Youth Advisory Board

The National Youth Advisory Board (YAB) consists of high school SAVE members from across the country. Serving on the National SAVE Youth Advisory Board takes many hours of service during the school year. On average, most members contribute over 300 hours of time with work for the YAB, work with their chapter, and individual projects or presentations. Serving as a member of this prestigious and select group requires commitment, dedication and sacrifice of time and often other organizational events.

If you would like to be considered for the SAVE YAB Board please complete and return the Youth Advisory Board Application 2013-2014.

Michelle Collie, Historian
School: South Granville High School, NC
Advisor:
Grade: Freshman
Michelle Collie successfully started a SAVE Chapter while in Middle School at East Wake Academy. “SAVE has made a positive difference in my middle school, East Wake Academy, by decreasing bullying.” stated Miss Collie. “Through SAVE I have learned to stand up to bullies and to befriend the victims because no one should go through this alone.” Michelle looks forward to establishing a SAVE Chapter at South Granville High School and serving on the National SAVE Youth Advisory Board. She is personally trying to prevent violence by telling her friends and family about youth safety and bullying. She believes that “students can prevent violence by speaking up when they see or hear things that can escalate to violence.”

Michelle also volunteers with RUFF (Rescue UR Forever Friend). Assisting local animal rescue organizations is a favorite past time. She is also an active member of her youth group at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Youngsville, NC.

PRESS RELEASE: Michelle Collie, Freshman at South Granville High School, Named to National Advisory Board ~ August 23, 2012

Brady Ledbetter, Outreach Coordinator
School: Ira High School, TX
Advisor: Katrina Reynolds
Grade: Junior

Brady Ledbetter is a junior at Ira High school. He has been a member of SAVE for three years, and states “those years have been awesome!” This past year Brady held the position of president and will be the president again this year for his chapter. This position has given him the opportunity to grow more as a person and a leader. The members of Ira SAVE group are very supportive and always ready to help their community. Brady’s hope for this year is to continue to make a difference in his school and community through positive efforts and outreach activities.

This is Brady’s second year serving on the National Youth Advisory Board. As a second year member of the board, he looks forward to guiding the group by demonstrating appropriate leadership skills. His favorite motto is “It only takes one moment to be helpful, one moment to be kind, and one moment to make that first impression, so always strive to make a difference in someone’s life every day.” Brady rates SAVE as one of his greatest experiences, to know that one “Voice can truly make a difference“. SAVE has given Brady knowledge and life skills that he will use for the rest of his life.

Brady is actively involved with his youth group at church. Is a member of the National Honor Society, and likes to help participate in community service projects. Through Brady’s experiences with SAVE he has learned, “you can make a difference and have fun.” Being a member of the Youth Advisory Board has changed his life. Brady says “I’m looking forward to the bright future”.

PRESS RELEASE: Brady Ledbetter, Junior at Ira High School, Named to National Advisory Board ~ August 23, 2012

Jaclyn Morton, President
School: Highland School of Technology, NC
Advisor: Ami Parker
Grade: Senior

Jaclyn Paige Morton is a senior at Highland School of Technology in Gastonia, NC. This is the fourth year that she has been involved with her local SAVE chapter, and her second with the National Youth Advisory Board. During her freshman year of high school (2009-2010), she was the Secretary of her SAVE Chapter and president for the past three years. These positions have taught her tremendous leadership and teambuilding skills that without SAVE she would not have learned.

Besides being actively involved in community service through her SAVE chapter, she is involved in the community outside of school. She is very involved with her church group where she helps build the children’s faith by leading in worship and Vacation Bible School. She volunteers weekly at the local hospital and Holy Angels, a group home for disabled people. Along with working with her church and community, she is employed at Golden Corral. All of these activities and responsibilities help her keep busy and her mind focused on being a good role model for other students.

Through these activities, Jaclyn has gained a passion for preventing violence. She learned the only way to do this is to spread community awareness and offer structured activities in which students, teens and adults can participate, lessening the chances for violent behavior. It is her hope that through future involvement with the YAB, she will gain experiences that she can bring back home to share with others.

