YEP Class of 2024-2025
My name is Josie Adelman. I am currently in 10th grade at Central Catholic and I am involved in many things like football cheer, golf, basketball, softball, earth club, musical arts, Choir, and ambassadors. I am very involved in community like volunteering at Catholic Heart work camp, soup kitchen and Midwest food bank.
Loella Aurora- Born into an international family in Bloomington. Interested in baking and the medical field. I have a soap business which I started during Covid. A part of different clubs and sports at my school.
My name is Pranav Bhookya, and I am the youngest of three siblings. I'm going to be a junior at Normal Community High School in the fall. I spend a lot of my free time outdoors playing sports, and I also like to hang out with friends. I enjoy reading, such as novels, especially right before bed.
My name is Soumya Boyina and i’m a sophomore at University High School. Outside of school, I am a part of robotics, karate, track, and more. This will be my second year in YEP and i’m super excited to continue this journey with them! I have loved learning about philanthropy and helping out the community through YEP.
Raine Fung- I am a rising senior at UHigh. I am deeply passionate about positively impacting my school and my community. I do so through multiple volunteer injustices, such as YEP, Carle BroMenn, and serving as a tutor at my school.
My name is Ishaan Jha and I have been living in Bloomington, Illinois since 2010. I am currently in tenth grade at Normal Community High school. Outside of school I swim and participate in volunteer groups such as YEP and FBT (For A Better Tomorrow). This is my second year applying for YEP.
Disha Karthik- I will be a sophomore at University High School. I do many extracurricular activities including dance, violin, debate, tennis and track. I volunteer weekly and Carle Bromenn and have also volunteered at Midwest Food Bank and through a group called Ekal. I am an efficient communicator and can work well in a group.
Sushma Kota- Ever since I was young, I’ve always been a big people person by making new friendships and bonds. That’s what’s always inspired me to achieve and be the best I could possibly be. I’m also a really driven person, so whatever I put my mind to, I always work towards that goal every single day. That’s why I joined FBLA, tennis, and Student Council because it fit who I was by giving me the chance to get to know people better and give me more goals to work towards.
My name is Zuzu O’Donoghue and I am 15 years old. I love all things art related and consider myself creative. I go to Central Catholic High School and enjoy being involved in activities such as our school’s musical, play, choir, and various other clubs. I have a passion for helping people in my community by participating in different volunteering events.
My name is Ryan Tamm, and I am a sophomore at Normal Community High School. I am interested in computers and technology as well as maps and weather. I enjoy playing golf, tennis and eSports. I was on the Unit 5 Varsity Mario Kart 8 Deluxe team last fall, and we won the state championship.
Jiya Vyas- I'm a kindhearted and hardworking person, with lots of ambitions of the future. I'd consider myself a people person, and I enjoy playing tennis and hanging out with my friends. I love to help out wherever I can, and am always looking for opportunities to improve. I always show up with a positive attitude and a happy smile :)
Angel Yin- I am a direct, adaptable, and visionary student. Throughout my years in the public school system, the one thing that has remained constant from elementary school to high school is my work ethic. I continuously strive to be organized and lead by example. My willingness to adapt to the world around me and persistent belief that change is just a pathway to where I need to be helps me stay motivated both in school and out to keep moving forward.
My name is Eesha Sareddy, a rising sophomore at Normal Community High School. Through school I am engaged in clubs like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), HOSA, Key Club, Freshman Class Board, and Student Council. Beyond academics, I enjoy spending quality time with friends, traveling, and watching movies. This will be my second year in YEP and i'm looking forward to this upcoming year.
YEP Class of 2023-2024
Hello, My name is Josie Adelman. I will be a freshman attending Central Catholic High School in the fall. I have been involved in many activities at St. Mary's including student council, drama club, girls golf, basketball, softball, volleyball, cheer, and track. I am an outgoing person and I love to volunteer in my community.
