Michigan's statewide youth advisory council on sexual health!
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What is MY Voice?
MY Voice is the youth advisory council that MOASH coordinates. MY Voice exists to inform the services, programs and materials created for youth by MOASH and other community partners. In addition, MY Voice members are involved in various youth advocacy efforts throughout the year and use their voices of experience to improve services for youth across the state. MY Voice members have the opportunity to be trained on a variety of sexual health topics, undergo leadership development, gain communication skills and work on advocacy efforts. Members are typically 16-21 but younger youth can be accepted on a case by case basis. The council meets monthly, often in Lansing but also occasionally in other areas of the state. |
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Meet our 2019-2020 MY Voice members:
xander bailey
Xander Bailey is a sophomore at Michigan State University majoring in the History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science at Lyman Briggs College. He is heavily involved with speaking to education professionals on how to be more accommodating and responsive to trans youth. He became involved with MOASH in 2017. Along with advocacy his interests include public speaking, reading, and cooking. He can be reached at BaileyA944@gmail.com.
sky bodenmiller
Sky Bodenmiller (they/them & xe/xem): Sky Bodenmiller will graduate from Churchill High School in 2020. During their time in high school, Sky has been able to dedicate their time to National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society, as well as being part of ASL club, Cooking club, and Gender-Sexuality Alliance, with leadership roles such as NHS Vice President, NAHS Co-President, and SHS Historian. Sky has taken ten AP courses during high school through the Math Science Computers program offered to only 30 students per graduation year. Sky played competitive soccer for 13 years, but after ACL and Meniscus surgery two years in a row, they stepped away from contact sports, allowing time for a job (or two!): Sky is currently a server in Livonia, serving on the MY Voice council, and on the MOASH Board of Directors. Although it can be rare, when free time is available, they enjoy writing and performing spoken word poetry, painting, and creating graphic art.
alice johns
Alice Johns (she/her/hers) is a bisexual activist from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and is a senior at Washtenaw International High School. She is the co-president of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, which is how she first got involved with MOASH in 2019. This prompted her to become a MYVoice member later that year. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, intersectionality within social justice groups, and equal access to education. She looks forward to working with MOASH to promote better sexual health to teens across Michigan, and is hopeful that she will be able to make a change during her time with MYVoice. Her interests include social justice, Michigan basketball, writing, watching bad TV, and spending time with her two dogs. She can be contacted at johnsalice02@gmail.com.
marie mayo
Marie is sixteen years old and currently attends Howell High School. Her hobbies include working out, singing in her school choir, and hanging out with her girlfriend. She is so excited to help teens in need of proper sexual education and being part of the movement for smashing sexual stigma! Marie’s social media is @mariemayo1245
darien mccowan
Darien McCowan (they/them pronouns) is a 20 year old who is passionate about sexual health education and related issues. They helped begin and run their high school's GSA in the '16-'17 school year. After graduation, they began working with MOASH in the MY Voice program, which will make this their third year involved. Darien can be contacted by email at darmccowan@gmail.com.
grayson old
Grayson Old (he/him/his) is a senior at Berkeley High School who is involved in his school’s Diversity Council and is president of the Environmental Science Club. He has been involved with MOASH for a year, serving on the MY Trans Voice and MY Voice boards. MOASH has given him amazing opportunities to find his passion for public health and becoming an advocate for inclusive education whether it is acknowledging LGBTQ+, disabled, or different social-economical backgrounds.
alexandria piette
I am Alexandria “Allie” Piette, a nineteen-year old student and activist from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I applied to MOASH’s MY Voice team to implement change regarding sexual health and its impact throughout communities across the state, which are two topics I feel strongly towards. When I am not finishing my diploma or working through MY Voice, I am typically found writing, reading, creating art, and devoting time to my family of (currently) eight. I am impassioned towards my involvement in the foster care system and with at-risk youth. I aim to become a social worker to improve the quality of lives of children throughout foster care, in juvenile detention, LGBTQ+ homeless youth, et cetera. I hope to make a change in sex education programs across the state, and to strengthen reproductive healthcare access in low-income communities. I can be contacted at alexandriapiette@gmail.com.
graceanne powelL
Graceanne Powell (she/her/hers) is a senior at Yale high school. She hopes to help the youth in her community get easier access to resources and help people learn more about sexual health. This is her second year being involved in MY Voice. She hopes to make a career in the engineering or medical field. In her free time her interests includes reading, being in nature, and volunteering in her community. She is passionate about being open and helping people get through tough situations. She can be reached at powellgraceanne@gmail.com
daniel rossmiller
Daniel Rossmiller (He/Him) is a junior at Rockford High School, with an interest in psychiatric studies and improving equal access to health care. Through opportunities and education provided by MOASH, he has developed a passion for using his voice to create positive change in his community. Daniel communicates often with administration/staff members at school to continue a conversation about LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and is an avid supporter of accurate and inclusive sex education curriculum in public schools. In addition to MY Voice, Daniel is a member of MOASH's MY Trans Voice advisory council, and Peer Educator for Planned Parenthood in GR. He can be contacted at daniel.e.rossmiller@gmail.com
caitlin thorpe
Caitlin Thorpe is a freshman at Montcalm Community College. This is the first advocacy group that they’ve joined. Joining because they believe they could make a difference and expand their horizons which is something they haven’t had an opportunity to do in the past. Aside from being a member of My voice, they’re also very active with the art community and love animals. Their hobbies include; reading, art, and music. They can be reached at Caitlinfire987@gmail.com.
leeann tincher-garay
LeeAnn Tincher-Garay is a student at Eastern Michigan University majoring in Women and gender studies with a minor in human sexuality. LeeAnn's ultimate goal is to work in sex education and/or become a sex therapist. LeeAnn joined MYVoice because she wants to be a change in the world.
ty vaness
Ty VanEss (He/Him They/Them) is a first year student in Moncalm Community College's Early College Program. He's 16 years old and planning to major in either Psychology or Political Science. He wants to help make the world more accepting of diversity and gain equality for everyone without conditions.
mae zurita
Mae Zurita is a freshman at Davenport University, currently getting a Master of Business. She also plays for the Esports at Davenport. Currently sitting along with Sky on the MOASH Board. She is a transgender activist with a focus on creating policy increasing and defining students' rights. She refuses to be talked down to and responds to problems with actions. She loves a busy lifestyle and can never have too much on her plate. She is a natural leader and is trained to work in groups in norms of collaboration. She plans to have a career as an LGBT+ focused business owner and political office. You can find contact info on most social media platforms @DuarfS.
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© 2019 MOASH (Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health)