Meet the Amazing Youth and Youth Allies on BC YAC!
Co-Chair: Douglas Ennenberg of UCV, Vancouver, BC
Doug is in his first year at UBC and is most passionate about acting. He believes art is the medium for social change, and as an actor you can be that vessel for a story to be heard. Acting is such a full and powerful experience, when it is done correctly it can be a life-changing experience. He wants to contribute as an artist to the acting and theatre world in every way possible, which will mean dedication, commitment, and studying. Doug joined BC YAC because he knew it was hard BC YAC was working hard to unite UU youth in BC under common goals and principles. When he joined the BC YAC, it was in a stage of uncertainty and he left forward to the challenge of becoming a key leader, knowing it was in his power to inspire growth and change. His involvement has turned out to be a learning experience bountiful with challenge for personal growth, and because of this his heart can never be full enough. Doug joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Co-Chair: Lydia Lawson-Baird of NSUC, North Vancouver, BC
Lydia is in grade 11 this year and is incredibly passionate about writing. She values how writing is an easy medium to express herself and and she loves how she can take herself anywhere with her story's and with her poems. It makes her feel safe to write. Lydia joined the BC YAC because she loves being in a leadership position and it is a great place for her to learn more about being a good leader and develop her skills. Most of all she enjoys the people and the support everyone gets. Lydia joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Lydia is in grade 11 this year and is incredibly passionate about writing. She values how writing is an easy medium to express herself and and she loves how she can take herself anywhere with her story's and with her poems. It makes her feel safe to write. Lydia joined the BC YAC because she loves being in a leadership position and it is a great place for her to learn more about being a good leader and develop her skills. Most of all she enjoys the people and the support everyone gets. Lydia joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Trainer of Leaders and Co-Newsletter Editor: Dani Cooper of NSUC, North Vancouver, BC
Dani is in grade 12 and is most passionate about youth empowerment and leadership, with a close second being the power of words and literature. She truly believes in the potential of the everyday person, and has striven to help others to discover it in themselves and in others. Dani is an incredibly passionate and opinionated person, who loves to learn and discover the world around her with an open mind and heart. In Literature, she finds complete solace and beauty in the works of John Donne, Paradise Lost, Tolkien, and Jonathan Safran Foer. Dani joined the BC YAC because she believed so strongly in uniting the youth of BC, Canada, and the PNWD under common principles. She believes that youth and youth allies show amazing insight and creativity, and is deeply grateful for the opportunity to have a hand in nourishing the souls and minds of youth everywhere and has been humbled by the presence of so many amazing youth leaders over the years. Dani joined the BC YAC in 2008.
Dani is in grade 12 and is most passionate about youth empowerment and leadership, with a close second being the power of words and literature. She truly believes in the potential of the everyday person, and has striven to help others to discover it in themselves and in others. Dani is an incredibly passionate and opinionated person, who loves to learn and discover the world around her with an open mind and heart. In Literature, she finds complete solace and beauty in the works of John Donne, Paradise Lost, Tolkien, and Jonathan Safran Foer. Dani joined the BC YAC because she believed so strongly in uniting the youth of BC, Canada, and the PNWD under common principles. She believes that youth and youth allies show amazing insight and creativity, and is deeply grateful for the opportunity to have a hand in nourishing the souls and minds of youth everywhere and has been humbled by the presence of so many amazing youth leaders over the years. Dani joined the BC YAC in 2008.