My name is Soumya Boyina and will be in ninth grade this year at University High School. Some activities I want to do in the future is speech and debate, NIOS, chess club, math counts, and track and field. Some activities I do outside of school are karate, robotics, and singing classes. This is my first year in YEP and am excited to be a part of this community service group.
I am Kanishka Chauhan who will attend Normal Community Highschool as a 9th grade in this fall 2023. I look forward to volunteering opportunities that I can capture in order to seek responsibility and motivate myself so that I will be prepared for events in my life. I look at myself to be more of a creative person that can almost change anything by coming up with different ways and ideas which are very possible to achieve. I want to participate and do more for our community so not only can I adapt life skills but I can meet different people with different interests.
My name is Amy Dederich and I am a junior at Olympia High School. I play volleyball, soccer, and do dance. I am in many clubs such as student council, stem club, and national honor society. I am preparing for college and looking to study cybersecurity.
Raine Fung- I‘ll be a rising junior at University High School this coming fall. I’m on the swim and soccer teams at my school and I’m also a member of Student Senate. This will be my third year being involved as a YEP cohort as well.
Tess Halperin- I have grown up in Bloomington and I love my hometown. I have volunteered for many different organizations and I really care about this community. My favorite class at BHS has been the Certified Nurse Assistant program at the Bloomington Area Career Center because I like the clinical experiences. I hope to be an elementary school teacher and maybe even return to teach at my alma mater of Washington Elementary.
My name is Ishaan Jha and I have been living in Bloomington, Illinois since 2010. I am currently in eighth grade at Evans Junior High School and will be going to Normal Community High School next year. My hobbies are swimming, writing, and playing video games. I feel strongly about access to educational aids for children in need.
Pearl McDade- For as long as I can remember, I’ve aspired to make a difference. Through my involvement in volunteer work, school activities, the arts, the workforce, and more, I’ve been involved and active in town for as long as I can remember. Having an impact and voice to create positive change around me has always been important to me, something that I’ve been able to do through positions of leadership and volunteering, although I hope to continue to expand upon this in as many ways as possible. Ultimately, I am someone who seeks to learn, improve, and have a positive impact where I can, all things that YEP offers a unique opportunity to engage in.
Blake Meyer- I am a hard working young man that strives to make the best out of the community. I am also a sports lover and athlete. I play baseball, golf, and enjoy watching all sports. I play many video games including Minecraft, and others. Finally, I love to play outside with my friends and ride my bike.
Yajath Narra- I am a hard working young man that strives to make the best out of the community. I am also a sports lover and athlete. I play baseball, golf, and enjoy watching all sports. I play many video games including Minecraft, and others. Finally, I love to play outside with my friends and ride my bike.
My name is Zuzu O'Donoghue, and I am going to be a Freshman at CCHS in the fall. I enjoy helping the community through service projects and volunteering. I am interested in art, reading, writing, and theater. I am an only child and I have a pet cat named Jiji.
My name is Zoe Przybylski, and I will be a senior in Fall of 2023 at University High School in Normal, IL. I am an active member in my school and community through various clubs and groups that encourage people to create and express themselves. I hope that people around me find safety and ask for a helping hand when needed. I love bringing people together along with encouraging those to learn and grow.
My name is Mariana Sanchez and I'm a 17 year old Mexican-American woman. I'm incredibly outgoing and sociable - to the point where some of my friends say it's annoying how many people I know and talk to. I enjoy listening to music, reading, and hanging out with my friends. I am passionate about social issues, have a heart for advocacy, and enjoy connecting with new people and learning about them.
My name is Eesha Sareddy, I am 13 years old, and I am an incoming freshman at Normal Community High School. I am a very extroverted and outgoing person who enjoys meeting and collaborating with new people. I am also a very driven, goal-oriented, and adventurous individual. Finally, I have a passion for community involvement, public speaking, and raising social awareness.
