YOUTH LEADERSHIP
COUNCIL

Hello! My name is Malia Burgos (she/her) and I attend New Britain High School. I have been part of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for 3 years. My favorite part of this group has been making a positive impact on my community, followed by meeting amazing people in the world of prevention. I joined YLC because I wanted to take a bigger part in the development of my community. When I’m not taking part in the council, I enjoy playing varsity basketball and softball for New Britain High School Golden Hurricanes. In the future, I would like to pursue a career in the medical field. It is important to “Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi

Hello! My name is Alanise (Aj) (They/Them) and I attend New Britain High School. I have been a part of the Youth Leadership Council for about two years. My favorite parts of this group have been going to CADCA and MCing some of our events. I love volunteering at events, like the annual Senior Citizen prom. I joined because I want to make a change in our community and educate youth about substance use. When I’m not taking part in the YLC, I dance at the YWCA School of Dance. I’ve been dancing for 12 years and I’m also on their competition team. I’m a Cane*ette in the New Britain Marching Band. I’m a part of Madrigals and Show Choir as well. In the future, I want to go to college to either be a lawyer or study education. A quote I live by is "If you can’t love yourself, how are you gonna love somebody else?" - RuPaul

Hello! My name is Daniel (He/Him) and I attend New Britain High School. I have been a part of the YLC For 5 years now! I joined Youth Leadership in order to be an example for my peers, most importantly, my peers who smoke or partake in risky substances and don’t understand the negative effects of using before the legal age. I enjoy playing piano, performing on stage in our school’s musical, playing varsity and club volleyball, and hanging out with my amazing friends (I also love pizza!). In the future, I hope to attend college in Boston and become a music therapist or enter the field of social work. “At the end of the day the decisions we make at a young age can affect us for the rest of our lives so try to make the right one and always be kind!”

Hello! My name is Marquise (he/him) and I attend E.C. Goodwin Tech. I have been part of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for 3 years. My favorite part of this group has been being a lot more involved in my community on a personal level. I joined Youth Leadership because a leader is something that I strive to be. When I’m not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy skateboarding, working out, listening to music, and playing all different kinds of sports, even the ones I'm horrible at. In the future, I hope to be an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems) Technician as well as a landlord. While doing this, I also hope to keep on pursuing my passion for youth prevention. I’d like to think that change doesn’t just happen, you make it happen.

Hello! My name is Amelia (she/her) and I attend Slade Middle School. I have been a part of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for a few weeks. I joined Youth Leadership because I wanted to help my peers. When I’m not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy playing basketball, drawing, and playing piano and clarinet. I also am learning French in an online course. In the future, I would like to attend Quinnipiac University, play in the WNBA, become a doctor, and live a nice long life. A quote I live by is “People will hate you, rate you, shake you, and break you. But how strong you stand is what makes you.”- Lebron James

Hello! My name is Israel Dandrade (he/him) and I attend New Britain High School. I have been part of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for almost 4 years.  My favorite parts of this group have been developing relationships with different people and becoming more educated on subjects that intertwine with my everyday life. I joined Youth Leadership at the suggestion of one of the directors of the Youth Leadership Council. When I’m not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy playing sports, such as football and basketball, as well as spending time with my family. In the future, I would like to own a successful business, help the people of my community, and keep on playing the sports that I love most.

Hello! My name is Blitz (he/it) and I attend the CREC Academy of Science and Innovation. I have been part of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for 2 years. My favorite part of this group has been being a key part of making my community alcohol and drug-free, especially among my peers. I joined Youth Leadership because, as a leader, I wanted to bring awareness about the easy access to drugs in our community to our youth. When I’m not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy listening to music, drawing, writing, and working out. In the future, I want to pursue a higher form of education at college. “There is no beauty without some strangeness." - Edgar Allan Poe

