News
YAC graduating seniors
The Youth Advisory Committee celebrated the conclusion of another YAC year with a community service event at Wildfire Dreams Sanctuary in Charlevoix. One of the most meaningful — and bittersweet — parts of this tradition is recognizing our graduating YAC Seniors: Riley Cannon (East Jordan), Sophie McDonough (Beaver Island), Emma Patten (Boyne City), and Benjamin Schultz (Charlevoix). For Riley, Emma, and Benjamin, this journey began more than four years ago when they were selected as incoming freshmen to serve on the YAC. Sophie joined during her sophomore year as Beaver Island’s representative, dedicating herself to the program through countless plane rides and virtual meetings. Throughout their time on the YAC, these seniors have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment. Emma and Benjamin also served on the Executive Committee in several leadership roles, most recently as outgoing President and Vice President.
Over the next month, C3F will be featuring our YAC Seniors on our social media pages through a series of videos celebrating their post-secondary plans and future journeys. These videos will also highlight the YAC Senior Grants - $100 donations made to nonprofits chosen by each senior in honor of their years of service. We hope you’ll stay connected with us and follow along as we celebrate this incredible group of young people.
As the facilitator of YAC, I also have a personal tradition for honoring graduating seniors — one that was first introduced to me while I was an intern working in youth program development. Each year, I select a children’s book whose story or message reflects the journey of that graduating class. Because this group began their YAC journey at the same time I began mine, I chose the book that started this tradition for me years ago: The North Star by Peter Reynolds.
The North Star follows a young character as he navigates many different paths and directions. Along the way, he makes friends, faces obstacles, questions his pace, and wonders where he truly belongs. Ultimately, he learns the value of curiosity, the importance of following his own path, and the power of believing in himself throughout the journey. My hope is that our YAC Seniors carry those lessons with them always — and if they ever need a reminder, they can simply open the pages of a familiar book.
We often end our YAC meetings with a closing reflection, and as we wrap up this year, mine is gratitude. The YAC program is successful because of the many people who make it possible — the parents and guardians, the C3F staff working tirelessly behind the scenes, the young people who continue to show up and lead, and everyone who believes in the power of youth voice and youth decision-making. Thank you for being part of this wonderful journey with me.
YAC seniors and parents/guardian shared their reflections about the YAC program and here is what they had to say:
“In regards to ‘YAC Member’, please know that his experience with C3F has been so impactful. He has talked about and appreciates your guidance and help on top of all the experiences and opportunities you have provided that have helped to shape him into the young man he is today. Without some of these opportunities, I truly believe he would not have some of the interests and even the lens that he sees the world through. You and C3F have helped him in many ways and for that I am thankful.” - YAC parent/guardian
“We are grateful for you work in supporting the students and for the positive impact the program has had on ‘YAC member’. It is so important to maintain this connection and ensure our students have a voice within the Charlevoix (County) community”
- YAC parent/guardian
“I will miss the connections I’ve built in YAC the most. From site visits, to eating lunch together, to carpooling together, some of my favorite memories came from the little moments in between everything else. YAC gave me the chance to meet people I probably never would have crossed paths with otherwise, I’m so grateful I was able to help out in the community with this group of people.”
- Riley Cannon