Youth Fellows
Lucia M. — Careers & Conferences, Public Programs
I am a current junior at Upper Saint Clair High School. Some of my favorite hobbies include singing, speech and debate, and shopping. I also really love listening to music. Some of my favorite artists are Taylor Swift, Lana Del Ray, and SZA, and my favorite subject in school is math. What drew me to apply for the youth fellows program were the immense opportunities I would have to share and listen to voices in the Pittsburgh community as well as bolster my experience working with local nonprofits. As a youth fellow, I look forward to working with bright and diverse students in order to help achieve the councils’ goals of fostering youth-adult partnerships and education. I additionally am very excited to educate myself as much as I can through the leadership seminars, council events, etc.
Kristina W. — Careers & Conferences, Youth Programs
Hi, I’m Kristina, a current sophomore at North Allegheny. I applied for this position because I wanted to have a greater impact on my local community and further explore my global interests. One day, I aspire to have a career in international diplomacy, but my current interests include Dungeons and Dragons, Debate, Model UN, and baseball (Let’s Go Bucs!). My favorite classes at school are Art History, Chemistry, Latin, and English. I’m looking forward to working in this organization!
Julia T. — Communications
I was motivated to apply for the Youth Fellowship program because I seek to inspire positive change within my community. I look forward to collaborating with others and using my social media and graphic design skills to create a strong online presence and sense of community for adults and youth. In my free time, I enjoy writing and being involved in musical theater and dance.
Maranda W. — Global Minds
I am in 11th grade at Woodland Hills High School, and I intend to learn more about the global issues that impact us as a whole. I play soccer and I wrestle for my school. I’m also a Girl Scout. On my free time I like to read poetry and listen to music
Morgan M. — Youth Voice & Partnerships, Hybrid Programs
Morgan is a rising junior at Oakland Catholic High School. She currently works as an intern at SLB Radio Productions, where they use radio and media to “amplify” the voices of young people in order to educate and build community. Outside of working, she loves to bake, explore new languages, and spend time with her friends and family. Morgan applied for the Youth Fellow Program because she believes that youth voice is the future and, as someone who already works to amplify youth voices, this fellowship was perfect for her! As a youth fellow, she looks forward to opening people’s minds to the importance of youth perspectives and exploring global issues with the other fellows.
Praneeth O. — Youth Voice & Partnerships, Virtual Programs
Hi! My name’s Praneeth. As a Youth Fellow, I want to spread the word about all the incredible things the World Affairs Council has to offer to my peers in school and in my community. I hope to bring more attention to the Council. I was drawn to applying because the values of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh match closely with my own. I want to be part of an organization that reflects my beliefs and priorities on issues ranging from climate change to community problems. Some things I like doing in my free time are listening to music, star-gazing, and the occasional physics problem. Nice to meet you!
Giuliana A. — Fundraising & Development
Hi my name is Giuliana and I will be the Fundraising and Development Fellow. I was drawn to the Youth Fellowship because of all the amazing opportunities the Council has to offer. I’m looking forward to meeting all the other talented Fellows and hope to grow as a global learner over the next year. One of my goals in life is to travel all across the world and being a part of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh is a wonderful first step! Some of my favorite things to do in my free time are skiing and snowboarding, hanging out with friends and being a part of my school’s cheer team. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity and cannot wait to meet all my other fellows.
Youth Board
Makenzie S.
I am excited to join the Youth Board for the 2023-24 school year. I’m an artist and current student at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12. My favorite practices are ceramics and painting. However, I also enjoy learning and experimenting with new skills. Recently, I have been crocheting, screen-printing, and wood burning as my current hobbies. Through this position, I’m looking forward to helping create a foundation for learning that better suits the diverse needs and perspectives of the youth community. Initially, I was drawn to this program because of the possibility of being a contributor to change for my community with fellow peers across the city. Additionally, I’m excited to explore resources and gain skills that will allow me to grow in my advocacy and future development individually and in my generation.
Shireen J.
Aavin M.
Natalia C.
I applied to the Youth Board program because I want to be a leader and educate others on global issues that influence us locally. We live in a global society and a greater understanding of diversity leads to greater inclusion. I am excited to be part of an organization that allows youth to share their voice, so we can create an inclusive environment. I love to cook and try new foods, play softball, and ski with friends. Next year I am excited to take a psychology class to learn more about why people do the things they do.
Avery N.
Hello! I am Avery, a rising senior for the 2023-2024 school year at North Allegheny Senior High School. I began my journey with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh in 2022, when I was selected as a Global Travel Scholar and had the life-changing opportunity to study global health and humanitarian action in Switzerland! Within my involvement in the Youth Board, I hope to aid in the GTS process and help to organize events that draw students into the amazing opportunities that the Council offers to the current youth, such as the conference that I myself attended that introduced me to the Global Travel Scholarship! I also look forward to learning from those who have more wisdom than I that work within the Council, as I am sure they will guide me to bettering my skills as a leader. In my free time, I am the current communications director of NA For Change, a coalition of individuals who work to place the issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, and antiracism at the forefront of the community’s attention while advocating for the implementation of a set of immediate and tangible solutions to positively benefit the community and its students. Other than that, I love going to concerts and listening to music, especially Phoebe Bridgers!
