Meet Our National Youth Activation Committee

The National Youth Activation Committee (YAC) is made up of young people from across the country who work together to promote school communities where all young people are agents of change. YAC members provide advice and counsel on strategies designed to reach other youth, engage in and promote Special Olympics activities in their home environments, communicate the initiatives of Special Olympics Project UNIFY, and network with other youth and U.S. Programs on a local, national, and global basis. To learn more about the activities of the National Youth Activation Committee, read the biographies of current members below or view a slideshow of YAC members in action.

2011 – 2012 Youth Activation Committee Members

Rachel Alm
Representing: Special Olympics Hawaii
I am 16 years old and live in Hawaii. I have been involved with Special Olympics for two years and first got involved when a teacher approached me to help with our school’s Special Olympics Sports Day. I joined the National Youth Activation Committee because I love helping people and it seemed like a fun thing to do. Through this program, I hope to connect with other states so we can continue to improve and learn together. I would also like to build the efforts of Special Olympics Project UNIFY in Hawaii. My favorite part of being involved in Project UNIFY has been the people that have I’ve met, I can honestly say that they are the most genuine and kind group I have come across.

Jamie Behymer
Representing: Special Olympics Arizona
I am 15 years old and I represent Arizona on the Special Olympics National Youth Activation Committee. I’ve been involved with Special Olympics for five years, otherwise known as the best five years of my life. I was originally introduced to the organization through my autistic brother. He was participating in Unified Tennis and our district was in desperate need of assistance. I volunteered as a Unified Partner, and from the moment I stepped onto the tennis court with the athletes, I was inspired by their dedication and determination. Their positive attitudes were infectious and made me realize that I could never leave Special Olympics. I currently serve on the Arizona Youth Activation Committee and I can already see the difference of inclusion between Special Education students and General Education students. As a National Youth Activation Committee member, I hope to educate students about Special Olympics, motivate them to become part of the organization, and encourage them to develop a Youth Activation Committee at their school. My favorite part of being involved with Project Unify is knowing that I am changing the lives of those with intellectual disabilities by giving them a voice in the community and creating friendships they will keep forever.

Clement Coulston
Representing: Special Olympics Delaware
I am a student at the University of Delaware and a youth leader in the State of Delaware. I am the co-chair of the Program Development (PD) Sub-Committee, which focuses on collaboration with other Project UNIFY Programs, organization by using technological resources and development of partnerships and resources to expand and sustain the impact of Project UNIFY. One of my most fun experiences on the PD Committee was the creation of “how-to” manuals. These ‘e-hows’ helped many State Programs on initiatives such as how to build a State YAC, create a R-Word Rally, to even how to facilitate conference calls. As a committee, we worked collaboratively in developing and revising these manuals, which fostered teamwork and communication skills. My favorite memory was being on the committee that devised educational, interactive and engaging sessions for the 2010 National Youth Activation Summit where over 150 youth gathered to learn how we can individually and collectively work towards social justice for all people. I really enjoyed learning, listening and sharing experiences with the attendees.

My work with the YAC is inspired by this quote: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams.

Shelby Dial
Representing: Special Olympics Wyoming
I am 15 years old and a student at Central High school in Wyoming. I first got involved with Special Olympics as a family member on the sidelines cheering on my big sister Shaelee, who is now 21 and still competes in Special Olympics. About five to six years ago I started partnering and coaching for track, basketball, swimming, soccer, skiing, snowboarding, and bowling. I have also been a member of the Youth Activation Program in Wyoming. Many times I’ve gone into schools to talk about the R-word and how it affects our community. I’ve also encouraged other students to join me in taking the pledge. I hope to make a difference in our schools and community by educating others about individuals with intellectual disabilities. Since I became involved with Special Olympics I have met some amazing people who have shown me what real courage, strength, love and determination is all about. I am happy to call each and every one of them part of my family and amazing friends. These friendships I will cherish for a lifetime.

Roberto Eguia
Representing: Special Olympics Idaho
I am 17 years old and from Boise, Idaho. My involvement with Special Olympics started in elementary school when an aide in the resource room got me started in track. I have participated as an athlete since then in track, volleyball, softball, and floor hockey. As a member of the National Youth Activation Committee, I would like to get more people, especially athletes, involved in the program. I would also like to start a Partners Club at my high school. My favorite part about being involved in Project Unify is meeting a lot of awesome people. I am looking forward to work with other members of the National YAC and meeting people from all over the country.