Hello! My name is Analise (she/her) and I attend New Britain High School. I have been a part of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for 4 years. My favorite parts of this group have been the relationships I formed and the opportunities to give back offered through it. I joined YLC because I believe that youth in New Britain deserve to be represented in the decisions that affect them most. I enjoy playing volleyball and golf, volunteering as a student-teacher and dancing competitively at the YWCA School of Dance, and spending time with my family, especially my two dogs, Obi and Gus! In the future, I hope to attend Brown University and study as a Pre-Med student to eventually enter the field of medicine and continue helping others! "Treat people with kindness." - Harry Styles

Hello! My name is Olivia (she/they) and I attend New Britain High School. I have been part of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for almost 2 years.  My favorite part of this group has been seeing the change in not only my community but personally among my peers as well. I joined Youth Leadership because I wanted to create a better environment here in New Britain while also making memories with new friends that I will cherish forever. When I’m not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy competing in competitive dance competitions, singing, writing, and playing volleyball. In the future, I want to be a psychiatrist for kids and teens in the state of Connecticut. Never forget that “You are your own community.”

Hello! My name is Matthew (he/him) and I attend E.C. Goodwin Tech. I have been a part of the Youth Leadership Council for 9 months. My favorite parts of this group have been helping the community. I joined the YLC to host events to help New Britain. When I'm not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy playing baseball, basketball, riding my bike, and hanging out with friends. In the future, I would like to make it far in baseball and have a successful job. "Life is Roblox" - DJ Khaled

Hello! My name is Joseph (he/him) and I attend the CREC Academy of Science and Innovation. I have been a part of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) for 3 years now. My favorite part of this group session has been problem-solving and working towards ending drug use for minors. I joined the YLC because my mom suggested it. When I'm not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy working out, playing soccer, and playing video games. In the future, I hope to enlist in the Marines. "Get up. Put in the work. No motivation. Only discipline."

Hello! My name is Jermarie (her/they) and I attend Slade Middle School. I have been part of the Youth Leadership Council for 9 months. My favorite part of this group has been the different activities we do in the community and all the new people I get to meet. I also like giving back to my community. I joined the YLC to help out my peers in New Britain to stay drug free. In my spare time, I'm also a part of the YWCA's STRIVE Program and am on the Student Council at Slade. In the future, I will play high school volleyball and hopefully do well enough academically to go to college. "You can't control nobody actions, loyalty comes from the heart"

Hi, my name is Hannah (she/her) and I attend New Britain High School. I've been a part of the Youth Leadership Council for 9 months. My favorite parts of this group have been presenting at the Governor's Prevention Partnership at CCSU, meeting new people, and making new friends. The Back to School Carnival was fun too! I joined because I was recommended by my guidance counselor and wanted to develop leadership skills. When I'm not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy playing travel softball and playing softball/volleyball at NBHS.

Hello! My name is Ciara (she/her) and I attend New Britain High. I have been part of the Youth Leadership Council since Summer 2023. My favorite parts of this group have been attending events, helping our community, and making new memories. I joined the YLC because I wanted to help my peers around me and my community. When I'm not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy painting, being with my family, and trying new places to eat. In the future, I want to go to college, get my dream job working with little kids, and be able to take care of my parents when they're older. "Believe you can and you're halfway there."

Hello! My name is Jada (she/they) and I attend New Britain High School. I have been a part of the Youth Leadership Council since summer of 2023. My favorite parts of this group have been going bowling with the summer group, golfing at Stanley Golf Course, and the Back to School Bash. I joined YLC because I wanted to make a change in my community. I want youths to know taking substances are bad and destructive. In my spare time I enjoy playing softball, volleyball, marching band at NBHS, going out, and playing the drums. In the future I want to become a criminal lawyer. My dream colleges are Yale and Harvard. I also hope to stick with my sports and drumming. "If you lose who you are, what do you have" - Marilyn Monroe

Hello! My name is Amanda (she/her) and I attend Slade Middle School. I am a new member of the Youth Leadership Council (YLC), meaning that I am excited for what's to come.  My favorite part of this group so far has been all of the community events we’ve hosted. I joined Youth Leadership because I wanted to help my peers better themselves mentally and emotionally. When I’m not taking part in the YLC, I enjoy playing flag football and working out. In the future, I want to work for the FBI. I cannot wait to see all of the amazing work we get to do while being a part of this group.