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Equity. Quality. Collaboration.

Minnesota Youth Council

Representatives

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Each year, 36 young people serve as Youth Representatives in the Minnesota Youth Council, representing each of Minnesota’s 8 Congressional Districts. There are 4 Youth Representatives for each Congressional District, 4 At-Large members, and a corresponding group of Adult Partners that support their work.

To contact any of the Minnesota Youth Council representatives, please email youthvoice@mnyouth.net, with the name of the council member in the subject line.

  • Congressional District 1

    Dominick Lund-May, Sophomore at Fairmont Junior/Senior High School

    Dominick joined the MYC because he wanted to be a voice for the students in his town, and in his community.  He is involved in many things at his high school. Not only is he involved in speech, debate, math league, and knowledge bowl, he is also o a member of the soccer and tennis teams, and an active member of his church congregation.

     

    Bryanna Petschke, student at Fairmont Junior/Senior High School

    “I joined MYC so I could spread awareness in my small community. I am involved in many things at Fairmont Jr/Sr high-school including musical theatre, speech, band, empower, and tennis.”

     

    Mariyah Rumpca-Veronese, Sophomore at Winona Senior High School

    “I joined the Minnesota Youth Council in an effort to help increase the conversation and action surrounding environmental justice. It is important for youth to stand up and protect the Earth that we will inherit, as well as speaking up for our fellow inhabitants who cannot speak for themselves.”

     

    Audrina Suckow, student at Fairmont Junior/Senior High School

    “My name is Audrina Suckow and I do many other activities such as basketball, soccer, track, orchestra, and student council. I joined this group because I want to make a difference in my community not only using my voice but with my actions as well.”

     

  • Congressional District 2

    Aaimah Khawaja, Senior at Lakeview North High School

    Aaimah is a member of her school’s Muslims Student Association, Speech Team, and National Honors Society.  She is a Food Shelf Volunteer at South Metro Islamic Center.  She has always found it extremely difficult to see injustices occurring around her prevail, with little to no action being taken in her community to put an end to it.

     

    Anish Valluri, Senior at Woodbury Math and Science Academy

    Anish is passionate about spreading awareness for those in special education, and hopes to use his perspectives as a neurodivergent student to help change the stereotypes and issues that surround them.  He participates in First Tech Challenge, cross country, track, and is the captain of the chess team

     

    Hiba Rahman, student at Eagan High School

    “I’m a sophomore at Eagan High School and I do varsity speech and congressional debate. I love to go to new restaurants and try new things with my friends and family.I’m excited for a fun year with all the representatives at MYC. I’m looking forward to working with the juvenile justice team in advocating for youth rights in our carceral system. Overall I’m looking forward to a phenomenal team and lots of fun!”

    Feven Tesfaye, student at Burnsville High School

    “I’m very interested in trying and learning new things and through this curiosity I’ve tried to learn more about the world. Helping other young people also be curious about the world and know their rights is something I look forward to seeing intensify in our state. I’m a part of my school’s service committee, student council and speech team. Being in these types of groups has helped me feel comfortable in myself and my ideas and I hope to help other youths feel empowered in themselves as well.”

  • Congressional District 3

    Maryjane Iteghete, Senior at Park Center High School

    Maryjane joined the MYC to work with and learn from other youth leaders working towards improving and advancing our community. She serves on her school’s Student Advisory Committee and Junior Class Cabinet, is on the Varsity Soccer team, is president of the Black Student Union, and is a member of Youth Environmental Activists.

    Devarsh Borah, Junior at Edina High School

    Devarsh has a heartfelt belief in the power of advocacy, and is very excited to work with his fellow youth representatives to bring about positive change throughout the state. Devarsh is passionate about addressing disparities in the criminal justice system, as well as working towards creating a more welcoming and equitable state for all Minnesotans regardless of their identity. Devarsh is a captain for the Edina Congressional Debate Team and has competed and placed at several high-profile speech and debate tournaments across the country. At school, Devarsh is a writer for his school’s newspaper and a violist(not to be confused with a violinist) in his school’s Concert Orchestra. In his free time, Devarsh loves watching the NBA(Go Wolves), hanging out with his friends, and trying different foods. Devarsh is looking forward to a great year serving on the Minnesota Youth Council!

    Jacob Kiflu, student at Bloomington Jefferson High School

    “I am passionate about all things empowering youth, specifically destigmatizing mental health discussions in school environments and bridging the gap of mental health inequities. I am a senior at Bloomington Jefferson High School, where I run track and participate in Latin Club. Outside of school I pursue all things creative; I am a commissioned photographer and I make videos.”

