Meet our Trainers
Regional Trainers are college students and young professionals across the Commonwealth who serve as school mentors and lead the Summer Leadership Retreat.
Mentors and Leaders for Youth Traffic Safety!
Regional Trainers are college students who are former YOVASO club leaders. They work part-time and are a key component to keeping YOVASO exciting and fun for youth and teens. Some of their tasks include assisting with safety campaigns, planning the Summer Leadership Retreat, working on special projects, representing YOVASO at school events, and assisting with office tasks. Regional Trainers also have the opportunity to represent YOVASO at state and national conferences.
The Regional Trainer program offers an opportunity for student leaders to continue developing their skills as advocates for social change with a focus on traffic safety. These regionally based trainers enable YOVASO to provide hands-on assistance and trainings to schools statewide. In addition, trainers serve as role models and mentors for high and middle school youth leaders.
Radford University
Callie is in her eleventh year at YOVASO as a Regional Trainer. She’s a 2017 graduate of Radford University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition to her role at YOVASO, Callie is a fourth grade teacher at Wasena Elementary School in Roanoke, Virginia. She is a 2013 graduate of Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount, where she was active with her school’s YOVASO club and a member of the Youth Advisory Council.
University of Mary Washington
Shaun is a 2022 graduate of the University of Mary Washington where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. In the spring of 2023, he completed his Master's of Education from UMW and is starting his first year with Stafford County Public Schools as a Drama Teacher this fall. Shaun is 2019 graduate of Amherst County High School where he was an active member of the YOVASO/YADAPP club for five years. Shaun served on the Youth Advisory Council for three years and is in his fifth year working as a Regional Trainer.
Virginia Tech
Sydney is a senior at Virginia Tech were she is majoring in Biomedical Sciences. She is a 2020 graduate of Liberty High School in Bedford County where she was an active member of the YOVASO club during all four years. Sydney was also on the Youth Advisory Council for two years. This is her second year as a Regional Trainer.
Halifax Community College
Cadence is in her first year at YOVASO as a Regional Trainer. She attends Halifax Community College in Weldon, North Carolina, where she is studying dental hygiene. In addition to her role at YOVASO, Cadence works as a server at a restaurant and is the assistant girl's soccer coach at Mecklenburg County High School. She is a 2022 graduate of the former Park View High School (now Mecklenburg County High School), where she was an active member of the YOVASO club and a member of the statewide Youth Advisory Council.
Radford University Carilion
Payton is in her second year at YOVASO as a Regional Trainer. She is a 2022 graduate of Jefferson Forest High School where she was an active member of the YOVASO club throughout her four years and a member of the statewide Youth Advisory Council for YOVASO. Payton attends Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, Virginia where she is studying nursing. In addition to being a Regional Trainer, she works on a NeuroTrauma PCU at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Request More Information
For more information on applying to be a Regional Trainers please contact our program manager, Mary King.