Skip to Main Content High Contrast Mode: Off
Search Search

News & Stories

A group of senior headshots of four of our YAC graduating students

Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) brings together high school students from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties to lead and make a real impact as grantmakers.

We’re so proud of everything our YAC members accomplished this year—and we want to give a special congratulations to our amazing graduating seniors!

Together, they awarded a total of $105,000 to 31 nonprofits across the region last fall, helping support programs that make a difference for local youth.

Now, our YAC grads are heading off to exciting new chapters—take a look at what they’re up to next!

  • Kira Adams

    picture of Kira AdamsName: Kira Adams

    Years of YAC Service: 3 (includes 1 year on Leadership Team)

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend the University of Michigan  

    How YAC Impacted Me: Seeing the impact we can make on the community and people in need has been life changing.  

  • Lily Alvarado

    picture of Lily AlvaradoName: Lily Alvarado

    Years of YAC Service: 2

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Michigan State for political science-prelaw

    How YAC Impacted Me: It made me realize that I want to help others and my community in my career.

  • Jonah Arbuckle

    picture of Jonah ArbuckleName: Jonah Arbuckle

    Years of YAC Service: 

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Michigan Technological University to study chemical engineering

    How YAC Impacted Me: YAC opened my eyes to what’s actually happening in the community around me. Made me realize how many parts of the community are underserved. 

  • Alexa Bageris

    picture of Alexa BagerisName: Alexa Bageris

    Years of YAC Service: 

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans:  Attend Michigan State University to study Elementary Education

    How YAC Impacted Me: I loved getting to further my knowledge on my community and learn about different organizations. 

  • Emerie Burda

    picture of Emerie BurdaName: Emerie Burda

    Years of YAC Service: 2

    County: Leelanau

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Arizona State University to major in criminology and criminal justice 

    How YAC Impacted Me: I was able to be part of my community and help learn about nonprofits. It allowed me to understand what people are trying to do and how they help better our community. 

  • Liam Donnell

    picture of Liam DonnellName: Liam Donnell

    Years of YAC Service: 2

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend the University of Michigan to major in political science and double minor in statistics and finance

    How YAC Impacted Me: Being a part of YAC allowed me to enhance my ability to communicate with a variety of personalities, grow my leadership skills, and to give back to my community. Each of these have built me into a better person and made me more prepared for my future.

  • Isabella Essenberg

    picture of Isabella EssenbergName: Isabella Essenberg

    Years of YAC Service:  3

    County: Antrim

    Post-Grad Plans:  Attend Ferris State University to study Social Work

    How YAC Impacted Me: Understanding that there is a financial need in our area and how awarding the applicants can impact and make a positive change for them. 

  • Isla Falconer

    picture of Isla FalconerName: Isla Falconer

    Years of YAC Service: 2 (includes 1 year on Leadership Team)

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend New York University to pursue music!

    How YAC Impacted Me: Being in YAC allowed me a look into my community that I had never had before. Being able to recognize all of the people out there that needed help and all the organizations that are working to support us was truly amazing. 

  • Nola Fedderman

    picture of Nola FeddermanName: Nola Fedderman

    Years of YAC Service: 1

    County: Leelanau

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend the University of Michigan with the goal of becoming an officer in the U.S Navy

    How YAC Impacted Me: I loved working with a group of inspired students to make our county/region a better place!

  • Kyley Fuller

    picture of Kyley FullerName: Kyley Fuller

    Years of YAC Service: 3

    County: Antrim

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Michigan State University to major in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice

    How YAC Impacted Me: Being part of YAC was a meaningful experience. I helped decide where grant money went and got to see the real impact it had on the community. It felt great to know that the funding we provided made a difference, and it showed me how important youth voices are in creating change.

  • Calista Hoeksema

    picture of Calista HoeksemaName: Calista Hoeksema

    Years of YAC Service:  3 (includes 2 years on Leadership Team)

    County: Antrim

    Post-Grad Plans:  Attend Saginaw Valley State University to pursue a degree in Secondary Education for English. 

    How YAC Impacted Me: YAC has helped me become more confident with public speaking, and it has given me opportunities for leadership and helping my community.

