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Youth Advisory Council

The Alliance recognizes the importance of incorporating the voices and perspectives of young people into the revitalization of Friendship Heights. In March 2024, the Alliance Board enthusiastically created 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, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Alex Kenny, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Amanda Ilunga, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Atnasia Alemayehu, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Benjamin Katz, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Claire Daignault, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Edith Conaty, Jackson-Reed High School
  • Emily Fleming, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Faaris Minsker, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Hailey Hammond, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Isis Clark, Jackson-Reed High School
  • James Davis, Jackson-Reed High School
  • Logan Moran, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Louise Rasevic, Jackson-Reed High School
  • Lucia Mikaelian, Jackson-Reed High School
  • Mack Lieberman, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Nizhoni Deschene, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Noah Grosberg, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Samara Al Hinawi, Jackson-Reed High School
  • Sirona Mayes, Jackson-Reed High School
  • Sofia Guyer, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Simone Pulerwitz-Waisbord, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
  • Zara Ahmed, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

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 for more information.