Aly

Aly is a seventh-grade student who enjoys reading and playing soccer with her friends. She is also on a dance team.

“I joined Youth Advisory Council because I want,” said Aly.”

Court

Court is a sixth-grade student who likes reading, judo, soccer, school, and spending time with his friends.

“I like to help others have a good hospital experience,” said Court. “It is a fun group!"

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is senior in high school. She loves to draw, bake, and, read, and is an editor on her school’s newspaper and literary arts magazine.

“I think it’s really cool that youth get to have a voice at Children’s,” said Elizabeth. “The Youth Advisory Council is really unique because of this. We get to bring a youth perspective to what’s happening at Children’s, and hopefully we’ll be able to make both present and future patient’s experiences better.”

Erik

Erik is in the eighth grade and enjoys playing sports. When asked about his participation on Youth Advisory Council he said, “I feel it’s important to be on the Youth Advisory Council because I know how it feels to be in the hospital, and now I want to do whatever I can to improve the stay of kids in the hospital.”

Hannah

Hannah has siblings and she likes all kinds of art, especially photography, origami, and using clay to make sculptures and jewelry.

When asked why she chose to join Youth Advisory Council, Hannah said, “ So I can help kids feel safer and more comfortable in the hospital, and have more fun.”

Jacob

Jacob is in the eighth grade. He likes to play with Legos and design and create Lego models. His favorite sport to play is baseball, while he most enjoys watching basketball and hockey. He also spends time playing video games with his friends, and likes to travel and learn about new places.

“I think being on the council is a good way to help kids that have to be at Children’s,” said Jacob. “I want to share ideas to make things look better and ways to help kids in the hospital. I have some of my own experiences to share. I like being able to work with other kids on the council as a group.”

Jasmine

Jasmine is a sophomore in high school. She is a football varsity cheerleader and loves journalism. She has an interest in European history, and is actually taking a college course called Advanced Placement European History.

“I have a voice, now I can use it,” said Jasmine about her role on Youth Advisory Council.

Jesse

Julissa

Julissa is a high school junior. She loves to sing and write music, and she performs in her school plays and musicals. She is also a volleyball player. This year Julissa was elected student body treasurer.

Regarding her role on Youth Advisory Council, Julissa said, "I really wanted to be on the Youth Advisory Council because knowing that I have been able to take part in making a person's stay at the hospital better gives me a real sense of satisfaction."

Kalen

Kalen is a sixth-grade student who is very active in sports. He most enjoys basketball, football, soccer, and golf. He is an avid reader of adventure and mystery stories, and science and history books, and he also enjoys playing video games in his spare time. Kalen is studying French in school and one day hopes to travel to Paris, France.

“As a council member I get the chance to help make a child’s stay more comfortable and less stressful,” said Kalen. “I can share my ideas and listen to other members to come up with solutions. It is also important to let people know why the hospital does not have to be a scary place.”

Nicole

Nicole is a junior in high school and plays on her schools varsity tennis team. She is also an editor for her school paper. Nicole likes to spend her time having fun with friends at school and at church.

“My brother has a severe neurological disability, so I’ve been going to various hospitals with him for a long time,” said Nicole. “So I want to have a say in the treatment of kids at hospitals. YAC allows me to make a difference.”

Olivia

Olivia is in the seventh grade and has many fun hobbies. She is currently on a swim team, and she enjoys drawing and going to her dance lessons. She also loves dogs.

“I wanted to make the hospital a better place and more fun for kids who are staying here,” said Olivia. “I have had a lot of experience and have been in the hospital a lot. I like the council because we can really make a difference.”

Stephen

Stephen is a junior in high school, and is a straight-A student. He likes to play Nintendo video games, read, learn about the human body and law enforcement, and likes to watch movies and television.

When asked about Youth Advisory Council, Stephen said, “Children’s Hospital has done so much for me. I want to give back to them. I also want to help the patients to become more confident and comfortable.”

Will

Will is a sophomore in high school, and is a member of his school’s 3-time defending Minnesota state champion marching band.

“I think that being on Youth Advisory Council has allowed me to express and share some ideas that I have for the hospital,” said Will. “It is also a great way to meet people and hear stories about their health care experiences.”