
The Youth Activation Council (YAC) is a group of young people both with and without intellectual disabilities from across North Carolina that work as agents of change to create more inclusive environments in their schools and communities. The YAC students demonstrate and develop their leadership skills, and play important roles in furthering the mission of Special Olympics and Project UNIFY throughout the state.
The YAC work together, both in person and electronically, to educate, motivate, and activate youth to make a difference in their communities and to advocate for the respect, inclusion, and acceptance of all people.
North Carolina is proud to have two students (Isabella Smith of Lincoln County and Monayzia Taylor of Stanley County) serve on the National Youth Activation Committee.
The National YAC is made up of young people from across the country who provide advice and counsel on strategies designed to reach other youth, engage in and promote Special Olympics activities in their home environments, communicate the initiatives of Special Olympics Project UNIFY, and network with other youth and U.S. Programs on a local, national, and global basis.
2015-2016 YAC
The 2015-2016 YAC is comprised of 23 students from across the state and five of them are Special Olympics NC athletes.
Isabella Smith Gaston County Community College Lincoln County |
Terran Jordan Robbinsville High School Graham County |
Ireland Silvers Robbinsville High School Graham County |
Harrison Mantooth Stuart W. Cramer High School Gaston County |
Jacob Garrison Stuart W. Cramer High School Gaston County |
Erika Crowder Lincolnton High School Lincoln County |
Andi Parker Lincolnton High School Lincoln County |
Laurel Shakespeare Concord High School Cabarrus County |
Avanish Madhavaram Marvin Ridge High School Union County |
Josh Bernadel Lake Norman High School Iredell County |
Korina Kempthorn Lake Norman High School Iredell County |
Grace Baldauf Chapel Hill High School Orange County |
Abigail Walker Swansborro High School Onslow County |
Avrie Melbourn Swansborro High School Onslow County |
Caroline Patton Cary High School Wake County |
Rachel Lamm Cary High School Wake County |
Cody Dixon Alexander Central High School Alexander County |
Stewart Brown Alexander Central High School Alexander County |
Jennie Madden Heide Trask High School Pender County |
Lauren Jurgensen Heide Trask High School Pender County |
Monayzia Taylor Pfeiffer University Stanley County |
Rachel Splawn North Wilkes High School Wilkes County |
Anna Fink Northwest Cabarrus High School Cabarrus County |