    Emmanuel Edebiri, student at Totino-Grace High School

    Emmanuel is a junior serving on the Minnesota Youth Council. This is his first year on the council, and he serves on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee. He is passionate about equity and equal opportunities for youth throughout Minnesota regarding resources and education on their health and wellbeing.

  • Congressional District 4

    Hufsa

    Aila Brodd, Junior at Twin Cities Academy
    My name is Aila Maki Brodd and I live in St Paul, MN. I am very passionate about animal and environmental welfare and the preservation of wildlife and their natural habitats, as well as gender and racial equality, and equal educational opportunities for people of different economical backgrounds.

    Rachel Zuraff, student at Hopkins High School

    Rachel is passionate about the environment and fascinated by plants and ecosystems; she joined the MYC to further her lifelong goal of leaving the world better than she found it. Within her past work, she has served on a city environmental commission and is excited to continue her work on the state level. In her schoolwork, she is studying bioresource engineering at the University of Minnesota as a full-time PSEO student. In her free time, she enjoys gardening on the patio, listening to various music genres, reusing broken vintage jewelry, and playing games with friends and family.

    Astou Dione, student at Roseville Area High School

    Extracurriculars: Student Council (Sophomore Class Representative,) Math Team, Girls in STEM, Avid Leadership Council, Track and Robotics. Out of school activities: Mark Cuban’s AI Bootcamp, Avid Summer Institute 2023. I love to help people and make sure everyone’s voices are heard. Joined the Minnesota Youth Council to gain more leadership skills and to be more involved with my community.

    Noah Yehalashet, Senior at Woodbury Math and Science Academy

    Hi, I’m Noah Yehalashet! I’m committed to recreating our current systems to build a world that serves everyone, especially youth and people of color. I’m constantly interested in learning about ways we can build collective power to address issues that we face in our communities. I’m passionate about policy regarding the carceral system, and housing. In my high school, I’m the President of the Student Action Group and have previously served as a Student Representative on my School Board. Outside of my school, I’m managing a school board campaign and working with several city council campaigns as an organizer. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, reading, and exploring restaurants in the Twin Cities.

  • Congressional District 5
    Naomi Teshome, Senior at St. Anthony Village High School
    “I’m a senior at St.Anthony Village High School, I represent Congressional District 5 and this is my third year serving on the MYC! My time with the council has taught me that all hope and power lies in the hands of the youth. Our experiences, backgrounds and needs are imperative to hear and learn about to make true change within MN legislation. This is an opportunity and a platform to support communities in need and shed light on matters that concern us and the rest of the state, one of those matters being our climate crisis which is one of the reasons I joined Environmental Justice. I aspire to be one of the voices that addresses the history of environmental racism and the effects urbanization and gentrification has on communities of color and their environment. I hope our work can inspire at least one student, inspiration is all it took for me to join this collective of leaders!”
    Charlie Schmit, Senior at Washburn High School Minneapolis

    Charlie is thrilled to be returning for his third and final year on The Minnesota Youth Council as Chair of Congressional District 5 and Co-Chair of the Education Equity Committee! He brings a variety of talents to The Youth Council including but not limited to vigorously searching the Minnesota House/Senate Database for bills to support, watching every political show on the face of the Earth, and attending as many High School sporting events as he can. Charlie is looking forward to another productive year focusing on improving education and education standards in Minnesota and he is hopeful that substantial lasting change will be made. His goals for this year include having a fun and fulfilling senior year and spending as much time at the State Capital as possible lobbying and advocating for youth and hopefully getting the Youth Council funded again.

    Taleya Addison, student at FAIR Downtown Minneapolis

    Bio coming soon!

     

    Luna Moon, student at Robbinsdale Cooper High School
    “Osiyo! My name is Luna Moon, I am a Latina/Native American. I’m hoping to go into the medical field someday to help save lives but right now, I care about keeping lives happy! As the world keeps changing and growing, we come to realize that all our voices matter so I’m proud to be apart of Minnesota Youth Council and I hope I can help make change.”
  • Congressional District 6

    Annabelle Trombley, Sophomore at Sartell High School

    Annabelle joined the MYC because she is passionate about working with and learning from other youth leaders who share her passion for advocacy and policy change. Annabelle is a member of her high school student council, and is an active member in her community youth choir. She enjoys working at her local movie theater, spending time with friends and family, and learning Spanish.

