Applications for the 2024-2025 Youth Advisory Council are NOW OPEN! Scroll down to find the links for the application & letter of recommendation!
Youth Advisory Council
Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is made up of extraordinary student leaders who are dedicated to leading the change for young driver and passenger safety.
Leading the Change for Young Driver and Passenger Safety
What is the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) ?
The YOVASO Youth Advisory Council is a group of exemplary students who are passionate about highway safety and the well-being of their peers. YAC students are leaders in their high schools who are selected to work with YOVASO on a statewide level to bring about positive changes in driver and passenger safety. YAC students are responsible for developing and delivering programs and messages that will engage their peers and influence them to be safer drivers and passengers. As youth advisors, the members keep YOVASO youth-led and are an important part of the program’s mission.
What does YAC do?
•Meet monthly, either in-person or via online conference calls to discuss and work on statewide youth traffic safety initiatives.
•Help develop ideas, materials, and incentive items for campaigns, programs, retreats, and social media messaging.
•Participate in state and national highway safety conferences and other events that promote YOVASO at the local, state, and national level.
•Serve as positive role models in their schools and communities and uphold the values of YOVASO.
•Actively participate in their school’s YOVASO or prevention club.
•Help lead YOVASO campaigns and activities in their schools and communities
•Help plan and prepare for the YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat.
•Serve as youth leaders for the Summer Leadership Retreat.
How can I become a YAC member?
Applications are now OPEN! Both the Application & Letter of Recommendation are due on August 11th at 11:59pm. Click the links below to apply!
Meet the 2023-2024 Youth Advisory Council
Windsor Kanazawa
REACH Homeschool Group
Fredericksburg City
Windsor is a senior and is very active with her YOVASO club. She joined YAC to help her better support her club and to encourage other teens to develop safe driving habits. YOVASO is extremely important to her and she wants to do everything she can to help reduce teen traffic fatalities and crashes. This is her second year as a member of YAC.
Leah Bouldin
Homeschool
Roanoke Co.
Leah is a homeschooled senior in Roanoke. She plays volleyball, loves writing and reading, and is fascinated by criminal justice. She also sings, plays piano and drums, and has a great love for music all around. This is her first year on YAC and with YOVASO in general, but she is so honored to be a part of the program, and is excited to help spread awareness and cultivate leadership skills.
Jaxon Tyler
Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School
Prince William Co.
Jaxon goes to Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School. He likes biking and doing different sports passively such as: volleyball, badminton, and ultimate frisbee. This is Jaxon's first year on YAC and he's most looking forward to working with his peers and VSP to promote driver and passenger safety!
Vaiden Lindsey
Godwin High School
Henrico Co.
Vaiden is a junior at Godwin High School where she is on the Parent Teacher Student Organization and a member of peer helping. Vaiden also plays softball and is actively involved in her church youth group. In addition to her involvement at school and church, she also volunteers at the continuing care retirement community. Vaiden is excited to return to YAC for a second year and has plans to start a YOVASO club at her high school this year!
Cassidy Turpen
Hylton High School
Prince William Co.
Cassidy is a senior at Hylton High School. She likes art, softball, and skateboarding. She also loves dogs and has one at home. After attending a summer retreat she was inspired to join YAC and make a difference in her community. This is her second year as a member of YAC and she's looking forward to learning new things and being a part of new experiences with YOVASO.
Caleb Stone
James River High School
Chesterfield Co.
Caleb is a senior at James River High School. He's a twin (to YAC member Chandler!) and loves art, soccer, dance, and playing video games. He wanted to join YAC because he loves helping and being social! He also wanted to expand his interests and learn more about young driver and passenger safety. This is Caleb's first year on YAC.
Lillian Jordan
Tidewater Academy
Sussex Co.
Lillian is a sophomore at Tidewater Academy. This is her first year on YAC and she is excited by all the possibilities this year will offer!
Savannah Shouse
Graham High School
Tazewell Co.
Savannah is a senior at Graham High School and also takes cosmetology classes through the Tazewell County Career and Technical Center. She is a member of SkillsUSA, works part-time at a local salon, and is actively involved in ministry through her church. Savannah joined YAC because she wanted to be more involved with YOVASO and wanted to bring the program to her community. She successfully started a YOVASO club in 2023 and continues to work to promote driver and passenger safety in her school and community. This is her second year on YAC!
Laila Herron
Prince George High School
Prince George Co.
Laila is a senior at Prince George High School where she is a member of the cross country team and color guard. In her second year as a member of YAC, she's most looking forward to further developing her leadership skills and looking forward to coming up with new ways to teacher her peers about driver and passenger safety. Her favorite sport to play is soccer!
Alonna Reed
Highland Springs High School
Henrico Co.
Alonna is a senior at Highland Springs High School. In her spare time she enjoys painting, reading, taking pictures of nature, and long boarding. She joined YAC because she wants to help her community become more aware of driver and passenger safety. She also hopes to connect with her fellow peers and come together to help more teens understand the importance of safe driving and living healthier lives all around. This is Alonna's second year on YAC.
Chandler Stone
James River High School
Chesterfield Co.
Chandler is a senior at James River High School and this is his second year on YAC. He enjoys playing video games, piano, sports (soccer and track/field) and he also likes to draw. He joined YAC after the awesome time he had at the 2022 YOVASO Retreat! He's most looking forward to having fun and improving himself as a member of YAC.
Gabby Shew
Briar Woods High School
Loudon Co.
Gabby is a junior at Briar Woods High School. She loves fashion, art, and taking care of her guinea pigs. She is a manager for her school's wrestling team and enjoys volunteering at Sprout, a therapeutic riding and education center for disabled children. After attending the 2023 YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat, she decided to apply for YAC to help promote safe driving in her community. This is Gabby's first year on YAC!
Eshani Patel
Grassfield High School
Chesapeake City
Eshani is a junior at Grassfield High School. She loves the color green and is excited to help make a difference as a member of YAC this year!
She's looking forward to the Summer Leadership Retreat, meeting new people, and helping create change on Virginia's roadways. This is Eshani's second year on YAC!
Malik Johnson
Highland Springs High School
Henrico Co.
Malik is a junior at Highland Springs Highschool. He's a part of the Marine Corps Junior ROTC program as well as the wrestling team. This is Malik's second year on YAC, which he joined to gain more knowledge on safe driving and to further develop his leadership and problem-solving skills. This year he's most looking forward to the fun learning activities as well as connecting with his peers.