Jiya Vyas- I am a hardworking, decicated student who does their best no matter what is going on in my life. I aim to include everyone and make sure that all tasks at hand get accomplished, but still have fun while doing them. I value trust and integrity, and communication is a key skill of mine. I am a natural leader and I work to inspire for those around me.
YEP Class of 2022-2023
My name is Juliana Turner. Ever since Kindergarten, I have always been a person who enjoys learning from both my education and experiences, and as a student at Normal West High School, I still remain a passionate learner both in class and outside of school who takes school very seriously. I enjoy pursing my many interests in my free time including playing the piano (I've taken lessons for nine years and perform in recitals), reading and researching topics of interest like Ancient Egypt, and writing short stories and novels of my own; in my free time I relish being in the outdoors and studying nature. I am constantly working on a project where I can be creative and dedicate hours of my time to, some of my most recent work including short films, stop motion animations, a novel, and scripts for movies. My greatest passion so far in life is writing, and I enjoy taking challenging English classes and practicing my skills in writing through many kinds of projects with the goal that my career can revolve around writing, creativity and most importantly, helping others in the future.
My name is Shrikar Chennuru, and I attend Normal Community High School. I was born in New Jersey, but I grew up here in Normal, so I have bonded with the community and made friends and connections throughout this area over the past 10 years. I am a very passionate person, and this passion extends to many aspects of my life, namely helping others, school work, and music. I have been involved in many clubs and extracurricular activities throughout my life such as being in the school musical, being captain of the mock trial team, and being selected for the Illinois All-State Choir two years running, and I hope to get more involved in the community in the next few years.
My name is Pranavi Chaganti. I am an active member of Future Business Leaders of America, Speech Team, Key Club, and Oneiro Competition, and have earned leadership positions in these activities as well. In my free time, I enjoy reading, learning about astronomy, catching up on tv shows, and playing badminton. I'm also active in a local service group that serves around the community, and I greatly value the various service opportunities and experiences I've gotten through being a part of it.
My name is Emma Livingston. I am involved in soccer, the student senate, multiple music classes, and other clubs. While I have spent much of my life around the ISU campus, I grew up in the Chicago area, where I was able to help with many impactful groups, similar to YEP. I am currently involved in a program called Future Teachers of America, which helps set up students who are looking to be educators in the future, which is my goal. I love working with others to make an impact when given the chance, especially for youth.
My name is Ronit Rout. I am the type of person to seek out various opportunities to partake in leadership or community related opportunities and gain insight on said opportunities. So when I recently moved a while back, I tried to engage in service activities and volunteering. It is very fulfilling to me when I get to work with others to have a positive impact so this organization is hopefully a next step towards accomplishing those ideals. The experiences that I have had giving a lending hand, even if it comes at a demerit to me, has always been rewarding.
My name is Emma Rink. I have lived in Bloomington since birth and my parents were born and raised here as well. I have played volleyball since 5th grade for both school and a club travel team which has been a big time commitment, but I recently decided to stop playing club volleyball so I could have more time to pursue other opportunities such as this. I devote a lot of time to school work as well and currently maintain a 5.1 GPA. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my cousins, aunt and grandparents here in town, working out and going to concerts.
My name is Lili Leatherman. I attend University High School. I am currently involved an various clubs such as, Girls in STEM, Red Cross club, engineering club and others. I enjoy volunteering within my community because if brings people closer and impacts so many people in positive ways. I am very grateful that the community I am in is so supporting and kind.
I am Satvika Boyina, and I attend University High School. Last year was my first year in YEP, and I loved getting to learn about the grant practice and impact our community in a positive way. Outside of YEP, I am a part of Not In Our Town and other organizations that also help impact our community. I also love to read and paint in my free time!
My name is Raine Fung. I’m currently completing my freshman year at U-High where I’ve been apart of Rotary Interact Club and also Student Senate. I am also on the swim and soccer teams for high school. Outside I play piano and the violin. I am also a member Jack and Jill, inc which also provides volunteer and leadership opportunities.
