MYAC Members

Meet the Council

The 2017-18 Council is composed of 24 members currently representing 12 of 24 counties.

Darius Craig, Chair
Baltimore City
University of Maryland – College Park
Second-Year Member

I decided to join the council to serve as a microphone for the millions of Maryland youth who are impacted by statewide legislation, local policy, and school board decisions. It’s vital that the youth voice is properly taken into account when policy is debated/enacted. For my entire teenage life, I’ve been an advocate for the youth, and I do not plan on quitting it!

Caroline Larkin, Vice Chair
Baltimore County
University of Maryland – College Park
First-Year Member

Nabila Prasetiawan, Secretary
Frederick County
Middletown High School
First-Year Member

Grace Wu, Chair, Legislative Committee
Montgomery County
Richard Montgomery High School
Second-Year Member

So often today, there are heated discussions on issues such as the achievement gap or mental health, but the student voice is often only a limited or even non-existent part of this discussion. I think it’s so important for youth to have a voice on these issues and serve as strong advocates for our futures, and MYAC provides the perfect platform for initiating these conversations.

Emily Dreszer, Chair, Public Awareness Committee
Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel College/University of Maryland – College Park
Second-Year Member

I wanted to join the Maryland Youth Advisory Council to help relieve issues affecting those in my community, specifically the opioid crisis. As a member of the council, I enjoy gaining the diverse input of the group. It is so great that the community and the state’s youth have a voice and those seeking their best interest through the Council and the Governor’s Office for Children.

William Anderson, Parliamentarian
Frederick County
Walkersville High School
Second-Year Member

I first heard of MYAC through the Maryland Association of Student Councils, an organization I am heavily involved in as Treasurer and my appointing body. I am passionate about the student voice and am very interested in public policy, which is what made MYAC stand out to me as a good way to get involved and make a difference for my peers.

Camaren Eure
Baltimore City
Western High School
First-Year Member

Madeline Goldstein
Washington County
Boonsboro High School
Second-Year Member

I am excited to meet kids and legislators from around the state, learn about different communities and how we can come together as a council to discuss problems facing Maryland youth and possible ways to help fix those problems!

Makenna Hakim
Baltimore County
Towson High School
First-Year Member

Amaya Horace
Prince George’s County
Bishop McNamara High School
First-Year Member

I decided to become a member of the Maryland Youth Advisory Council because I want to advise on legislation and become a positive voice enacting change for the benefit of millions of Maryland Youth.

Anton Knight
Baltimore County
Community College of Baltimore City
First-Year Member

Angela Lowry, Historian
Garrett County
Garrett College
First-Year Member

I joined the Maryland Youth Advisory Council in order to give the youth of Western Maryland an active voice on current issues that influence their education and their community. Youth voice is important because it is the youth themselves who know what is best for their own prosperity and success in their educational pursuits and community involvement.

Sydney Neal
Calvert County
Saint Mary’s Ryken
First-Year Member

Vernon Osborne
Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel Community College
Second-Year Member

I wanted to join the Youth Advisory Council to get more knowledge of what I could possibly do to help everyone in the community/county. I wanted to know what Legislative Bills affect me now and what Bills will have an effect on me later in the future. Also, I joined to network with more influential people that are in my county who can help make a difference. I want to help make a difference as a youth now to shape the next generation.

Daniel Osheroff
Howard County
Atholton High School
First-Year Member

Dillon Prochnicki
Talbot County
Easton High School
First-Year Member

Ashley Russell
Howard County
Glenelg High School
Second-Year Member

Taharat Sheikh
Howard County
Marriotts Ridge High School
First-Year Member

Gabrielle Shlikas, Technology Officer
Harford County
Edgewood High School
Second-Year Member

I wanted to join the Maryland Youth Advisory Council because I believe that the voice of youth matters in creating change. Young people are the most versatile, imaginative, and passionate people I know, and I saw the Council as an opportunity to take this point of view to the people that create our laws.  The perspective of youth today is uniquely distinct from the voices of our parents and grandparents, and any opportunity to let that voice be heard is an opportunity I am willing to take. I am very proud to be a member of the Maryland Youth Advisory Council.

Amber Stewart
Howard County
Atholton High School
First-Year Member

Daniel Walker
Howard County
Wilde Lake High School
First-Year Member

Sydney Williams
Anne Arundel County
Indian Creek High School
Second-Year Member

I joined MYAC because this was an excellent opportunity to affect change that will impact youth similar to me and create a better future for both them and myself.