While high school might not look the same this year, our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) officers are ready to lead the way in helping improve the lives of their peers through philanthropy.
In selecting officers for the 2020-21 school year, YAC members were intentional about making sure they had representation that covered the high schools across the county as much as possible. YAC President Zack Kerhoulas explained "With officers from different backgrounds, we are able to have unique perspectives on our leadership team. These new sets of eyes will lead to bigger and better ideas for the future of YAC.” This deliberate approach resulted in the election of six officers from a total of five different schools.
The officers are preparing to help guide the council in awarding grants to address the three YAC priorities: mental health, school life, and positive lifestyles. These young leaders will be presented with significant challenges and opportunities in these areas this fall, as they deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting stress and uncertainty facing local youth.
Eager to take on that assignment are these elected YAC Officers for 2020-21:
In selecting officers for the 2020-21 school year, YAC members were intentional about making sure they had representation that covered the high schools across the county as much as possible. YAC President Zack Kerhoulas explained "With officers from different backgrounds, we are able to have unique perspectives on our leadership team. These new sets of eyes will lead to bigger and better ideas for the future of YAC.” This deliberate approach resulted in the election of six officers from a total of five different schools.
The officers are preparing to help guide the council in awarding grants to address the three YAC priorities: mental health, school life, and positive lifestyles. These young leaders will be presented with significant challenges and opportunities in these areas this fall, as they deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting stress and uncertainty facing local youth.
Eager to take on that assignment are these elected YAC Officers for 2020-21:
President- Zak Kerhoulas, Port Huron Northern Senior
“I am very excited for the upcoming year of YAC! As president, I’m looking forward to leading the organization through another amazing year of philanthropy and community engagement. So far I have already seen the many benefits of working with YAC, which include new connections with fellow community members and invitations to events that I would have otherwise not known of. But the greatest benefit that I’ve seen from YAC on my future is the importance of recognizing your privilege and using that privilege to give back to your community, which is what we as a YAC strive to do every day.”
Vice President (2022 President Elect)- Avery Allen, Port Huron High Junior
“I joined YAC as a way to get more involved with my community. To me YAC means stepping up and being a part of something bigger than myself, it means being a leader. Now I look forward to every meeting. This year, as an incoming officer, I am excited and eager to be a leader. I am looking forward to being more involved and having a bigger presence in the community. I feel that being an officer will help me embrace more responsibilities and be able to face more challenges. In the future I hope to pursue a job that requires a lot of dedication and hard work. Being a YAC officer will prepare me for this.”
Treasurer- Katie Touma, Port Huron Northern Senior
“I feel as if this year will be the most memorable for me. For my last year in YAC, I am most looking forward to sharing my love of helping the community with the incoming freshman and next year’s applicants. Being in YAC has set me up to be the best possible version of myself. I have found my passion and cannot wait to continue giving back through various organizations in college. Being an Officer has improved upon my leadership skills. I will take this with me as I continue giving back wherever the next chapter of my journey may take me.”
Secretary- Tara VanBuskirk, Marine City High School Sophomore
“I'm really excited to be an officer, and I'm looking forward to being a leader for the group. Being a YAC officer will give me experience and leadership skills that I can use for my future career, which is hopefully to be the president of the US.”
Member at Large- Rachel Green, Marysville High School Senior
"I joined YAC because it was something that I had never done before and was interested in the process of grant making and meeting new people. YAC has helped me to step out of my comfort zone immensely. I have expanded my knowledge of a unique topic that I would never have had the opportunity to learn without YAC!"
Member at Large- Derek Distelrath, St. Clair High School Junior
“Being a YAC member and an officer is important to my future because it provides experience in a leadership role in my community and among my peers. Learning how to coordinate groups, facilitate discussion, develop a vision, and communicate effectively are essential skills of leaders, and my role as a YAC officer will allow me to grow in these areas. YAC is important to me because it's an organization that directly affects the lives of children and teens in St. Clair County. As a member of YAC, it is rewarding and inspiring to learn about and award grant money to groups that create experiences and provide services to enhance the lives of young people in the Blue Water Area.”