    Adonai Yidnekachew, Junior at Chaska High School

    “Hey! My name is Adonai Yidnekachew and I am a proud Youth State Rep for Congressional District 6! I am part of a hardworking family of 9, where we are known for being active whether in sports, in our community, or in our own endeavors. For me, I am focused on equity in my schools and my community as I am part of an international non-profit organization, ARCC, which fights to eliminate racism and educate anti racism, and have brought that fight in my school community with a club called SOAR working for equity at Chaska High School and District 112. We hope to educate students, the next generation, about a diverse range of cultures so they can put aside their differences and help eliminate their bias. I love lead, take up challenges, and will always find a way. <3″

    Ethan Vue, student at Spring Lake Park High School
    Ethan Vue is a queer second generation Hmong American. They have served communities locally with the Asian American Organizing Project, regionally with the Walker Art Center, and hopes to serve state-wide as a Minnesota Youth Council member representing congressional district 6. Ethan believes that environmental issues intersects an array of communities. Environmental justice isn’t just about the well-being of the earth but the well-being of the people living on it as well.
    Alayna Boe, student at Big Lake High School
    “I am apart of an anti-drug coalition in my school, different volunteer groups, band, robotics, cross country, hockey, and track and field. I am looking to make a difference in my community and wanting to bring awareness to different issues.”
  • Congressional District 7
  • Congressional District 8
    Grace Swenson, Senior at Cromwell-Wright

    Grace is part of the Speech and One Act teams. She enjoys helping out in her community any way she can. She joined MYC to make a bigger and positive difference through the state of Minnesota.

     

    Taylor O’Shea, Junior at Deer River High School

    “I am a junior at Deer River High School. I’m involved in many activities such as Varsity Cheerleading, Vocal Ensemble, Student Council, a community action team, and I am the 2-year manager for our varsity softball team. I enjoy reading, singing, and Taylor Swift. I joined the MYC because I am passionate about being a leader not only in my school, but in my community. I also love being a part of change and feeling that sense of accomplishment.”

    Larisa Miller, student at Denfeld High School and Lake Superior College (PSEO)

    “I’m very passionate for future students to not have bad experiences that me and my peers have gone through. I am very involved within the community and schools, including, creating step team, clubs, volunteering, NHS, basketball, etc. I love to stay busy, one of my favorite quotes is “live, don’t just exist.” Some hobbies that I enjoy is skateboarding, crafts, going outside, sewing and just learning new things to try. I’m determined to gather information from my community to bring to the council and excited to get started!”

  • At Large Representatives

    Grace Van Voorst, Senior at Northfield Senior High School

    Grace says “Ever since I was young, advocacy and community service have been at the forefront of everything I do.”  She finds the most peace being in positions where she can use her voice and perspective to enact change.  Grace is on the Northfield Mayor’s Youth Council City and serves as the Public Relations Committee Chair, is a Northfield Youth Bank Board Member, is captain of the Mock Trial Varsity Opening Attorney and is a staff writer and editorial manager for Redefy.

    Sarah Ragoonanan, Junior at Hiawatha Collegiate High School Minneapolis
    “If I’m not educating people about the injustices in our state and country, I’m connecting my passion for social justice, climate change, and equality to my school work and continuing to use my voice in every way I can. Being a first generation Indo-Caribbean woman, I know what it’s like to be overlooked and pushed aside. I joined MYC to bring real representation to my community and speak up against the struggles that people like me know all too well. Bringing change is something I feel obligated to do and nothing would make me happier than making a difference so that in the future, youth of color can grow up without having to relive the same struggles as those before them. My determination and passion for those in my community will continue to push me to make this world a better place for my generation and those after them.”
    Luka Jacobi-Khron, Senior at Edina High School
    Luka believes that young people must be given a chance to talk about real issues that affect them as it brings about change. The decisions made in local and national legislatures will have a direct impact on young people’s lives and everyone around them. He has enjoyed working in the political field especially for local campaigns. He joined the MYC to make a positive difference in his district and community.
    Arjun Kunhiraman, Senior at Wayzata High School
    “Outside of the MYC, I’m the youth Secretary of State in YIG, I’m one of my schools debate captains, and I work as an assistant chess coach. I also like to bike, play basketball, and hang out with friends. I joined the MYC to help create a significant change in my community, and I’m looking forward to all the things we’re going to do!”