My name is Blake Meyer. I am a hard working young man that strives to make the best out of the community. I also am a sports lover and athlete. I play baseball, golf, and enjoy watching all sports. I play many video games including Minecraft, and others. Finally, I love to play outside with my friends and ride my bike.
Hello, my name is Amy Dederich. I attend Olympia High School. I am very involved with my school! I play volleyball, soccer, and preform with the dance team. Also, I am the co-president of STEM Club, the Communications Director of Student Council, and a member of the business club.
Hi my name is Yajath Narra. In school I would like to say I am attentive and am eager to learn. Outside of school I am more adventurous and social. In my free time I usually like going out, talking to friends, or try and find new hobbies.
My name is Khushi Galpalli. I love to play the guitar and read books, and well as go thrifting. I am part of the tennis team and the drama club at my high school. I hope as a member of YEP, I am able to help my community and make a difference.
My name is Erin Kim and I am attending University High School. For activities, I play the violin and viola and for sports, I play tennis. In school, I am in several clubs like Red Cross and French. I would love the opportunity to work with other people in my community.
My name is Richa Shukla. I attend University High School. I enjoy math and science classes, and I love to read. I participate in Not In Our School, speech, orchestra, and much more. In my free time, I like reading and painting.
YEP Class of 2021-2022
Hi! My name is Delaney Fitzgerald and I’m a senior at University High School. At school, I am student body secretary, earth club president, and an active member of Girls In Stem, National Honors Society, and Not In Our School. I also play basketball, soccer, and run cross country. This is my first year being a part of YEP and I am excited to get more involved in my community.
Hi! My name is Satvika Boyina and I am currently a junior at University High School. At school I am involved in Student Senate, Speech Team, Girls in Stem, and Math Team. In my free time, I love to read and draw. This is my first year in YEP and I am so excited to volunteer and make an impact in our community!
Hi! My name is Richa Shukla, and I'm a sophomore at University High School. I enjoy playing tennis, listening to lots of music, and painting. This is my first year at YEP, and I joined so I could really make a positive difference in my community.
My name is Lili Leatherman, I am 16 and a Junior at University High School next year. I’m currently on my school’s track and field team. I am also involved in my school’s marching band.This is my first year in YEP and I look forward to being more involved in my community.
Hello! My name is Elia Guerra and I will be a freshmen at Normal Community High School. I enjoy talking to my friends and playing video games I have two siblings that have autism that I am happy to help with, and I am excited to learn about philanthropy and volunteering opportunities in my community.
My name is Raine Fung and I am going to be a freshman at University High school. I enjoy to play sports like swim and soccer. I also play the piano, violin, and I hope to join clubs like Student Senate and Rotary in high school. I’m excited to join YEP to positively change our community.
Hi! My name is Khushi Galpalli and I am a junior at Bloomington High School. I love to play the guitar, hang out with my friends, and participate in drama productions in school. This is my first year in YEP, and I'm excited to learn how to make an impact on our community through this program.
Hi! My name is Yajath Narra. I am a sophomore at University High School. Some things I enjoy are tennis and hanging out with friends. In school, I am a member of the boys tennis team, math team, HOSA, and the class senate. This will be my first year at YEP, and I hope to learn, grow as a person, and make an impact in my community.
My name is Kira Brown and I am a Sophomore at University High School. This is my first year in YEP. I am looking forward to helping out our community and being a part this amazing group.
YEP Class of 2020-2021
Hi! My name is Devan Bishop. I am a Senior in high school. This is my first year doing YEP and I heard about it from one of the mentors, Amanda Cole. I go to school at Normal Community High School. I love swimming and I am a part of multiple competitive swim teams around town. In the little bit of free time that I have I love to read, paint, and all sorts of other crafty things.
My name is Andrew Briggs. I am a Senior at Normal Community High School. I enjoy playing baseball, hanging out with friends, and participating in my youth group. This is my second year in YEP, and I joined YEP because I want to help make an positive impact in my community!
