Local youth appointed to State Advisory Council

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Human Rights is proud to announce the members of the 2011 – 2012 State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC).  The following youth will serve through June 30, 2012.

Mimi Barney, Bettendorf; Annika Bergstrom, Iowa City; Bradlee Birchansky, Cedar Rapids; Jacob Bundt, Churdan; Jeffrey Critchlow, Carlisle; Hannah Cross, Riceville; Zack Elsner, Boone; Umar Farooq, Ames; Khayree Fitten, Mt. Pleasant; Raeann Hanlon, Churdan; Skyler Hill-Norby, Alton; Eli Kirschbaum, Bettendorf; Lilly Lenning, Fort Dodge; Jessa Marfal, Des Moines; Jacob Mayer, Lake City; Quincy McGee, Cedar Rapids; Blake McGhghy, Keokuk; Vanessa Shearer, Keokuk; Zachary Stephenson, Polk City; Alexia Stone, Grinnell; Natalie Te Grootenhuis, Hospers; Olivia VanAntwerp, Cedar Rapids.

SIYAC was established to foster communication among a group of engaged youth and the governor, General Assembly, and state and local policymakers. SIYAC members range in age from 14 to 20 and are expected to identify issues and engage their communities to promote youth development and involvement. In the last year, SIYAC accomplished the following:

• Advocated on behalf of youth to the General Assembly and Governor's Office including, but not limited to, supporting the passage of an act concerning the protection of students from concussions and other brain injuries (Section 280.13C).
• Created a youth-led tobacco and alcohol audit toolkit that has been distributed statewide.
• Partnered with the Department of Education's Team Nutrition and developed posters promoting healthy nutrition choices that are being distributed to all school districts.
• Worked with partnering organizations to: review grants provided to youth organizations, create and sustain youth-led service organizations (with the creation of a “how-to” toolkit), and participate on the Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) Planning Coalition.
• Conducted service projects on MLK Day and GYSD including planting trees at Des Moines Public Schools.

SIYAC members benefit from leadership and civic engagement experience, training seminars, and opportunities to interact with statewide organizations, communities, legislators, and youth across the state. Operating under the umbrella of the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development council, SIYAC was established by code in 2009.

For more information visit the

SIYAC website or contact the SIYAC coordinator via email at

SIYAC@iowa.gov.