and have family in Mexico.
What brings me joy? Traveling, spending time with friends and family, and eating.
Name: Ruby B.
Goes to school in: La Cañada Flintridge, California
Goes to school in: One of my goals in life is spreading kindness.
Why YAB? I want to prevent kids from going through what I experienced in school.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I enjoy painting.
What brings me joy? My family. Especially my dog.
Name: Sasha B.
Goes to school in: Newton, Massachusetts
Why YAB? I want to make the world a more accepting place.
Something most people don’t know about me is… I’ve been playing tennis since I was 8.
What brings me joy? I love to draw and create art.
