OYLPN Youth Council
The Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network engages young people and youth-led organizations across Ohio to prevent drug use and addiction, teach their peers the importance of self-care, and promote positive mental health. OYLPN was created by youth for youth to create a community of like-minded teens who want to be part of a solution. More than 150 organizations have joined OYLPN since its creation in 2011 by Prevention Action Alliance with funding from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
To ensure that youth lead the efforts of OYLPN, an OYLPN Youth Council was created to engage youth voices in behavioral health. The OYLPN Youth Council consists of up to 15 high school students from regions around our state. Every year, the OYLPN Youth Council:
- Organizes and leads the We Are Change Rally to encourage youth to become change agents to create positive change for themselves, their peers, and their communities.
- Meets with legislators to advocate for youth-led prevention and the promotion of mental health wellness.
- Empowers teens across the state to take a stand for their communities.
- Promotes protective factors in their peer’s lives to help prevent drug use.
The OYLPN Youth Council allows 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.
Meet the 2022-2023 Youth Council
Stay tuned for the 2023-2024 Youth Council!
Tayanna Bagrowski (She/Her)
My name is Tayanna Bagrowski, and I am a junior at Archbold High School in Fulton County, Ohio. This will be my third year in my local youth council and second year in OYLPN. I’m also involved in many activities in and outside of school. For example, I play tuba and baritone in my school band, I play varsity tennis, I’m a second-year officer in my FFA chapter, I’m on my school’s quiz and mock trial teams, I’m involved in FCCLA, National Honor Society, and more! In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, reading, playing tennis, and hanging out with friends. I am very passionate about supporting youth and am extremely honored that OYLPN has given me the chance to speak up at the state level!
Keirsten Swope (She/Her)
My name is Keirsten Swope, and I am a senior at Louisville High School. I am very passionate about advocating for mental health awareness and equity. I am involved with activities including being a Louisville Board of Education Student Representative, Teen Ambassador Board under Attorney General Dave Yost, Equity Club (co-founder), Stark County Youth Led Prevention, Pre-Med Club (Founder), Key Club (President), Art Club (Vice President), Washington Ruritan Club (Rising Senior and Scholarship Recipient), and Science Club. I hope to make positive change in my community and state and to go on to study neuroscience in college.
Asma Imran (She/Her)
Hello, my name is Asma Imran. I am 17 years old, and I am a senior in Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst Ohio. I am in the medical technology program at my school and hope to enter the medical field. This is my first year on OLYPN and I joined to help make a difference in our society and to let teens know they can make healthy choices. I enjoy drawing, cooking, and reading. I am honored to be a part of the Ohio youth led prevention Network youth council for 2022/2023.
Karlee Clark (She/Her)
My name is Karlee Clark, and I am currently a Senior at Newark High School. I am involved in many programs and activities in my school and community such as softball, travel softball, varsity girls golf and national honor society. I am also a lifeguard at a local waterpark and youth water safety is very important to me. I also work at a local boba shop and a pizza truck. My favorite things to do are going to school events with friends, spend time with my family and teammates, and traveling. I’m very excited to be on the youth council this year and have the opportunity to work with other teens that are working towards a common goal. I decided to become and advocate for drug prevention because I have experienced the pain of losing friends and family members from addiction. I want to be a part of the change in my generation and community. I want to show teens that there are safe and healthy outlets.
Briseis Reategui (She/Her)
My name is Briseis Reategui, I am 15, live in Mount Sterling, and a sophomore at Madison Plains High Schools. This is my first year in OYLPN. I’m a dancer, a varsity soccer player and part of the drama club. I’m Peruvian, part of the LGBTQ+ community, an epileptic, and an active student and athlete looking to try and help change situations around us. Being a minority in today’s world I want to help others like me know that they’re not alone.
Garrett Wahl (He/Him)
My name is Garrett Wahl. I am a junior at Washington High School in Washington Court House, although I reside in the Wilmington area. I am a member of The Academy of Scholars. I also enjoy playing the saxophone in both the marching and concert bands. I am active in Student Government and am currently serving as the Junior Class President. I am involved in DECA and am a member of the Teen Ambassador Board for The Ohio Attorney General’s Office. I am a varsity golfer and enjoy playing in competitive leagues during the summer. After becoming a member of the Fayette County Youth Coalition, I decided that I would like to become a part of the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network. My involvement in these groups has allowed me to develop a passion for helping others prevent substance misuse. I am very excited to continue this work as a member of the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network.
Drake Bennett (He/Him)
Hello, my name is Drake Bennett, and I am a senior at Clinton-Massie High School. I am an active leader in many local school organizations and am also an Eagle Scout. I am extremely passionate about music and love marching band. This is my first year being a member of the OYLPN council and I am excited to work with this amazing youth council!
Mackenzie Long (She/Her)
Hi, my name is MacKenzie Long, and I am an 18-year-old senior at Miami Trace High school. I am heavily involved in many school activities especially clubs. I am President of Miami Traces’ Science Club, Drug Prevention Coalition, and Secretary for the Junior class. I also participate in Drama Club, The Superintendents Advisory Council, Concert and Symphonic Band, Student Government, Color Guard, Swim, and Track & Field. I have a passion for changing the world and that is why I joined youth prevention and Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network. In the end, our future generations can make the biggest impact!
Sam Arledge (He/Him)
My name is Sam Arledge, and I am a Senior at Westfall High School in Pickaway County. There I serve as a member of the Pickaway County Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council where we promote philanthropy with the selfless giving of our time, talent, and treasure. For fun, I enjoy playing sports and spending time with family. My greatest passion of all is tobacco and vaping prevention. I am honored to be on the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network Youth Council for 2021/2022.