PRESS RELEASE: Jaclyn Morton, Senior at Highland School of Technology, Named to National Advisory Board ~ August 23, 2012

Justin Pearson, Vice President
School: Mitchell High School, Memphis, TN
Advisor: Rev. Jason C. Pearson, Sr.; Ms. Sarah Jett
Grade: Senior

Justin J. Pearson is a rising senior at Mitchell High School and this is his first year on the National Youth Board. Justin founded a community service club, H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel) at his High School in an effort to transform the neighborhood into a community. He assisted in organizing and leading a Students Against Violence Everywhere Rally that was attended by several hundred students. Through SAVE, Justin hopes to “prevent violence in the community by educating people of the dangers of violence and engaging people in peaceful actions.” He wishes to impact those in his community by having initiatives that help people who are affected immediately by violence, bullying, domestic and verbal.

Justin has pursued a life of morality and advocacy. This pursuit has afforded him with unprecedented opportunities. Justin has participated with Student Government since the 6th grade. He has been elected President three times. His dedication to justice for others, and leading by example has awarded him two Humanitarian of the Year Awards by the Chantilly Pyramid Organization of Fairfax,VA. Upon Justin’s return to Memphis he became more involved with his aspiration of advocacy. Last year, he was chosen through the Memphis Bar Association to intern for the Honorable Congressman Steve Cohen of the 9th District. One of his most endearing and noteworthy accomplishments was his selection as one of ten Americans to participate in the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship. There he learned about diplomatic relations, social movements and documentary and film.

He is a member of the Mitchell High School’s Debate Team where he has been awarded over 15 Top speaker’s medals in his Debate career. He has risen to the Army Junior R.O.T.C. District Corps G-3, where he is in charge of all operations and training. Justin continues his life work with a mission of making a difference and a lasting impact on this planet we call home.

PRESS RELEASE: Justin Pearson, Senior at Mitchell High School, Named to National Advisory Board ~ August 23, 2012

Anna Tsui, Secretary
School: Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, NC
Advisor: Jim Wise
Grade: Junior

Anna Tsui is a junior at Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This is the third year that she has been involved with her local SAVE chapter, and her first with the National Youth Advisory Board. The time that Anna has spent with SAVE has taught her a tremendous amount about herself and opened the door to many unique and amazing opportunities. SAVE has provided Anna with incredible knowledge and numerous fun memories and she hopes that she can continue to give back to the club for everything that is has done for her.

Besides being involved with her local SAVE chapter, Anna also spends time tutoring other students and volunteering with kids in local elementary schools and activity groups. She is also passionate about art, food, fashion, and anything funny. In fact, Anna’s nickname is “Haha” because she laughs so much. Her philosophy is that life is too short to be lazy and to enjoy every moment because time is precious. Anna is hoping to have a great time in the Youth Advisory Board with the other members while achieving many goals for the success and advancement of SAVE.

PRESS RELEASE: Anna Tsui, Junior at Chapel Hill High School, Named to National Advisory Board ~ August 23, 2012

Alexis VanKoughnett, Public Relations
School: Cuthbertson High School, NC
Advisor: Leah Ross
Grade: Junior

Lexi VanKoughnett is a rising junior at Cuthbertson High School. This is her second year in SAVE and she was recently elected as the Public Relations officer for her chapter. Lexi’s goal is to expand the awareness of SAVE throughout her community. She believes SAVE should be offered in every high school throughout the country. Lexi states, “It’s such a great club because it helps bring awareness to bullying and violence both of which are common in our schools today. Every school should have a zero tolerance for bullying. So many students suffer in silence as a result of bullying and SAVE can help bring awareness and an end to the cycle.”

Lexi has been involved in theatre ever since middle school and this past year she acted in Lovers of Verona, Arabian Nights, and Beauty and the Beast. She is also an Honor student and involved in Beta Club. Lexi’s plan is to attend college following her high school graduation; her dream school is University of North Carolina Wilmington. There, she would like to pursue a degree in Psychology and continue with theatre throughout college. Ultimately, her goal is to pursue a career in counseling because she is passionate about helping people.

Being a part of the SAVE YAB Board is a wonderful opportunity and she is very excited to be a part of it. Lexi feels that a positive community impact can be made when the YABs work together!

PRESS RELEASE: Alexis VanKoughnett, Junior at Cuthbertson High School, Named to National Advisory Board ~ August 23, 2012