OYLPN Youth Council
OYLPN YOUTH COUNCIL FAQ
What’s in it for me?
How do I get involved?
There are multiple paths in which to get involved:
- Watch for flyers, links, or posts promoted by the OYLPN Facebook and Instagram and the PAA Facebook and Instagram pages.
- Fill out an interest form by clicking here, and we will contact you as soon as we can!
- Attend the Rally! The Youth Council will be highlighted at the We Are Change Rally – allowing for ample opportunities to get involved or to find out more info.
What are the commitments?
Members of the Youth Council are invited to engage in monthly in-person meetings scheduled for the first Saturday of each month. These will be held at Prevention Action Alliance’s office in Columbus, Ohio. Virtual meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month in the evening. Additionally, attendance is mandatory at both the OYLPN Youth Council Retreat and the We Are Change Rally. Other opportunities may be presented as well but will not be mandatory.
Are there any fees or costs to join?
How do I know if I’m eligible?
I have more questions!/I’m interested in applying!
For youth interested in applying or receiving more information, please fill out this form!
Meet the 2025-2026 Youth Council!
The OYLPN Youth Council provides the opportunity for youth to make an impact in the lives of teens across Ohio, develop their leadership, public speaking, and advocacy skills, and build relationships with other teens dedicated to making our world a better place.
Addison
Hi! I'm Addison. This is my second year in OYLPN, and I’m currently a junior. I first joined OYLPN my sophomore year to help promote mental health awareness, and since then, my focus has expanded to include raising awareness about teen drug misuse as well.
Addysen
Hello! My name is Addysen, and I’m 17 years old. I’m currently in 12th grade and attending cosmetology school in southern Ohio. I have a variety of hobbies, including sewing, painting, and digital art. I also enjoy taking care of my five dogs, two cats, and a few unique fish! When I graduate, I plan to go into the medical field working as a forensic nurse!
Alencya
Hi, I’m Alencya and this is my second year with Ohio Youth Led Prevention Network. This year I am seeking to help others become the best they can be. I love being able to help others and make a positive impact wherever I go. It takes a seed to grow a tree, and if that seed doesn’t have the care and nurture that is needed, it has a harder time to thrive. I’m looking forward to being a part of this year's change with OYLPN.
Charlie F.
Hi! My name is Charlie, I'm currently a Junior in Highschool. I participate in my school's track team, marching band, show choir, and women's choir. I am a part of OYLPN because I hope to influence others to not participate in harmful activities and to advocate for youth mental health. Also, to inform others on what they can do to help today's youth steer away from negativity!
Charlie W.
I am a member of OYLPN because I aspire to make a positive impact within my community, no matter how big or small. Something to know about me is that I love traveling and trivia. As captain of my school’s Quiz Team, that’s a bit of an essential. An activity that I enjoy in my free time is playing Geoguessr—what can I say? It’s fun! Thrilling, yet also fulfilling. I’d like to think that I’m a pretty well-rounded person, but one of my biggest attributes is drug prevention. After all, that is why I joined OYLPN!
Davon
I joined OYLPN after attending a youth rally with my home group, where I was inspired by how confidently the council spoke in front of hundreds of people. That moment made me realize I wanted to grow as a leader and strengthen my public speaking skills. Since joining, OYLPN has given me amazing opportunities to connect with new people, use my voice to make real change, and become more confident in myself. Outside of OYLPN, I enjoy playing sports, volunteering, and exploring new ways to advocate for youth mental health. I'm so grateful to be a part of an amazing group of future leaders.
Hi! I am a 12th grade student from the Cincinnati area, and I joined OYLPN to make a big impact. I am very passionate about advocacy and turning ideas into real, lasting change. Through OYLPN's opportunities such as Advocacy Day, the We Are Change Rally, and learning experiences at our monthly meetings, I have truly learned what it means to be a dedicated youth leader working towards change. I am so passionate about OYLPN and how it helps leaders evolved due to the combination of youth voices, professional training. When we hear out real people's voices, and combine it with those professional opinions, we are able to implement the change that will make our community better. Outside of OYLPN, I am heavily involved in my local community foundation, Ohio Business Professionals of America, where I serve as state parliamentarian, and other advocacy opportunities. I am so excited for this year, and to better get to know all the new members!
Emilee
Hi there! My name is Emilee, and I’m a junior in high school. I love being a part of Advocation. In my free time, I enjoy reading, drawing, and swimming. I joined the OYLPN because I’m passionate about making a positive impact in my state and community. I want to ensure that youth feel represented in the prevention industry, and I believe that by joining the OYLPN and being involved in my home group, Concerned About Teen Success (CATS), I can contribute to this goal. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of these groups. They give me a sense of pride and purpose and empowers me to make a difference within myself and my community.
Gabriella
Hey, I am Gabi I’m 17 years old and I am a part of Youth Coalition as well as me being a part of OYLPN. I go to Leetonia exempted village school district as well as I am a part of the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center for criminal justice! I do art club, and I love doing prevention work. Why I joined OYLPN is because I wanted to make a difference in my community and my county. Once I saw the work that they had been doing, I wanted to be a part of that. Some hobbies of mine are reading, listening to music, and hanging out with my family and friends.
