2015/2016 Knox County Youth Health Board members at their opening retreat at the Knoxville Zoo on Friday, July 24, 2015. Back Row, Left to Right: Mark Underwood, Taylor Boyer, Eunice Baek, Lexie Reins, Briauna Blevins, Parin Bhaduri and Cristy Dodson. Front Row, Left to Right: Kaitlyn Kristy, Lexi Carrell, Kaitlin Ladha, Madeline Lonas, Jaden Hodges, Allie Tasket, JaNiyah Rowans and Olivia Andrews. Image courtesy of Knox County Health Department.

KNOXVILLE – Twenty-five Knox County high school students have been added to the 2015/2016 Youth Health Board and started their year of service on the Youth Health Board with a retreat last Friday at the Knoxville Zoo. The Youth Health Board serves as a forum for youth to affect the well-being of the Knoxville community through volunteer activities and service-learning projects. The Board is a collaborative effort between the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) and Coordinated School Health.

“Youth Health Board provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in public health to not only learn about a variety of public health issues, but also to make a difference in the community as it relates to public health,” said KCHD Youth Health Board Co-facilitator Kerri Thompson. “We’re looking forward to a great year with this passionate group.”

2015/2016 Youth Health Board Members are:

Austin-East High School
JaNiyah Rowans, 11th grade

Bearden High School
Vinila Baljepally, 11th grade
Aria Sajjad, 12th grade
Allie Tasket, 12th grade

Central High School
Lexie Reins, 11th grade

Farragut High School
Eunice Baek, 11th grade
Parin Bhaduri, 11th grade
Katherine Fu, 12th grade
Mathew Saunders, 12h grade

Halls High School
Briauna Blevins, 11th grade

Hardin Valley Academy
Haley Bauman, 11th grade
Mariam Shakir, 12th grade
Eric Stickles, 11th grade
Mark Underwood, 12th grade

Karns High School
Cristy Dodson, 12th grade

L&N STEM Academy
Madeline Lonas, 12th grade
Emma Talley, 12th grade

Powell High School
Olivia Andrews, 12th grade
Jaden Hodges, 12th grade

South Doyle High School
Lexi Carrell, 10th grade
Kaitlyn Kristy, 11th grade
Libby Wilson, 12th grade

Webb High School
Taylor Boyer, 11th grade
Kaitlin Ladha, 10th grade
Rachael Lawson, 10th grade

The members are selected from an applicant pool of high school students who demonstrate leadership skills, a commitment to the community and an interest in health-related issues. Past activities include: working with KCHD to develop a health conference for teens; coordinating volunteer projects at the Boys and Girls Club; and hosting an anti-tobacco public display.