The school year’s just begun, but the 2017-18 Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is already in full swing. Six new members joined 14 returning members, and they represent Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Western Michigan Christian High Schools. YAC members meet during the school year to discuss and assess youth issues prevalent in the community, as well as to review grant proposals made to benefit youth in the community.
The group met over the summer for two team-building days, which included a kayaking trip on the Pigeon River. The Outdoor Discovery Center sponsored the trip, providing kayaks for the students and two GHACF team members, as well as three guides, who pointed out animals and fauna along the river.
Grand Haven
Matthew Bays, junior (1st year)
Nick Beers, senior (2nd year)
Ryen Briegel, senior (3rd year)
Christina Byrne, senior (3rd year)
Habeeb El-amir, junior (2nd year)
Logan Naperala, senior (2nd year)
Olivia Perrier, sophomore (1st year)
Maddy Streng, sophomore (1st year)
Ellen Stolarski, junior (2nd year)
Jackson Schulte, sophomore (1st year)
Chloe Weigel, junior (2nd year)
Spring Lake
Coltrane Bodbyl-Mast, junior (1st year)
Ava Hatton, senior (2nd year)
Charlie Parker, junior (2nd year)
Lilly Saunders, senior (2nd year)
Bradley Wilson, senior (3rd year)
Western Michigan Christian
Ben Garretson, sophomore (1st year)
Hanna Klaassen, senior (2nd year)
Thank you, both new and returning members, for all you do for our community! We look forward to seeing what you’ll accomplish for Northwest Ottawa County youth this year.
For more about the Youth Advisory Council, read Christina Byrne’s recent post, What is YAC?, or check out the YAC page.