Celebrating Our 2022 YAC Graduating Seniors
[Image description: Headshot collage of six of our graduating YAC seniors]
Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) involves local high school students as leaders and grantmakers across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our YAC students throughout this academic year and wish a big congratulations to our graduating seniors!
"Our graduating YAC members have been an integral part to making grants possible to a number of youth-focused causes across our region," said Gina Thornbury, Program and Grants Manager. "They, alongside fellow members, awarded a total of $80,000 to 18 nonprofit partners last fall."
Check out what some of our seniors have planned post-graduation below!
Name: Josephine Baldyga
Years of YAC Service: 2
County: Grand Traverse
Post-Grad Plans: "I plan to attend the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in international studies."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "I most enjoyed learning about the many special organizations around my area as well as being able to further engage with my community."
Name: Issac Hintz
Years of YAC Service: 2
County: Grand Traverse
Post-Grad Plans: "Attending University of Michigan where I plan to major in Economics and minor in Computer Science."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "Going to Michael’s Place after awarding them a grant to see the great impact the grant had on their organization and asking questions."
Name: Tucker Hubbard
Years of YAC Service: 1
County: Benzie
Post-Grad Plans: "Studying Pre-Physical Therapy and playing football at Albion College."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "I enjoyed knowing that I was doing my part to make our community a better place."
Name: Amy Jun
Years of YAC Service: 2
County: Grand Traverse
Post-Grad Plans: "I will be attending the University of Michigan to study political science and business."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "Working with kids my age to make my community a better place."
Name: Audrey Michael
Years of YAC Service: 2
County: Grand Traverse
Post-Grad Plans: "I will be attending Northwestern University in both the Bienen School of Music and the School of Communication. I will be earning two degrees, one in Voice and Opera Performance and the other in Theatre, with a minor in Political Science."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "I enjoyed learning about the organizations that focus on helping the youth in their areas. It meant a lot to me to know that my actions were making a difference in others lives and that the decisions we were making had a direct impact on the area’s youth."
Name: Isabel Niemer
Years of YAC Service: 2
County: Grand Traverse
Post-Grad Plans: "I will be attending Northwestern University to study Psychology and Economics."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "I most enjoyed using my voice to advocate for youth in our area on a large scale."
Name: Ava Provins
Years of YAC Service: 2
County: Grand Traverse
Post-Grad Plans: "To attend Michigan State University to study something political science related."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "Being able to help the different charities in ways I couldn’t have if I wasn’t in YAC."
Name: Cole Robinson
Years of YAC Service: 3
County: Antrim
Post-Grad Plans: "I plan on attending Northern Michigan University and study secondary education."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "I most enjoyed being able to help local groups that provide great services to our community."
Name: Grace Robinson
Years of YAC Service: 3
County: Antrim
Post-Grad Plans: "I plan on attending Northern Michigan University, where I will major in biology with a concentration in ecology."
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "I really enjoyed getting to learn about local charities that are making a difference in my community."
Name: Liesl Stellin
Years of YAC Service: 4
County: Grand Traverse
Post-Grad Plans: "I will be attending the University of Utah and majoring in architecture!"
What I Enjoyed about YAC: "Learning about different organizations and the needs of the community and being able to help youth in the community!"
Our other YAC graduating seniors include: Alexis Cain, Leonard Chown, Sydney Fernandez, Sophia Hagerty, Maria Linck, Lillian Sundstrom, and Raymond Whisler.