Hi! My name is Rylee Camp, and I am currently a Senior at University High School. At school I am an active member of various choral groups, Student Senate, Speech Team, and Girls in STEM. This is my first year being apart of YEP, and I am super excited to get more involved in my community.
Hi! My name is Somya Jha and I’m a junior at Normal Community High School. I am a member of the theatre and choral programs at my school as well as the Inclusive Education Coalition. This my second year of participating in YEP and making a positive impact in my community through this group!
My name is Jasmyn Jordan, and I am currently a Senior at Normal Community West High School. At school I am an active member of Student Council, National Honors Society, Freshman Mentoring Program, Girls Who Code, and French Club. Outside of school I am a Master Junior Zookeeper at Miller Park Zoo, and a member of SALT Leadership Team at Eastview Christian Church. I like YEP because I enjoy sharing ideas with and hearing from other teens in the community who do not go to school with me. This is my third year of participating in YEP and I can’t wait to see what is in store more me next!
My name is Blake Meyer. I am a freshmen at Normal Community High School. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, paying golf and baseball. I also enjoy being apart of Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, and Class Board! This is my first year in Youth Engaged in Philanthropy. I look forward to improving my communication skills and learn about the grant process.
My name is Parker Meyer. I am a Senior at Normal Community High School. I enjoy hanging out with friends and playing baseball. This is my fourth year in YEP and I am excited to build my professional skills and give back to my community.
My name is Joelle Olabode. I am a senior at Cornerstone Christian Academy. I love to write, read books on economics, social justice, and biographies, as well as spend time with my family discussing biblical and current events. I play percussion with the BNYS and tennis. This is my first year at YEP and I am excited to learn, grow, and make an impact in many people's lives in our community!
Hello! My name is Camryn Reschke and I am a Senior at Normal Community West High School. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, and drawing. I also am in the Mock Trial club at my school. I joined YEP so that I can have a positive and lasting effect on my community.
My name is Brenna Schwamberger and I am a Junior at Normal Community High School. I spend my time doing cross country and track, and I love running with my teammates. I also spend time participating in various school clubs including Generation Connect and Sophomore Class Board. This is my second year at YEP and I can't wait to learn more about our community and meet the members in this club!
My name is Mahnoor Shaheen and I will be a Sophomore at Normal Community High School this fall. I enjoy reading, painting, and playing tennis in my free time. This is my second year as a YEP member and I’m very excited to further understand philanthropy and volunteer in our community!
My name is Reagan Spaid, and I am jSenior at Normal Community High School. In my free time I enjoy running and spending time with friends and family. This will be my third year in YEP, and I love having the opportunity to serve others in my community!
My name is Aashish Thakur and I am currently a Senior at Normal Community high school. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and being very social. Some activities I’m active in are theatre, jazz band, and Boy Scouts, but I am also exited to enrich my growth in YEP. I’m thrilled to be able to give back to the community, and through YEP, learn about the qualities of a successful organization and to enhance my leadership skills.
YEP Class of 2019-2020
Hi! My name is Devan Bishop. I am a junior in high school and I am 16 years old. This is my first year doing YEP and I heard about it from one of the mentors, Amanda Cole. I go to school at Normal Community High School. I love swimming and I am a part of multiple competitive swim teams around town. In the little bit of free time that I have I love to read, paint, and all sorts of other crafty things.
Clare Blaney
My name is Andrew Briggs. I am 16 years old and a sophomore at Normal Community High School. I enjoy playing baseball, hanging out with friends, and participating in my youth group. This is my first year in YEP, and I joined YEP because I want to help make an positive impact in my community!
My name is Grant Buelow, I am a Senior at Normal Community High School. I have lived in all 4 continental time zones, and with every move I have been successful making friends and creating new networks. Helping others, being active in a community, and my athletics are things that are important to me. I am excited about this opportunity because compassion and caring for others are important values to me and my family.
