About Tyler

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 9

School: University High School

Subgroup: Podcast

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I first heard about the Youth Health Action Team (YHAT) through my school counselors, and after looking into it, I decided to join. I wanted to help raise awareness about the mental and physical health challenges facing young people in our community and contribute to meaningful solutions. Being part of YHAT has allowed me to collaborate with like-minded peers, develop leadership skills, and build confidence in my ability to create positive change.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I am a competitive swimmer, and I like to play video games and read books.

About Isis

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 11

School: Marana High

Subgroup: Media (Poster/Promo)

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

Because I thought it would be a great opportunity to join an organization with a mission that I believed in and wanted to be involved in. It has benefited by introducing me to a wide variety of people and allowed me to bring my drawings to more people.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I’m a big movie-phile and avid reader. When I’m not reading every book I can get my hands on I’m watching movies and video essays of them. I’m the President of the GSA club at my school and a member of Upward Bound. I want to go to school for Political Science and hopefully become a politician so I can help people (my hero is Kamala Harris) right now I’m working on becoming a journalist so I can work on everything I need to know before fully going into politics.

About Gidget

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 11

School: University High School

Subgroup: Podcast

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT to spread awareness on mental health, connect with my community and learn more about how I can meet their needs, and for the opportunity to work with other people my age who share my interests. It has benefited me in many ways so far by giving me a community, providing me resources to actually make a difference, and simply showing me everyone’s experiences and paths through life.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

Outside of school and YHAT, I run cross country and track, I sew clothes, and I like to draw. In the future, I hope to go to medical school and eventually become a pediatrician.

About Crystal

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 10

School: University High School

Subgroup: Media (Poster/Promo)

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT to help remove stigma surrounding mental health. After I joined YHAT, I've been able to share my thoughts, ideas, and experiences with people and contribute to our goal through promotion and art.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I like painting, sketching, watching movies/shows and swimming in my free time. I think nature and science are interesting and I'm thinking of pursuing a STEM career.

About Maisam

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 11

School: University High School

Subgroup: Website

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT to learn more about mental health's connection to neuroscience studies and education. I want to pursue education reform through neuroscience, so learning about teen mental health and conditions can help contribute to that effort.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I am affiliated with Boy Scouts of America, currently pursuing leadership training and working towards my Eagle Scout project. I am also a pianist who's played for 13 years, a creative writer who writes narratives within a mental landscape, and a gamer who enjoys playing games like Pokémon and Honkai: Star Rail. I work towards helping students and the community through tutoring, career advising, and handing out food at iftar during Ramadan.

About Marina

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 12

School: Sahuarita High School

Subgroup: Website

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT because i want to show youth that there really are people who care about them, and that they can advocate for themselves through their peers. This group has benefited me through its community, and how well we're able to work together to support one goal. I like being active in a group that combines individual creativity with group work, and applying that work helps ourselves and our community.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I'm a swimmer, a reader, and a sewer. I'm often hiking in the mountains, exploring caves and cliff jumping. I love nature and its peace, and I strive to see more of it.

About Briana

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: Junior - College

School: University of Arizona

Subgroup: Website

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT to help make a difference with young people in my community. I love how passionate everyone in this program is and I have learned a lot about how public health outreach requires a joint effort from many people.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I love reading, hiking, cooking, and am a member of many organizations including locks junior honorary, the reproductive health access project, and flying samaritans.

About Yzabella

YHAT Position: President

Current grade: 12

School: University High School

Subgroup: Media (Poster/Promo)

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I live on the southside of Tucson and I see a lot of drug abuse and social isolation within our youth. I joined YHAT because they offered a way for me to be able to help my community and indulge myself in a way to help that I have been looking for. Due to YHAT I have been able to become a better public speaker, listener, leader, and advocate. While I’ve also learned a lot about what our youth has to go through in today’s society while expanding on resources for people to grow.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I do a lot of volunteer work outside of YHAT. I’ve organized my own volunteer event where I gathered my friends and we gave food and water to people on the Fourth of July, I’ve done countless food drives, volunteer at the Z mansion on Sunday, and I work at the Habit Burger Grill. I enjoy doing my own acrylic nails, volleyball, arts and crafts, and watching TV shows!

About Rory

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 12

School: Tucson High

Subgroup: Podcast

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT because I am passionate about the subject of mental health. It has benefitted me by allowing me to make connections with other people with the same passions.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I like to crochet and do other crafts. My favorite movies are Girl, Interrupted and Scream 4.