Co-YAC Social Action Coordinator (SAC) and Technological Advancement Squad Leader: Kaylyn Olynyk of CVUF, Comox, BC
Kaylyn is in grade 12 and she is most passionate about the written word including but not limited to fiction, political rants, music lyrics, tv/movie scripts, and anything else you can think of. She also loves to write. Kaylyn describes herself an an introvert, and a word nerd, having a deep love for language, stories, puns, and creation. She finds the escapism of making up a story or losing yourself in someone else's mesmerizing. Kaylyn joined the BC YAC because she wanted to stay connected to the awesome community of people she met at the RFG (see conferences). What she enjoys most about BC YAC, other than being connected, is working together towards something different from anything she's ever worked on before, and something she knows will be fantastic. Kaylyn joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Kaylyn is in grade 12 and she is most passionate about the written word including but not limited to fiction, political rants, music lyrics, tv/movie scripts, and anything else you can think of. She also loves to write. Kaylyn describes herself an an introvert, and a word nerd, having a deep love for language, stories, puns, and creation. She finds the escapism of making up a story or losing yourself in someone else's mesmerizing. Kaylyn joined the BC YAC because she wanted to stay connected to the awesome community of people she met at the RFG (see conferences). What she enjoys most about BC YAC, other than being connected, is working together towards something different from anything she's ever worked on before, and something she knows will be fantastic. Kaylyn joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Scribe: Zoë Brimacombe of FUCV, Victoria, BC
Zoë is in 10th grade and is passionate about many things in life, specifically obsessed with acting. She started doing improv at the tender age of 6, and has been involved in professional stage shows for the last 5 years! Theatre shows her more about herself than any other activity and forces her to examine simple things such as breathing, speaking, walking. She also loves to write short stories and plays and is a very accomplish playwright, her play "Shadows" was a winner of the Young Playwright's festival in 2011. She loves the effect words can have on people. Zoë loves the BC YAC because it gives her the chance to stay in touch with all the wonderful UU youth in BC, and enjoys planning conferences, namely Spring Con 2012 (a conference of over 200 people). She considers BC YAC to be one of the most welcoming and dynamic communities that she's ever been a part of and she's honoured to be a part of it. Zoë joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Zoë is in 10th grade and is passionate about many things in life, specifically obsessed with acting. She started doing improv at the tender age of 6, and has been involved in professional stage shows for the last 5 years! Theatre shows her more about herself than any other activity and forces her to examine simple things such as breathing, speaking, walking. She also loves to write short stories and plays and is a very accomplish playwright, her play "Shadows" was a winner of the Young Playwright's festival in 2011. She loves the effect words can have on people. Zoë loves the BC YAC because it gives her the chance to stay in touch with all the wonderful UU youth in BC, and enjoys planning conferences, namely Spring Con 2012 (a conference of over 200 people). She considers BC YAC to be one of the most welcoming and dynamic communities that she's ever been a part of and she's honoured to be a part of it. Zoë joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Co-Newsletter Editor and Treasurer: Elijah Marrett-Hitch of FUCV, Victoria, BC
Elijah is in 10th grade and he is most passionate about music. He believes it brings people together, and it has been a part of his life for a really long time. Elijah plays accordion, violin, and piano among other things and has graced us with his amazing skills many a time. Elijah joined BC YAC because he was interested in learned more about what Unitarian youth do, and he loves working with all the amazing people on our committee. Elijah joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Elijah is in 10th grade and he is most passionate about music. He believes it brings people together, and it has been a part of his life for a really long time. Elijah plays accordion, violin, and piano among other things and has graced us with his amazing skills many a time. Elijah joined BC YAC because he was interested in learned more about what Unitarian youth do, and he loves working with all the amazing people on our committee. Elijah joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Co-YAC Social Action Coordinator (SAC) and Technological Advancement Squad Leader : Rupert Gomery of UCV, Vancouver, BC
Rupert Gomery is a grade 11 student, although he tends to find himself wishing he could just skip to university. He is most passionate about people, all of those around me who I interact with. It really makes him the odd one out in my family; while everyone else needs quiet time alone from time to time, he finds it draining. That’s the reason he joined the BCYAC, he saw this awesome group of youth come to his church to hold a conference and they said that they needed to elect new members and he thought, “I could do that”. He's not always the most organized but it has been the best experience to work with them the past two years.
Rupert Gomery is a grade 11 student, although he tends to find himself wishing he could just skip to university. He is most passionate about people, all of those around me who I interact with. It really makes him the odd one out in my family; while everyone else needs quiet time alone from time to time, he finds it draining. That’s the reason he joined the BCYAC, he saw this awesome group of youth come to his church to hold a conference and they said that they needed to elect new members and he thought, “I could do that”. He's not always the most organized but it has been the best experience to work with them the past two years.
