SOWI Announces Return of the YAC

Special Olympics Wisconsin has named its statewide selections to the Youth Activation Committee, making its initial return since the pre-COVID-19 pandemic era.

The Youth Activation Committee (YAC) consists of youth from ages 14 to 18 from across the state, both with and without intellectual disabilities. Together it promotes programming and school communities where young people are agents of change—fostering respect, dignity, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities.

The YAC also serves as youth liaisons to SOWI staff in planning and implementing Unified Champion Schools programming and supporting unified activities at statewide seasonal games and tournaments. Each spring, the YAC It will also help run a statewide Youth Activation Summit, connecting students with the tools needed to become leaders for inclusion within their schools and communities.

All committee members submitted a formal application and received an interview by SOWI’s Unified Champion Schools team.

Meet the 2022-23 Special Olympics Wisconsin Youth Activation Committee:

Hannah Christianson
Sophomore, Brookfield East High School
Sophia Conley
Senior, Columbus High School
Caroline Hodges
Freshman, Neenah High School
Madison Oeftger
Sophomore, Neenah High School
Mariana Oeftger
8th Grade, Shattuck Middle School (Neenah)
Myles Paulson
Senior, DC Everest High School (Schofield)
Lexi Raeder
Senior, Columbus High School
Gabriella Rise
Senior, Brookfield Central High School
Brady Zoellick
8th Grade, Glacial Drumlin Middle School (Cottage Grove)

 

Read more about the Youth Activation Committee here.