  • Ella Knudsen

    picture of Ella KnudsenName: Ella Knudsen

    Years of YAC Service: 3 (includes 2 years on Leadership Team)

    County: Leelanau

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Hope College to double major in Kinesiology and Psychology

    How YAC Impacted Me: It has impacted me because I have seen the impact that giving back to the community has had and it has inspired me to give back in multiple ways. When we are able to give back to people in our community everyone benefits and YAC is an introduction to that in allowing students to be a part of the process of giving.  

  • Aubrey Manchester

    picture of Aubrey ManchesterName: Aubrey Manchester

    Years of YAC Service: 3 (includes 2 years on Leadership Team)

    County: Kalkaska

    Post-Grad Plans:  Attend Saginaw Valley State University to study pre-physical therapy

    How YAC Impacted Me: Being a part of YAC has taught me the importance of philanthropy in our community and being a student leader. I have truly learned so much being in an amazing organization. 

  • Kate May

    picture of Kate MayName: Kate May

    Years of YAC Service: 1

    County: Benzie

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Hope College to pole vault and study accounting

    How YAC Impacted Me: I loved helping others and our community. It was so cool to be able to give to these wonderful organizations and help people in need. 

  • Sophie McLaren

    picture of Sophie McLarenName: Sophie McLaren

    Years of YAC Service: 1

    County: Benzie

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend the University of Michigan, pursuing a degree in social sciences

    How YAC Impacted Me: It helped me understand the grant writing and evaluation process, as well as how nonprofits collaborate.

  • Julia Michalowski

    picture of Julia MichalowskiName: Julia Michalowski

    Years of YAC Service: 3 (including 2 years on Leadership Team)

    County: Benzie

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Wayne State University and double major in Law and Political Science.

    How YAC Impacted Me: It has given me a whole new perspective on philanthropy in my community.

  • Natalie Moore

    picture of Natalie MooreName: Natalie Moore

    Years of YAC Service: 3 (includes 1 year on Leadership Team)

    County: Kalkaska

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Purdue University to dual major in Actuarial Science and Statistics

    How YAC Impacted Me: YAC taught me the importance of always giving back to my community in order to support others and strengthen our county. YAC gave me a platform to be an advocate, an experience I will never forget. 

  • Honorae Shore

    picture of Honorae ShoreName: Honorae Shore

    Years of YAC Service: 2

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend MSU at the James Madison College to study Political Science and pre-law with a minor in public policy and international relations

    How YAC Impacted Me: YAC gave me different perspectives on the community and also helped me develop my time management skills. 

  • Cameron Snyder

    picture of Cameron SnyderName: Cameron Snyder

    Years of YAC Service: 3 (includes 1 year on Leadership Team)

    County: Antrim

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend the University of Michigan to study Sports Management

    How YAC Impacted Me: Not only was I helping my community, but it gave me the ability to get out of my comfort zone and meet so many awesome people. 

  • Jack Sperry

    picture of Jack SperryName: Jack Sperry

    Years of YAC Service: 2 (includes 1 year on Leadership Team)

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Michigan State University

    How YAC Impacted Me: Being a part of YAC revealed the struggles of the community and how to help.

  • Julia Sundstrom

    picture of Julia SundstromName: Julia Sundstrom

    Years of YAC Service: 3

    County: Antrim

    Post-Grad Plans: After graduation I will go to basic training for the National Guard in the fall

    How YAC Impacted Me: Being a part of YAC impacted me by showing me how important youth involvement in the community is. 

  • Brooklyn Swenson

    picture of Brooklyn SwensonName: Brooklyn Swenson 

    Years of YAC Service: 1

    County: Antrim

    Post-Grad Plans:  Attend Ferris State University to study dental hygiene 

    How YAC Impacted Me: Being part of a Youth Advisory Council empowered me to use my voice to influence positive change in my community. It has helped me grow as a confident leader while connecting with others who share my passion for making a difference.

  • Mara Van Wagner

    picture of Mara Van WagnerName: Mara Van Wagner

    Years of YAC Service: 2

    County: Grand Traverse

    Post-Grad Plans: Attend Ferris State University to study Digital Arts and Design

    How YAC Impacted Me: Being a part of YAC gave me opportunities to serve my community and be a part of something that makes a difference.

Our other recently graduated YAC seniors include: London Birgy, Ian Boss, Maren Byrne, Nolan Clouse, Thomas Edwards, Annabelle England, Samuel Fitzgerald, Juliette Hyde, Grace Koscielski, Elizabeth Lints, Cady Madion, Keenan Ryan, Ellie Stewart, Raegan Sutton, Bri VanSteenhouse