Youth Empowerment Services Representative: Jamie van Gessel, FUCV, Victoria, BC
Jamie is a grade 10 student who has a passion for performing and creating. Sharing who she is with the world is how she gets her kicks and being able to show people what she can do and being able to influence someone's reactions makes her happy. She's been performing since before she can remember and it will always be a huge part of who she is. Likewise with creating, there's something for her about being able to say "I made that" or "I wrote that, sang that, danced that, finger-painted that." Jamie joined the BC YAC because she loves leading, and creating awesome things with awesome people. One of the biggest pulls for her were the people on it- youth and adults who are currently doing amazing things and will continue on to do amazing things. She loves what we create together, as a group of people working together on what we care about.
Jamie is a grade 10 student who has a passion for performing and creating. Sharing who she is with the world is how she gets her kicks and being able to show people what she can do and being able to influence someone's reactions makes her happy. She's been performing since before she can remember and it will always be a huge part of who she is. Likewise with creating, there's something for her about being able to say "I made that" or "I wrote that, sang that, danced that, finger-painted that." Jamie joined the BC YAC because she loves leading, and creating awesome things with awesome people. One of the biggest pulls for her were the people on it- youth and adults who are currently doing amazing things and will continue on to do amazing things. She loves what we create together, as a group of people working together on what we care about.
BC YAC Adult Support and Ally: Kimberly Bramadat of FUCV, Brentwood Bay, BC
Kimberly is passionate about how everyone is all connected as a working unit, including sunsets, smiles, organic food, recycling, giggles from animals and people, and the bending of trees in the wind. She is also incredibly passionate about being a grounded resource to both the youth of the BC YAC and of the FUCV, where she acts as a youth adviser. She strives to be a full part of her darling daughter's life, and a valuable partner in her significant relationship with her fiancé. Kimberly joined BC YAC to support the creative process of discovering and uncovering the limitless possibilities in life that connect and unite the youth with the world. She treaures her experience with the youth, finding the ideas they share to be insightful and refreshing. Kimberly joined the BC YAC in 2011.
Kimberly is passionate about how everyone is all connected as a working unit, including sunsets, smiles, organic food, recycling, giggles from animals and people, and the bending of trees in the wind. She is also incredibly passionate about being a grounded resource to both the youth of the BC YAC and of the FUCV, where she acts as a youth adviser. She strives to be a full part of her darling daughter's life, and a valuable partner in her significant relationship with her fiancé. Kimberly joined BC YAC to support the creative process of discovering and uncovering the limitless possibilities in life that connect and unite the youth with the world. She treaures her experience with the youth, finding the ideas they share to be insightful and refreshing. Kimberly joined the BC YAC in 2011.
CUC National Youth and Young Adult Programming: Ariel Hunt-Brondwin of UCV, Vancouver, BC
Ariel is incredibly passionate about her job. Her work lets her feel like she is making a really positive difference in the lives of the people she works with and for the Unitarian tradition in Canada through working for the CUC. Sometimes that looks like her being a bit of a work-aholic but on her best days she feels like in some small ways that she is able to help youth and young adults and their allies gain a more enriching and spiritually fullfilling experience in their church and in their UU faith and she believes that is truly gratifying. Ariel is not technically a BC YAC member but she supports the BC YAC because she believes in the power of youth to minister each other through mentoring each other in leadership and by creating amazing, inclusive, worshipful conference communities. What she enjoys the most is watching the incredibly organic and creative way BC YAC members work and learn together. Ariel began her support of the BC YAC in 2011.
Ariel is incredibly passionate about her job. Her work lets her feel like she is making a really positive difference in the lives of the people she works with and for the Unitarian tradition in Canada through working for the CUC. Sometimes that looks like her being a bit of a work-aholic but on her best days she feels like in some small ways that she is able to help youth and young adults and their allies gain a more enriching and spiritually fullfilling experience in their church and in their UU faith and she believes that is truly gratifying. Ariel is not technically a BC YAC member but she supports the BC YAC because she believes in the power of youth to minister each other through mentoring each other in leadership and by creating amazing, inclusive, worshipful conference communities. What she enjoys the most is watching the incredibly organic and creative way BC YAC members work and learn together. Ariel began her support of the BC YAC in 2011.