Javin
Hi, I ‘m Javin. I am from Scottown, Ohio, one of the most southern points of Ohio. I go to Symmes Valley High School. At Symmes Valley, I’m a part of six clubs and one sport: Art Club, Book Club, Beta Club, Drama Club, Quiz Bowl, School Store Club, and Cross Country. Out of Symmes Valley, I’m involved in my local coalition, Impact Prevention. Through Impact, I have gotten achievements that range from speaking about prevention at summits and counseling the youth at leadership camps. Most of my hobbies are surrounded by entertainment. Watching movies, listening to music, or falling down a YouTube rabbit hole. I joined OYLPN because I wanted to achieve a massive level of prevention. You can only do so much within the confines of your county. So, I wanted to go state level.
Jiya
Hello, my name is Jiya! I am currently a sophomore in high school. I'm part of my school's field hockey team, choir, student senate, teen institute, and more! In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, and drawing. I joined OYLPN to be able to advocate for youth across Ohio. I hope I will grow my leadership skills and see the world through new perspectives through OYLPN. I am excited to make a difference!
Jordan
Hi, my name is Jordan. I am a sophomore in high school and a member of Model UN and my school's show choir. I joined OYLPN because I have dealt with my own mental health challenges for years, and I believe that all youth deserve a chance to have a voice about their experiences and to know that they are not alone.
Keira
Hi! I’m Keira. I am a Junior in high school, and I do a lot of sports like cross country, track, and swim. I joined the youth council because I feel it is important to learn and spread mental health awareness. I struggle with mental health myself and realize how important it is to have an understanding of what mental health entails and what teens go through.
Leen
Hey! My name is Leen, and I am currently a sophomore. I am part of the Dublin Teen Institute, a group focused on substance prevention, sobriety, and drug-free fun! We organize an annual retreat where we teach local youth about peer pressure, leadership, and healthy coping mechanisms. I joined OYLPN because I wanted to reach even more of my peers and help them. I'm excited to learn more, advocate for teens, create resources + support, and make change! In my free time, I like to read, or watch shows with my sisters. I can't wait to be a part of this meaningful movement!
Nihar
Hi! I’m Nihar, a rising senior from Fairfield High School in Southwest Ohio, Butler County. And this is my second year on the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network’s Youth Council. Before joining OYLPN, I honestly had no idea what prevention or advocacy really meant. But since becoming part of this network, I’ve grown so much, from learning about substance misuse, mental health, and physical and invisible disabilities, and meeting other passionate youth from all across the state of Ohio and the Country who care just as deeply. I’ve had the chance to attend conferences like Y2Y, help plan and host our “We Are Change” rally in May, in which we got to march around state house in Columbus and hearing from our senator, and even advocate for change at our own prevention day, the Ohio Statehouse and in Washington D.C. on Capitol Hill with legislators of all sorts. Back at school, I’m involved in several clubs and sports, like Class Council, Tennis, and Hope Squad to name a few, and I am also involved with many other organizations outside as well. And this is all youth-led, we create the ideas, we have the drive, and with help from our amazing adults' advisors, it’s our plan that really shines! I love cooking meals for the people I care about. I hope to become a doctor one day possibly a cardiologist or an endocrinologist and now I plan to pursue public health and its role in prevention alongside medicine, not just to chance my future but everyone’s. I joined OYLPN not knowing what to expect, now I can’t imagine my life without this kind of purpose. And as I have learned through my time here, is that it’s never too late for Change!
Noor
My name is Noor and I’m from Pickaway County. I'm a senior at Pickaway Ross career center, where I study Law and Public Safety. I play softball and tennis. This is my second year participating in OYLPN. I joined OYLPN to develop my leadership skills and connect with others who share my passion for making a difference. Through this program, I hope to gain new experiences that will help me in my future career and community involvement.
Regan
Hello! My name is Regan, and I joined OYLPN to become more involved with the changes being made to improve the experiences of youth in Ohio. Likewise, I strive to be a leader in those changes to be made. To me, OYLPN means making a difference. It means having my voice be heard. Coming from a very rural, less populated area, I feel it is just as important to have our voices heard equally to those from larger cities. I feel it's vital to have voices heard from every spot in the state, and OYLPN does just that! Being a part of this youth council allows me to advocate for the youth near me that have a harder time getting their voices heard. That being said, I'm so excited to be a part of making a difference and making YOUR voice be heard!
Tay
Hello! I am a senior from Southwest Ohio with a deep appreciation for both art and nature, particularly otters. I have been involved in activities including: track and field, speech and debate, international club, tutoring, community service, the Technology Student Association, and more. I have long held a strong interest in healthcare and government, which my participation in OYLPN has provided valuable opportunities to engage in advocacy and policy discussions. My goal is to create meaningful change and amplify the voices of those who are unable to speak for themselves. I believe that youth deserve to use their voices and my role on this youth council enables me to do so on a broader scale than I had ever imagined.
Uche
I’m a high school Junior from Fairfield, Ohio with a passion for social impact. I’m involved in several school clubs and community programs, including African Student Union and Agents of Change, where I help organize events and advocate for youth mental health. I founded the Let’s Listen Project which is an organization that uses storytelling to boost community wellness. I joined OYLPN to connect with other young leaders who are also interested in prevention. Outside of school, I enjoy writing poetry and reading.
William
I’m William, a rising senior at Olentangy Liberty High School. I run Cross Country and Track for my school, and I also enjoy reading—my favorite subjects are Science and History. I believe strongly in youth advocacy because I think young voices are essential in shaping local, state, and national policies. I’ve been part of OYLPN for two years now, and I’m excited for this year’s council and all the opportunities OYLPN has to offer.