23 Young Adults from 10 Jurisdictions Join to Promote Interests of Youth in Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services announced the appointments of new and returning members to the Maryland Youth Advisory Council. The Council addresses issues impacting youth and young adults in Maryland by working to provide legislative recommendations, spreading public awareness of youth policy issues, and serving as a liaison between young people in Maryland and policymakers in their communities.
“Our youth are our future, and it’s important for them to know that their voice is important,” said Glenn Fueston, the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. “The council gives young people in Maryland a seat at the table in the legislative process and provides an outlet to share their unique perspective on public policy.”
The members of the Maryland Youth Advisory Council are appointed by Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President William C. Ferguson IV, and Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adrienne Jones. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services appoints other council members nominated by the Maryland Association of Student Councils, the University System of Maryland Student Council, Maryland Higher Education Commission Student Advisory Council, and the Association of Local Management Boards.
This year’s members represent Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Caroline County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Harford County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Wicomico County. They are:
- Melany Benites, Clinton: Melany is a junior at Oxon Hill High School. Melany was nominated by the Maryland Association of Student Councils and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year will be Melany’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Ricky Bridges, Reisterstown: Ricky is a junior at Franklin High School. Ricky was appointed by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adreinne Jones. The 2021-2022 council year will be Ricky’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Shelbi Briggs, Federalsburg: Shelbi is a sophomore at Colonel Richardson High School. Shelbi was appointed by the President of the Senate William C. Ferguson IV. The 2021-2022 council year will be Shelbi’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Meghna Chandrasekaran, Owings Mills: Meghna is a freshman at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Meghna was appointed by the President of the Senate William C. Ferguson IV. The 2021-2022 council year will be Mebhna’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Elijah Cockey, Tyaskin: Elijah is a sophomore and is homeschooled. Elijah was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan. The 2021-2022 council year will be Elijah’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Issac Colbert, Annapolis: Issac is a junior at Anne Arundel Community College. Issac was nominated by the Association of Local Management Boards, and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year will be Issac’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Samuel Desai, Potomac: Samuel is a junior at Richard Montgomery High School. Samuel was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan. The 2021-2022 council year will be Samuel’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Maja Durkovic, Baltimore: Maja is a junior at Eastern Technical High School. Maja was nominated by the Maryland Association of Student Councils and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year will be Maja’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Dhruv Girish, Urbana: Dhruv is a sophomore at Urbana High School. Dhruv was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan. The 2021-2022 council year will be Dhruv’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Henry Meiser, Solomons: Henry is a junior at St. Mary’s Ryken High School. Henry was nominated by the Maryland Association of Student Councils and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year is Henry’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Rosalind Marfo, Reisterstown: Rosalind is a freshman at University of Maryland College Park. Rosalind was appointed by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adrienne Jones. The 2021-2022 council year is Rosalind’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Shreeyam Mishra, Abingdon: Shreeyam is a junior at Harford Community College. Shreeyam was nominated by the Maryland Higher Education Commission Student Advisory Council, and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year is Shreeyam’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Derek Mu, Rockville: Derek is a freshman at Montgomery Blair High School. Derek was appointed by the President of the Senate William C. Ferguson IV. The 2021-2022 council year will be Derek’s first year as a member of the Council.
- James Mu, Rockville: James is a senior at Thomas S. Wootton High School. James was appointed by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adrienne Jones. The 2021-2022 council year is James’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Marie-Clare Ofoegbu, Falling Waters, WV: Marie-Clare is a senior at Stevenson University. Marie-Clare was nominated by the Maryland Higher Education Commission Student Advisory Council, and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year is Marie-Clare’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Jason Park, Timonium: Jason is a junior at Gilman School. Jason was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan. The 2021-2022 council year is Jason’s first second as a member of the Council.
- Lauren Raskin, Brookeville: Lauren is a senior at Poolesville High School. Lauren was nominated by the Maryland Association of Student Councils and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year is Lauren’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Sumiya Rahaman, Westminster: Sumiya is a junior at Westminster High School. was nominated by the Association of Local Management Boards, and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year will be Sumiya’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Emily Shrieves, Lusby: Emily is a sophomore at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Emily was nominated by the Association of Local Management Boards, and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year will be Emily’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Jayden Shiflett, Glen Burnie: Jayden is a junior at Old Mill High School. Jayden was appointed by the President of the Senate William C. Ferguson IV. The 2021-2022 council year is Jayden’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Hailey Smith, Bowie: Hailey is a freshman at Bowie High School. Hailey was appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates Adrienne Jones. The 2021-2022 council year will be Hailey’s first year as a member of the Council.
- Salvatore Suarez, Reno, NV: Salvatore is a senior at Goucher College. Salvatore was nominated by the Maryland Higher Education Commission Student Advisory Council, and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year is Salvatore’s second year as a member of the Council.
- Yashita Thalla, Frederick: Yashita is a freshman at Urbana High School. Yashite was nominated by the Association of Local Management Boards, and appointed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. The 2021-2022 council year will be Yashita’s first year as a member of the Council.
The Maryland Youth Advisory Council was established in 2008 to ensure that Maryland youth are given the opportunity to provide feedback and recommendations regarding public policies and programs affecting their futures.
Council members must be 14 to 22 years of age and members are required to serve a two-year term. The Council year begins on September 1 and ends August 31 of the following year.
All Council meetings will be held virtually unless otherwise noted. All meetings are open to the public. If you plan to attend a meeting, please notify Christina Drushel Williams no later than the Monday prior to the meeting at christina.drushel@maryland.gov or 410-697-9242.
