Youth Advisory Board

“I am involved in many extracurricular activities such as speech, one act, FBLA, track, etc.; however, YAB has made one of the biggest positive impacts on me. In junior high, I was very timid and had a very low self-esteem. My dad died when I was fourteen which shook my world; however, this pulled me out of the slump I was in by making me realize that there are more important things in life than being a moody, pessimistic kid. My dad was very personable, humorous, and kind. I wanted to continue his legacy by working to help others and brighten up people’s days like him. I started focusing on my mental health more and started trying to get better. When I joined Youth Advisory Board, I was still terrified of meeting new people and making new connections, but I slowly started opening up. I wanted to make an impact like my dad and felt YAB was a good way to start. As I shared more of my ideas and worked on different projects, my confidence grew. I realized I want to meet new people, and I want to advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves. I want to help the people who suffered like I did when I was twelve, thirteen, and fourteen. Today, I feel more confident speaking to others, standing up for things I believe in, and sharing my ideas.” Abby Lewandowski, Ravenna High School, YAB Member