Sophie G.
My name is Sophie and I’m going to be a junior at Seneca Valley High School. I applied for the Youth Board program because I am interested in promoting global education in the region while supporting the mission of the Council. I believe that youth voice and youth-adult partnerships are key parts of this mission and I’m looking forward to contributing my voice and working with the rest of the Youth Board! In my free time I like painting, music, and anything to do with the arts. I love movies and books, as well as running. I also love to travel. I’m in Youth and Government and my school’s student council. My favorite subjects are English and History, and the best part of my day is spending time with my family and friends.
Pavel M.
I am looking forward to collaborating with fellow youth, our Board of Directors, and the community to represent the interest of young people. This organization caught my attention because of the commitment they make to listening and gauging youth opinions and opportunities. I am a junior at Taylor Allderdice High School and I enjoy history, political discussions, and conversing with people of all ages. I am a member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, I write for the student newspaper and enjoy serving on my school’s Spanish Club administration.
Nandana M.
Hi! My name is Nandana and I am currently a junior at South Fayette High School. The World Affairs Council is something I’ve always been drawn to. Giving back to the community, creating a better environment for my peers, and building a better future for YOUTH is something not only the council stands for, but I, myself, try to advocate for as well. Throughout high school I have been involved in several clubs, but my favorites and the ones I hold state titles for consist of HOSA, TSA, and Public Forum Speech and Debate. I have a deep interest in pediatric medicine and hope to pursue a career in that field. In my free time, I love to hang out with my friends, write and advocate about on-going topics, and dance — I am so excited to join the next cohort of the Youth Board and to amplify youth voices throughout the greater Pittsburgh region!
Tom O.
I just want to be a positive leader and contributor to the community and I personally feel a big step in pursuing this role is being a youth board representative for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. I’m looking forward to creating relationships with youth adult leaders that can help me accomplish goals in the future (college, jobs, resume, etc.) and become a leader for the youth whether that would be inspiring them, encouraging them or being a positive role model for them. I like watching soccer with my families and friends, often making a weekend tradition of watching the Premier League, the top flight English division. I like playing with my friends, more specifically, embarking on games like Ultimate Frisbee. My favorite classes in my school, Baldwin High School are Trigonometry, Statistics, Spanish and US History.
About the Youth Board and Youth Fellowship
Are you a high school student who wants to be a part of shaping global education for youth in the Pittsburgh region? Are you passionate about global issues, cultural understanding, and elevating youth voice?
Then consider applying for the Youth Board or Youth Fellowship!
We are looking for creative, innovative change-makers. You don’t have to have been involved in the Council’s or Global Minds’ programs before, be an AP student, or have been a leader of your school’s clubs. If you care about global issues, amplifying youth voice, and striving for innovation, join our team!
Applications for the 2023-24 Youth Board and Youth Fellowship are now CLOSED. Applications will open again in March 2024.
Youth Fellowship
The Youth Fellowship program is a leadership and career development program that provides high school students with hands-on educational and professional development. Through the Fellowship Program, you will have the opportunity to work alongside change-makers to lead the future of global learning in Pittsburgh and beyond. The Youth Fellowship program and the Youth Board Board program are both part of the Council’s work to amplify youth-voice by developing and implementing youth-led adult trainings for adult allies, educators, and community leaders.
The time commitment is an average of 5-8 hours of work per week. Students will receive a stipend for the term. This includes a summer stipend (June-Aug 2023) of $540; a monthly stipend during school year (Sept 2023-June 2024) of $240; and you can earn up to an additional $500 bonus if you participate in at least 3 youth-led adult trainings and receive a positive performance review. The time commitment is an average of 5-8 hours of work per week. The fellowship term will extend from June 2023-2024.
Youth Board
Youth Board members directly impact World Affairs Council programs and services by providing valuable feedback, working on projects to support the council’s work, and representing the council. Youth Board Members also serve as a Co-Chair of the Youth Board or on one of the Council’s Adult Board Committees. You will also have the opportunity to receive guidance and mentorship from non-profit leaders in Pittsburgh. In addition, Youth Board Members will receive professional development alongside our Youth Fellows and work with them to develop youth-led adult training.
The time commitment is an average of 5-8 hours of work per month. Students will receive a stipend for the term. This includes a summer stipend (June-Aug 2023) of $540; a monthly stipend during school year (Sept 2023-June 2024) of $60; and you can earn up to a $500 bonus if you participate in at least 3 youth-led adult trainings and receive a positive performance review. The youth board term will extend from June 2023-2024.
Virtual OR Hybrid Options
- – Participate in a mix of in-person and virtual professional development sessions during the the summer (estimated 4 in-person meetings)
- – Engage in virtual Council work during the school year (5-8 hours per week for Youth Fellows & 5-8 hours per month for Youth Board)
- – Lead in-person workshops for adults and educators (estimated 3-5 in-person workshops)
- – Participate in virtual professional development sessions during the summer
- – Engage in virtual Council work during the school year (5-8 hours per week for Youth Fellows & 5-8 hours per month for Youth Board)
- – Lead virtual workshops for adults and educators