Youth Advisory Council

The Alliance recognizes the importance of incorporating teens’ voices and perspectives into the revitalization of Friendship Heights. In March 2024, the Alliance Board enthusiastically approved the formation of a Youth Advisory Council in collaboration with Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Jackson-Reed High Schools. This Council plays a key role in identifying the safety and recreation needs of teens while driving creative programming across five focus areas: public history, storytelling, environmental stewardship, event planning, and third-space research.

The Council meets monthly during the school year, engaging with guest speakers from D.C. and Maryland across various disciplines. These experts guide students in their projects and inspire them to become engaged, civic-minded advocates for their neighborhood. By June 2025, the inaugural Youth Advisory Council will have created a zine, planted two pollinator gardens, organized two large community events, presented a poster at the D.C. History Conference, and produced a mobile exhibition on third spaces.

2024 - 2025 Youth Advisory Council Members

Addison Huntley

Alex Kenny

Amanda Ilunga

Atnasia Alemayehu

Benjamin Katz

Claire Daignault

Edith Conaty

Emily Fleming

Faaris Minsker

Hailey Hammond

Isis Clark

James Davis

Logan Moran

Louise Rasevic 

Lucia Mikaelian

Mack Lieberman

Nizhoni Deschene

Noah Grosberg

Samara Al Hinawi

Sirona Mayes

Sofia Guyer

Simone Pulerwitz-waisbord 

Zara Ahmed

If you know a high school student in Friendship Heights interested in joining the Youth Advisory Council for the 2025-2026 school year, please contact Journee Harris at journee@friendshipheights.com for more information.