My name is Aubri Carlton and this is my first year in YEP, I will be a Junior in 2019-2020 at Normal Community West High School. My family is passionate about volunteer work so I am excited to serve in YEP and continue this passion personally. I love music, I have been playing guitar since 6th grade. Because of my passion for music I am on the worship team at my church, singing and playing guitar. I am very excited to serve in YEP this year!
My name is Kyle Correll and I'm a sophomore at Normal Community High School. I am involved in many clubs and activities at NCHS including Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Class Board, and tech for the spring musical. I also attend and volunteer at Eastview Christian Church teaching 4th and 5th graders on Sunday mornings and am a part of Service and Leadership Training (SALT) team as well. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family following both of my brother's athletic teams as well as spending time with friends boating on Lake Bloomington, camping and having Nerf gun wars. This is my first year as a YEP member and I am excited to learn more about specific needs of youth in our community and how to best serve them through grants.
Hi! My name is Rylee Camp, and I am currently a junior at University High School. At school I am an active member of various choral groups, Student Senate, Speech Team, and Girls in STEM. This is my first year being apart of YEP, and I am super excited to get more involved in my community.
My name is Griffin Halperin. I am a Senior at Bloomington High School. I serve as Vice President of the drama club and participate in the fall Play and the spring musical. I enjoy biking, walking, playing frisbee, listening to music, and getting coffee. This is my second year in YEP. I joined YEP to learn more about my hometown and make a difference in the community.
Hi! My name is Somya Jha and I’m a sophomore at Normal Community High School. I’m involved in both the choir and theatre programs. This is my first year in YEP, and I joined to become more involved in our community.
My name is Jasmyn Jordan, and I am currently a junior at Normal Community West High School. At school I am an active member of Student Council, National Honors Society, Freshman Mentoring Program, Girls Who Code, and French Club. Outside of school I am a Master Junior Zookeeper at Miller Park Zoo, and a member of SALT Leadership Team at Eastview Christian Church. I like YEP because I enjoy sharing ideas with and hearing from other teens in the community who do not go to school with me. This is my second year of participating in YEP and I can’t wait to see what is in store more me next!
My name is Parker Meyer. I am a Junior at Normal Community High School. I enjoy hanging out with friends and playing baseball. This is my third year in YEP and I am excited to build my professional skills and give back to my community.
Roshan Prakash has been part of YEP for four years. He joined to learn more about philanthropy and to give back to the community. He has been involved in many different YEP activities over the years such as radio interviews,board meetings, and even helped create a YEP video. In the future he hopes to own his own business when he gets older and continue his love for philanthropy.
Hello! My name is Camryn Reschke and I am a junior at Normal Community West High School. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, and drawing. I also am in the Mock Trial club at my school. I joined YEP so that I can have a positive and lasting effect on my community.
My name is Brenna Schwamberger and I am a sophomore at Normal Community High School. I spend my time doing cross country and track, and I love running with my teammates. I also spend time participating in various school clubs including Generation Connect and Sophomore Class Board. This is my first year at YEP and I can't wait to learn more about our community and meet the members in this club!
My name is Mahnoor Shaheen and I will be a freshman at Normal Community High School this fall. I enjoy reading, painting, and playing tennis in my free time. This is my first year as a YEP member and I’m very excited to further understand philanthropy and volunteer in our community!
My name is Reagan Spaid, and I am junior at Normal Community High School. In my free time I enjoy running and spending time with friends and family. This will be my second year in YEP, and I love having the opportunity to serve others in my community!
My name is Ellie Stephan and I am a junior at Normal Community High School. I'm involved with organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America, Student Council, and Key Club board. In my free time, I enjoy playing violin and spending time with friends. I'm excited for this opportunity at YEP to serve the community and learn about philanthropy.
