I heard about YAC from school and an older friend. I am determined and caring and will put full effort into whatever project, and try to make everyone feel heard along the way.

What community service means to me is giving back to those who need it. I have been impacted by community service through a very inspiring softball coach that helped our team be the best we could be, by donating her time and talent. It was a true commitment and she did it without being paid.

Academic pressure is a youth issue, it is an issue that I personally have struggled and continue to struggle with. I know that many other students in our area and around the world struggle with academic pressure as well. Many students constantly feel overwhelmed and not intelligent enough, causing pressure that can lead to unstable mental health. Steps I would recommend taking to address the concern would be offering tutoring for students who feel the pressure and whose grades might be slipping due to the pressure. Other ideas could be throwing a get together with fun activities for high school students, so that they can be reminded that they need time to rest. YAC could offer a support system to struggling students and help them through the pressure. Spreading awareness to students struggling with academic pressure would be very helpful, just by being there and making a student's feelings heard and validated helps immensely. If none of the previously stated ideas worked, I would then reach out to the students and ask for their input and ideas. Having a voice about their own needs would provide for validation and dialogue between the students and YAC members. YAC could also ask teachers what they feel what would best benefit students struggling with academic pressure.

I would prioritize my commitment by making it an effort to attend meetings and help the community, as well as learning about the needs of the community. I think I can make a difference in the community because I am hard-working and enthusiastic. Dance, softball, volleyball, symphonic orchestra concerts (approximately 3 a year) and piano lessons might interfere with YAC participation. Many of these activities and lessons take place Monday through Friday during the school year. I foresee being able to make many of the Sunday meetings. The only weekend commitments that may interfere for a temporary amount of time would be dance competitions (approx. 3/year in February, March and April) and Nutcracker practices and performances in November.

No