On Friday, September 17th, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services (GOCCP) announced the appointment of 23 young adults to the Maryland Youth Advisory Council.
The Council has members from across 10 jurisdictions who were appointed by Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President William C. Ferguson IV, and Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adrienne Jones. Nominations also came from the “Maryland Association of Student Councils, the University System of Maryland Student Council, Maryland Higher Education Commission Student Advisory Council, and the Association of Local Management Boards.”
Council members are charged with providing “legislative recommendations, spreading public awareness of youth policy issues, and serving as a liaison between young people in Maryland and policymakers in their communities.”
“Our youth are our future, and it’s important for them to know that their voice is important,” said Glenn Fueston, the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. “The council gives young people in Maryland a seat at the table in the legislative process and provides an outlet to share their unique perspective on public policy.”
According to GOCCP’s press release, for 2021-2022, the following youth will serve on the Council:
- Melany Benites, Clinton, Oxon Hill High School
- Ricky Bridges, Reisterstown, Franklin High School
- Shelbi Briggs, Federalsburg, Colonel Richardson High School
- Meghna Chandrasekaran, Owings Mills, University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Elijah Cockey, Tyaskin, Homeschooled
- Issac Colbert, Annapolis, Anne Arundel Community College
- Samuel Desai, Potomac, Richard Montgomery High School
- Maja Durkovic, Baltimore, Eastern Technical High School
- Dhruv Girish, Urbana, Urbana High School
- Henry Meiser, Solomons, St. Mary’s Ryken High School
- Rosalind Marfo, Reisterstown, University of Maryland
- Shreeyam Mishra, Abingdon, Harford Community College
- Derek Mu, Rockville, Montgomery Blair High School
- James Mu, Rockville, Thomas S. Wootton High School
- Marie-Clare Ofoegbu, Falling Waters, WV, Stevenson University
- Jason Park, Timonium, Gilman School
- Lauren Raskin, Brookeville, Poolesville High School
- Sumiya Rahaman, Westminster, Westminster High School
- Emily Shrieves, Lusby, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Jayden Shiflett, Glen Burnie, Old Mill High School
- Hailey Smith, Bowie, Bowie High School
- Salvatore Suarez, Reno, NV, Goucher College
- Yashita Thalla, Frederick, Urbana High School