Applications for the 2024-2025 Youth Advisory Council are NOW OPEN! Scroll down to find the links for the application & letter of recommendation!
Youth Advisory Council
Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is made up of extraordinary student leaders who are dedicated to leading the change for young driver and passenger safety.
Leading the Change for Young Driver and Passenger Safety
What is the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) ?
The YOVASO Youth Advisory Council is a group of exemplary students who are passionate about highway safety and the well-being of their peers. YAC students are leaders in their high schools who are selected to work with YOVASO on a statewide level to bring about positive changes in driver and passenger safety. YAC students are responsible for developing and delivering programs and messages that will engage their peers and influence them to be safer drivers and passengers. As youth advisors, the members keep YOVASO youth-led and are an important part of the program’s mission.
What does YAC do?
•Meet monthly, either in-person or via online conference calls to discuss and work on statewide youth traffic safety initiatives.
•Help develop ideas, materials, and incentive items for campaigns, programs, retreats, and social media messaging.
•Participate in state and national highway safety conferences and other events that promote YOVASO at the local, state, and national level.
•Serve as positive role models in their schools and communities and uphold the values of YOVASO.
•Actively participate in their school’s YOVASO or prevention club.
•Help lead YOVASO campaigns and activities in their schools and communities
•Help plan and prepare for the YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat.
•Serve as youth leaders for the Summer Leadership Retreat.
How can I become a YAC member?
Applications are now OPEN! Both the Application & Letter of Recommendation are due on August 11th at 11:59pm. Click the links below to apply!
Meet the 2023-2024 Youth Advisory Council
Cassidy Turpen
Hylton High School
Prince William County
Hi, I'm Cassidy Turpen and I am a senior at Hylton High School in Prince William County. I have two dogs and I spend a lot of my time volunteering. In my free time, I enjoy art, reading, photography, and playing softball. I am looking forward to learning new skills and being a part of new experiences with YOVASO! This is my third year as a member of YAC.
Taylor Holland
Hanover High School
Hanover County
Hi my name is Taylor Holland. I am excited to help encourage teens to take driving safety seriously. I am currently in a club at my school called HOSA. At my school we have the Health Science Specialty Center and HOSA is the club for that program. I have also been playing guitar since I was 8 years old. As a member of YAC I am excited to learn new social skills and to do fun activities with all the YAC members.
Jaxon Tyler
Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School
Prince William Co.
Jaxon goes to Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School. He likes biking and doing different sports passively such as: volleyball, badminton, and ultimate frisbee. This is Jaxon's second year on YAC and he's most looking forward to working with his peers and VSP to promote driver and passenger safety! This school year I’m involved with multiple student voice and advocacy clubs, some of these being: S.V.C. (Student Voice Committee) and S.A.V.E. (Students Against. Violence Everywhere). I am really excited to get to know the new YAC members and for the retreat.
Ayami Shropshire
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Fairfax County
I attend taekwondo classes during the week along with a Drama club I act and choreograph for and I also volunteer at my local library monthly. I am most excited to meet other people and get to know them and I am very excited to be given a chance to promote safe driving and practice safe driving.
Chaisley Snodgrass
Mecklenburg County High School
Mecklenburg County
I play softball and volleyball for my school and I play travel softball for TopHand Storm. I’m also involved in my church, Clearview. This year I’m most excited for the retreat so I can make new friends and learn more about leadership development
Soren Pantle
Cosby High School
Chesterfield County
I play soccer, run track, and play football for my high school. When I’m not doing sports, I love being outside—whether it’s hiking, fishing, or just going for a run. I’m really excited about the JMU summer program, especially for the chance to help more teen drivers stay safe on the roads.
Gabby Conners
Halifax County High School
Halifax County
I am a senior at halifax county high school and am involved in YOVASO, HOSA, soccer, and my superintendent’s student advisory council! Outside of school I like to volunteer at a local family and immediate care with the nurses there. I am most excited to learn public speaking and leadership skills this year as a YAC member while promoting safe driving!
Maelyn Freshour
Halifax County High School
Halifax County
I am the president of my school’s National Honors Society Branch as well as the president of my school’s Peer Mediation organization. I am apart of the varsity ace, soccer, and swim teams. I also sing for my church choir and am a deacon within my church. I am most excited for all of the friends I will make being a part of YAC! I am also excited to help plan the retreat and share the safe driving message with so many people!!
Aaliyah Minter
Cumberland County High School
Cumberland County
Aaliyah is a student at Cumberland High school who is a member of the volleyball, basketball, cross country, and indoor track team. She is also involved in her schools FBLA, SGA, praise dance, and choir singing clubs. She is excited to grow as a leader and learn more about driving safety as well as teaching others ways to be a safe driving advocate.
Kora Bozkurt
Atlee High School
Hanover County
Hi, I’m Kora! I proudly attended Atlee High School in Mechanicsville, VA as a junior! So far throughout high school I have been honored to be a part of : two advanced choirs, (one being show choir) 7th up, DECA, BETA club, and National Honors society. I am honored to be a part of YOVASO this year!! I am looking forward to learning numerous leadership skills, making life long friends and memories, and promoting YOVASO in the best possible way. Let’s get this party started!!