Daniel Fink
Representing: Special Olympics Alaska
I am 20 years old and originally from Alaska. I am currently attending Washington State University and I serve as the Community Program Coordinator for Special Olympics Washington at my school; I also work with Special Olympics Alaska when I am home. I have been involved with Special Olympics for 6 years and first got involved through my high school’s Partners Club, which is a club where students with and without intellectual disabilities come together for sports training and competition. My favorite part about being a member of the Youth Activation Committee is that I get to network with youth from all over the world and share my passion with other youth and adult leaders! My biggest accomplishment as a YAC member was leading the Global Youth Activation Summit in Athens, Greece for the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Kelsey Foster
Representing: Special Olympics South Carolina
I am 17 years old and I live in Lexington, South Carolina. I got involved with Special Olympics through a unified gym class offered at my high school. I have only been involved with Special Olympics for a year, but within that year I have crammed in as much volunteer work as I could, to the point that I was working every weekend with different athletes. I fell in love with all my athletes and it made me realize I wanted to do more, so I joined my state YAC which then lead to the National YAC. The athletes I’ve gotten the pleasure to work with always bring a smile to my face and their courage and bravery never ceases to amaze me. As a member of the National YAC, I want to make a difference. I will Spread the Word to End the Word and promote unity in our communities. My goal is to touch as many lives as I can and help people be the best that they can be. Being able to change our communities for the better is my favorite part about working with Project UNIFY, and so is the joy and happiness we can bring our athletes. Project UNIFY is changing how the world thinks about people with special needs, and it’s a dream come true to be a part of it!

Heather Glaser
Representing: Special Olympics Wyoming
I am 17 years old and I am representing Special Olympics Wyoming. I have been involved in Special Olympics for 5 years and I participate in swimming. I became involved in Special Olympics through a good friend and I became involved because I wanted to feel like I could be part of something like a normal kid. What I hope to accomplish as a National YAC member is helping to improve Special Olympics as a whole. My favorite part about being involved with Project UNIFY is meeting so many great people.

Evan Heller
Representing: Special Olympics Massachusetts
I am 18 years old and originally from Massachusetts. I currently attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst where I plan to major in Social Thought & Political Economy and Anthropology. I have been involved with Special Olympics for nearly 9 years, ever since my mom formed a Special Olympics team at our school, called Heller’s Angels. I have been involved as a coach and chaperone as a way to help out, be involved, and be with many of my friends with intellectual disabilities. My biggest accomplishment as a Youth Activation Committee member has been showing people of all ages and abilities that youth are able to make a difference, as exhibited through many conferences and summits that I’ve had the privilege to attend. Seeing the changes that we as YAC members have made in the community reminds me that everything we do is worth the effort.

My greatest accomplishment as a YAC member is also my favorite part–having the knowledge that we are changing the world.

Bernice Higa-French
Representing: Special Olympics Hawaii
I am 17 years old and I represent Special Olympics Hawaii. I started being involved with Special Olympics in 2010 because I love what it stands for. I believe acceptance is very important. As a National Youth Activation Committee member I hope to get the meaning of Project UNIFY out to a lot more students my age. While I just started on the National YAC, I like the opportunities it will give me and I hope it will build my character.

Tanealya Hueth
Representing: Special Olympics Montana
I am 20 years old and originally from Great Falls, Montana. I am currently attending the Paris Gibson Education Center. I have been involved with Special Olympics fir 6 years, as both an athlete and a youth leader, and initially got involved after my mentor, Samantha McLeod encouraged me to join the Great Falls Lions team and become a part of Special Olympics

My biggest accomplishment as a National Youth Activation Committee member has been the opportunity to serve as a facilitator for the Global Youth Activation Summit in Athens, Greece. There I represented North American, met celebrities – like Michelle Kwan, Apolo Ohno, Tim Shriver and Maria Shriver – and was interviewed by people from different countries. My favorite part about being a YAC member is getting to see my fellow committee members – being around them makes me happy. I also like talking about the R-word campaign, learning new ideas, meeting new people and getting to work with the SOI staff and my mentor Samantha (who helps me write speeches and makes sure I’m not afraid when I speak in front of big crowds).

Oh Sang (James) Kweon
Representing: Special Olympics Idaho
Iam 17 years old and proudly represent the state of Idaho. I was first introduced to this program about two years ago during Summer 2010 by my piano teacher. That year, as the State Games were low on volunteers, my piano teacher asked me if I would participate in managing the basketball portion of the State Games, and I readily agreed to this. Honestly, at first I did not really know what to expect, but once the Games starting rolling, it was truly an experience that changed my life. From there, my involvement grew and I continued on as a coach, unified partner and eventually member of the Southwest Idaho Youth Activation Council. Now I am proud to say that I am part of the National YAC. Contributing in a greater way by bringing my ideas and my energy into the system is something that I’ve always enjoyed and hopefully others have found helpful. One of the first thing that I’d like to accomplish as a National YAC member is to get it more student-run. Of course we need our adult administrators and specialists to guide us, but making Project UNIFY more student-involved I believe is significant towards our goals. The most rewarding part of Project Unify is the happiness and warmth that just flows around. Whatever it is, Project Unify is definitely a necessary and rewarding goal to maintain.

Danielle Liebl
Representing: Special Olympics Minnesota
I am 21 years old and currently attend the College of Saint Benedict &St. John’s University in Minnesota. At 11, I became involved with Special Olympics solely as an athlete in track, bowling, swimming and golf. Over the years my leadership roles as an athlete have increased – leading to my involvement in the Athlete Leadership Program, as well as Youth Activation Committees on the state and National level.

