I heard about the Youth Advisory Council through the involvement of both my sisters. I am interested in joining because I believe it is a great organization which would help me better understand and serve our youth and community. Specific qualities that I would bring to the council are that I am engaging and understanding, I respect and consider all points of view, and differentiate between what is good and bad for Marshalls youth. These qualities would benefit YAC's decision making and trust in the council.

Community Service is an opportunity to elevate and improve the places and lives of those around me. In order to build a better world and society, devoting time to helping our community is necessary. Participating in community service projects has built camaraderie and bonds with my friends and teammates. Community service has helped me be more appreciative of the blessings in my life.

Mental health among teens has rapidly become a dramatic problem due to instances such as the COVID lockdown, bullying, peer pressure, academic pressure, and much more. I believe mental health issues cab be minimized by society and can be labeled as an excuse. We fail to seek understanding of what an individual's brain can genuinely be going through instead of respecting the idea that people struggle. "Mental health" has a broad spectrum and trying to choose one solution to address the importance of the problem would be impossible. However, to focus on this problem in our community we could begin by providing more resources. For example, additional counselors in the school specifically trained to work with students' problems and stressors. Understanding that people can have trouble admitting to mental health issues, creating peer groups where kids can learn and share difficulties may also lead to solutions. Surrounding people with different types of groups can lead to a better chance someone gains the courage to get help. Different coping mechanisms should also be available to students throughout the day. This would include things such as stress balls, time to journal, techniques to calm nerves, and more. Mental health awareness needs to be better promoted so that kids understand that they are not alone and that help can come in different ways.

My commitment to YAC would be prioritized by letting my other possible interfering extra-curricular activities know that YAC is a priority and that there are events I will need to miss for YAC. Knowing YAC would be a priority, I would put in my best effort to make great choices for the council. The extra-curricular activities that may possibly interfere are football, basketball, and youth group.

No.