New Officers Appointed to Youth Advisory Council

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a permanent committee of the Marshall Community Foundation.  Comprised of Marshall-area high school students, YAC members evaluate grant applications concerning youth, and make recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees for funding consideration. In addition, YACkers also participate in numerous community service projects.  YAC members are high school-aged students who live in Marshall, are active members of the community, and are invested in Marshall’s future.

Elliana Ebner (president), Madeline Kue (Vice President), Shannon Barba (Treasurer), Bodil Loonen (Secretary), Addison Powers (Secretary), and Malena Johnson (Secretary) were elected to lead YAC through the 2022-2023 school year.

Ebner, a senior at Marshall High School, has been a member of YAC for one year.  Since joining the organization, she’s taken part in a numerous service projects and has sought out opportunities to develop her leadership skills.  Elliana is involved in many aspects of the Marshall community.  Because of her love for performing arts, Elliana enjoys teaching area youth about choreography and auditioning.  After high school, Ebner hopes to study marine biology and eventually earn a Master’s Degree in marine mammal studies. 

As a junior at Marshall High School, Kue is involved in the swim team, the symphony orchestra, National Honor’s Society, and student council.  Maddie has been an active member of YAC for one year and enjoys having the opportunity to give back to her community.  She enjoys competitive dance, painting, and reading.  Her post high school plans include attending college and pursuing a degree in medicine. 

Though he is just 16 years old, Barba is a junior at Albion College.  Shannon spends his free time reading, playing the piano and guitar, riding his bike, and performing in theatrical productions.  Barba noted, “I like that YAC allows me to have a positive impact on what goes on in Marshall.  I l appreciate being part of this organization because it allows me to meet and spend time with others who are committed to making a difference.”  Shannon plans to attend graduate school to study engineering.

Loonen is a senior at Marshall High School and Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center.  When she’s not volunteering with the Marshall Swim Club, she enjoys traveling, baking, and being with her friends and family. She has been a member of YAC for three years and “appreciates how friendly and involved the YACkers are.”   Bodil plans to attend a 4 year university to study business and marketing.

“I am glad to be part of a group that encourages me to think outside of myself and make a genuine impact on the youth in our area”, notes 12th grade Powers.  Addison attends Marshall High School and Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center.  Aside from playing tennis and golf, she also serves on the National Honors Society and Student Advisory.  Upon graduating from high school, Addison hopes to attend an out-of-state institution, such as Vanderbilt or Emory, to pursue a degree in STEM or optometry. 

Johnson, a junior at Marshall High School, is involved in varsity and club soccer, as well as marching and symphonic band.  Malena has been a member of YAC for one year and in that time has found the service projects to be “especially rewarding and influential.”   She plans to attend college after graduating from high school and study abroad in Italy. 

In addition to the above officers, YAC includes the following members:

Seniors – Kalvin Felix, Natalie Frever, Lindsay Malone

Juniors – Koby Brown, Braden Contat, Hannah Eggelon, Abby Griffith, Mia Kopulos, Amelia Kotas, Jack Minor, Micah Morehouse, Addison Waito

Sophomores – Sade Blackwell, Addyson Groeneveld, Andrew Larson, Elizabeth London, Margaret Rodgers, Bella Rupp,

Freshmen – Audrey Amting, Jackson Graeber, Andrew Root, Aubrey Tarkiewicz

For more information about the Youth Advisory Council, or to make a donation to the Marshall Area Youth Fund, individuals may contact the Marshall Community Foundation at (269) 781-2273, or [email protected], or visit its website at www.marshallcf.org.