The National YAC has given me tremendous confidence in myself. Personally, the accomplishment of bringing Teen Truth Live to two local high schools was the highlight of my NYAC career. Teen Truth Live is a program that partners with Project UNIFY and educates youth on the effects of hurtful behavior. Being able to see the change not only in the youth but in the entire school climate was such an empowering experience. Throughout the two years that I have been on YAC it has been a true pleasure to meet and engage with such empowered youth. Youth are the innovators of change; they are key agents empowered to make this world a better place.

Whoever said youth cannot change the world, clearly have not met the Project UNIFY youth.

Dallas Lopez
Representing: Special Olympics Texas
I am 16 years old and I’m from Orange, Texas. I have been involved with Special Olympics and originally joined the movement because my friend Dustin is involved. Dustin is one of the many Special Olympics athletes I work with at my school. We have been friends for at least 10 years and used to play sports together in junior high. When I found out I could support him as an athlete in high school, I couldn’t say no. He continues to inspire me to be involved with Project UNIFY. My goal as a member of the National YAC is to show the world that people with disabilities aren’t that different from people without disabilities. My favorite part about Project UNIFY is meeting new people and seeing what they’re doing to change the world.

Samantha McLeod
Representing: Special Olympics Montana
I am a 20 year old from Montana and currently attend the University of Montana. I have been involved with Special Olympics for 5 years. I started volunteering as a unified partner so that I could acquire community service hours while doing something I loved – skiing. I immediately fell in love with the athletes and have been volunteering ever since then! As a Youth Activation Committee member, I have done some pretty amazing things. However, in the grand scheme of things, changing attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities is the biggest and best thing that we have done; after all, we strive for acceptance and inclusion. My favorite part of being a YAC member would have to be a variety of things. Whether it’s the relationships that I have made with the other members and the SOI staff that I will cherish for life, getting to travel and see other state programs, growing up so much as an individual and strengthening my leadership skills, or just knowing that I am making a difference in the world – it’s all my favorite part!

 

Jared Niemeyer
Representing: Special Olympics Missouri
I’m twenty years old and live in Missouri. I graduated from Kirksville High School in May 2012 and I am currently competitively employed in my community. I’ve been involved with Special Olympics as an athlete since I was about nine years old and I participate in track & field, soccer, basketball, bowling and hope to get a softball and flag football team started in our area. Today, I’m a member of Missouri Youth Activation Committee (YAC), as well as the National YAC. One of the best things about being a National YAC member is getting to work to make good things happen for athletes everywhere! We work to promote inclusive education and empower everyone to become informed, active members of our communities and influence good things in our world. I think my biggest accomplishment has been becoming a leader. I have talked to lots of friends, people in my community and others in my state about how important it is to do all and be all we can be! My friends and I have done an R-Word Campaign, we have talked to our legislators and members in our community about inclusion, social justice and Special Olympics!

Brady Platt
Representing: Special Olympics South Carolina
I am 17 years old and from Lexington, South Carolina. I have been a student athlete since I was 5 years old. I play baseball, basketball, track and field, and love to bowl. I enjoy attending the State Rally to end the R-word and other activities. I love spending time with others. I am so excited to be on the National Youth Activation Committee and I can’t wait to make a difference in the lives of others.

Jordan Schubert
Representing: Special Olympics Pennsylvania
I am 18 years old and I am a freshman at West Chester University of Pennsylvania majoring in Spanish and minoring in Communications. I have been involved with Special Olympics for 9 years as an athlete and youth leader. As an athlete, I have competed in basketball (where I have won 10 gold medals, including 4 Illinois State Championships), softball, and soccer. I also started a Unified Soccer program at my high school during my senior year. I first was introduced to Project Unify when I attended the National Youth Activation Summit in Nebraska during the 2010 National Games. After I came back from Nebraska, I educated people about Project Unify and how we could implement it into our community. In 2011, I was chosen to attend the Global Youth Summit during the World Games in Greece. I haven’t been a YAC member that long so my biggest accomplishment so far was being selected to join the National YAC, though I know I will accomplish many things in the future. What I like most about being a YAC member is representing the thousands of athletes and partners from Pennsylvania and Illinois and trying to achieve a common goal, not just for those two places, but the whole world.

Kaitlyn Smith
Representing: Special Olympics Colorado
I am 19 years old and a freshman at the University of Northern Colorado, where I plan to major in Special Education. After meeting my best friend who has Down syndrome, I knew I wanted to find more ways to help individuals with intellectual disabilities, so I started volunteering for Special Olympics. I have been involved with Special Olympics for only five years now, but plan to stay involved my whole life. I am a coach for basketball, volleyball and young athletes, as well as a member of my state Youth Activation Committee and the National Youth Activation Committee. My favorite part about being on the YAC is having the opportunity to help Special Olympics on a level that not only impacts my state, but can impact the country. I also love the fact that all the members on the Youth Activation Committee are so committed and dedicated to helping an organization that gives back so much to the community.