My name is Aashish Thakur and I am currently a Junior at Normal Community high school. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and being very social. Some activities I’m active in are theatre, jazz band, and Boy Scouts, but I am also exited to enrich my growth in YEP. I’m thrilled to be able to give back to the community, and through YEP, learn about the qualities of a successful organization and to enhance my leadership skills.
I am Brian Whetsell, and I am a Senior at Normal Community High School. I am involved in various clubs at school, and I play piano. I joined YEP because I want to have a larger impact on my community. I want everyone to live his or her best life, and by joining a unique organization such as YEP, I am able to help others live the life they deserve.
YEP Class of 2018-2019
Hi! My name is Calis Lim and I’m a senior at U-High. In my free time I love playing tennis, baking, watching movies, reading books and volunteering. This is my second year as a YEP member, and I returned this year because I truly believe in what we do. What I love about YEP is that we have the ability to positively impact our community. I believe that everyone deserves an equal chance, and by giving to the community, we can give everyone that chance. I have been very fortunate to be a part of this organization!
My name is Divya Bhookya and I’m a Junior at NCHS. I enjoy dancing and hanging out with friends. This is my second year in YEP and I like how I am able to help the community and youth.
Hello! My name is Claire Meyer and I am a senior at Normal Community High School. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, and shopping. I also enjoy staying involved in many different school activities such as Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Heath Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and National Honor Society (NHS). This is my fourth year in Youth Engaged in Philanthropy. What I enjoy the most about YEP is how we are able to make a difference in our community that affects positively on people's lives.
Hi! My name is Kavya Sudhir and I will be a senior at Normal Community High School. This will be my third year in YEP and I'm excited to return another year to enhance my communication skills along with learn more about the many helpful organizations in our community. In my free time I like to play tennis and hang out with friends and family.
My name is Maddison Murphy and I am a senior at University High School. In my free time I enjoy playing golf and spending time with friends and family. This is my third year in YEP and I am very excited to spend the remainder of my high school career participating in it. I’ve cherished my time in YEP because it has opened my eyes to the needs of other youth and taught me how strong of an impact philanthropy has in our community.
I am Brian Whetsell, and I am a Junior at Normal Community High School. I am involved in various clubs at school, and I play piano. I joined YEP because I want to have a larger impact on my community. I want everyone to live his or her best life, and by joining a unique organization such as YEP, I am able to help others live the life they deserve.
My name is Griffin Halperin. I am a junior at Bloomington High School. I serve as Vice President of the drama club and participate in the fall Play and the spring musical. I enjoy biking, walking, playing frisbee, listening to music, and getting coffee. This is my first year in YEP. I joined YEP to learn more about my hometown and make a difference in the community.
My name is Emma Winterland, I am a junior at Cornerstone Christian Academy and this is my first year as a part of YEP. I enjoy golf and playing guitar in my free time. I joined YEP so I can make a positive impact in our community.
My name is Jake Simonson. I am a senior at Normal Community High School. This is my second year in YEP and I am very excited to see how this organization can make a difference this year!!
Reagan Spaid is a sophomore at Normal Community High School. Reagan started running when she was in sixth grade, and has enjoyed participating in cross country and track ever since. While enjoying these two sports, she also has a love for school, especially English. Reagan enjoys spending time with her family of six people, plus a dog. She first realized there was a huge need right in her community, when her family started to foster children. Ever since, Reagan has had a passion for volunteering and caring for others.
My name is Mason Runkel and I am going to be a senior at University High School. In my free time I love playing tennis, going to Cardinals games, or babysitting! This is my first year in YEP and I joined so I can make a difference in the community and make lasting friendships with other kids who want to make a difference!
My name is Grant Buelow, I am a Junior at Normal Community High School. I have lived in all 4 continental time zones, and with every move I have been successful making friends and creating new networks. Helping others, being active in a community, and my athletics are things that are important to me. I am excited about this opportunity because compassion and caring for others are important values to me and my family.