About Chelsea

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 10

School: University High School

Subgroup: Website

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT because I wanted to become more involved in my community. I saw that YHAT created an opportunity to help/ and bring awareness of struggles that people my age struggle with. YHAT has so far benefited me through gaining new skills related to technology and social speaking. I learned the basics of how to create a website and how to design one. As well as helped me in my communication skills as I work with my group!

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

A little bit about myself is that I play volleyball, both in and out of school season in club. I’m also in a mariachi group where I play the violin and sing with my group members. At school I’m involved in volunteering clubs and others. In my free time I like to read and draw while listening to music.

About Deanna

YHAT Position: Secretary

Current grade: 12

School: BASIS Tucson North

Subgroup: Website

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I was drawn to YHAT because of its driving purpose: youth helping other youth. Throughout my time here, it’s been empowering leading and working with other teens from my community to develop strategies in order to begin the solutions to widespread mental health issues across Pima County.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

In my free time, I enjoy reading, crocheting, spending time with my friends, and binge watching my favorite movies/TV shows. I'm also involved in my school’s NHS, volunteer at the library, and work at a restaurant.

About Mahkeila

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 11

School: Pueblo High School

Subgroup: Media (Poster/Promo)

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

My counselor at my high school actually recommended me to join YHAT because she previously had helped me get into a similar program like YHAT and do a podcast about depression and anxiety because I was interested in a career that helped youth with mental health. I also joined YHAT because I love to help others and it's something I enjoy to do and learn about. YHAT has helped me see more factors on why teens and young adults experience depression, anxiety, loneliness and start addictions and how we could help people that struggle with those things.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

I love to act and write short scripts for my theater club at school. Acting helps me be less introverted and helps me get my mind off of academics. When I'm not acting I'm at home drawing, painting, making paper flowers or playing guitar, ukulele, bass and maybe a little of piano sometimes. I like to write and sometimes make my own song lyrics and poems. I also love to bake and cook for my family and friends.

About Katherine

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 12

School: University High School

Subgroup: Media (Poster/Promo)

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

Activism starts with raising awareness, and the Youth Health Action Team empowers youth to do exactly that. Through YHAT, my peers and I aim to transform scientific communication and research into ground-level action, supporting our community's mental and physical wellbeing. I have cherished the opportunity to cultivate my confidence as a peer advocate, all whilst learning the ropes of large-scale campaigns through YHAT's virtual workshops, guest seminars, and in-person collaborations with the Pima County Public Library System.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

My interests lie at the intersection between the arts and advocacy. Through inline skating and hands-on visual-arts workshops, I aim to uplift special-needs youth as community members, athletes, and creators.

About Armida

YHAT Position: Vice President

Current grade: 10

School: University High School

Subgroup: Podcast

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT to inspire and relieve people through the journey that is mental health. I feel that the Youth is underrepresented in the U.S., especially when it comes to mental health. At YHAT we work to make the world a little easier for teens. Through fighting to make our voices heard, we can bring understanding and compassion to the world, ultimately building a better society for all.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

Different things that drive me are traveling, art, and building a better understanding of our world. I love to go to different countries and learning about culture and different people. Art can be a big outlet for expression, ultimately connecting us through something that words cannot describe. Finally, I love to acquire new skills and knowledge though school, people, and fun activities.

About Kade

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 10

School: Catalina Foothills High School

Subgroup: Media (Poster/Promo)

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined because I’ve done library groups before and also groups pertaining to mental health awareness and found myself to be interested in these topics. By being in YHAT I’ve met some amazing people and been able to work together with them to use my creativity and passion to the fullest extent while doing good for the community.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

Some things I'm interested in are photography, crafting, and writing! I am currently in the Teen Advisory Board for the Oro Valley Library, secretary of Photo club at my school, writing an article for the school news, and building sets in theatre club in addition to YHAT!

About Marsha

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 9

School: University High School

Subgroup: Podcast

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT because it was an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge of public health and the importance of teenage mental health in our community. Joining YHAT has been beneficial to me because I have learned how effective communication goes a long way in destigmatizing mental health among youth.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

Outside of YHAT, I am a competitive singer, having competed regionally and nationally. I'm also a part of Science Olympiad, the Ambassadors program, the research club, and HOSA at my school! In my free time, I love binging shows on Netflix and drawing.

About Aishwarya

YHAT Position: General

Current grade: 10

School: University High School

Subgroup: Media (Poster/Promo)

Why did you join YHAT and how has it benefited you?

I joined YHAT to help the effort in expanding mental health resources for youth, and to make a difference in my community. In the process, it has taught me much about teamwork and communication.

Share a little bit about yourself outside of academics. (e.g. extracurriculars, sports, hobbies, interests):

In my free time, I love to hike, read, and spend time with my friends and family.