I am Abby Calhoun, a senior Normal West high school. I volunteer at 2nd Presbyterian church with the junior high youth group. I love photography, cooking, traveling, volunteering, baking, binge watching Netflix, and going to Fusion Brew.
My name is Parker Meyer. I am a Sophomore at Normal Community High School. I enjoy hanging out with friends and playing baseball. This is my second year in YEP and I am excited to build my professional skills and give back to my community.
My name is Elizabeth Raycraft and I will be a junior at University High School this fall. I am active in student government and the cross-country team. I am looking forward to being part of the YEP program, learning valuable leadership skills, and contributing to the betterment of our community.
My name is Jasmyn Jordan, and I am currently a sophomore at Normal Community West High School. At school I am an active member of Student Council, Sophomore Board, Girls Who Code, and French Club. Outside of school I am a Master Junior Zookeeper at Miller Park Zoo, and a member of SALT Leadership Team at Eastview Christian Church. I like YEP because I enjoy sharing ideas with and hearing from other teens in the community who do not go to school with me. This is my second year of participating in YEP and I can’t wait to see what is in store more me next!
Hi! My name is Muskan Shah and I am a senior at Normal Community High School. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends and family and volunteering. This will be my third year in YEP! YEP has taught me all about the grant process and has helped me build professional skills, all while giving me an opportunity to give back to my community.
Ayushi Shah
Roshan Prakash
YEP Class of 2017-2018
Abbey Nettleton
Anaiah Simmons
Ayushi Shah
Brian Whetsell
Calis Lim
Cheyenne Petersen
Claire Crabill
Claire Meyer
Divya Bhookya
Emma Watson
Grace Gauley
Jake Simonson
Jade Fung
Jasmyn Jordan
Justin Bean
Kavya Sudhir
Kellie Stempinski
Maddison Murphy
Muskan Shah
Parker Meyer
Roshan Prakash
Sarah Leddick
Thriambak Giriprakash
Vivian Hedican
YEP Class of 2016-2017
Justin Bean
Lauryn Cross
Alexandra Eisenreich
Grace Gauley
Thriambak Giriprakash
James Han
Elissa Howard
Rohan Kamatar
Sarah Leddick
Claire Meyer
Maddison Murphy
Cheyenne Petersen
Caroline Pickering
Roshan Prakash
Bhavana Ravala
Annie Rink
Ayushi Shah
Muskan Shah
Anaiah Simmons
Kavya Sudhir
YEP Class of 2016-2017
Justin Bean
Kaylee Birlingmair
Cayla Clauss
Isabel C. Dawson
Patrick Deneen
Zach Hall
Lexi Jordan
Sarah Leddick
Taylor Lindsey
Alyssa Licudine
Claire Meyer
Kylie Personette
Caroline Pickering
Christian Prenzler
Julia Ridgway
Ceil Steinbacher-Kemp
YEP Class of 2014-2015
Justin Bean
Radiance Campbell
Haley Carter
Colleen Connelly
Kylie Cottone
Isabel Dawson
Sarah Filosa
Viraat Goel
Zach Hall
Jade Hassebrock
CeCe Hill
Eli Hill
Kayla Huynh
Sarah Leddick
Taylor Lindsey
Bronzi Owens
Day Owens
Kylie Personette
Christian Prenzler
Meghan Schenk
Tanvi Singh
Ceil Steinbacher-Kemp
Maddy To
YEP Founding Class of 2013-2014
Heather Arnold
Justin Bean
Caitlin Boyle
Kylie Cottone
Isabel Dawson
Anushka Desai
Sarah Filosa
Ashlyn Gramm
Reid Gramm
Megan Helms
CeCe Hill
Eli Hill
Bergen Jome
Nitesh Kumar
Morgan Lemmel
Phillip Quinn
Eric Reichelt
Ashka Shah
Tanvi Singh
Ceil Steinbacher-Kemp
Maddy To
Lucy Williamson
Lauren Wombles
