Youth Leadership

GSA Network is led by youth because we believe that youth have the power to create solutions and lead the fight against homophobia and transphobia. Representatives from GSAs around California serve on the organization's Board of Directors, regional Youth Councils, and Statewide Advocacy Council.

Youth Council

Youth Council members come from small towns and cities across California to represent the voices of youth activists and GSAs throughout the state. Youth Council members meet monthly to plan GSA Network's programs, plan and present at conferences, and lead trainings and events throughout the year.

Northern California Youth Council Members, 2012-2013

Rexy Ramon Amaral, Mission High School
Owen Aptekar-Cassels, Da Vinci Charter Academy
Cass Bethel, Menlo-Atherton High School
Tosha Black, Kipp San Jose Collegiate High School
Katie Boucher, San Leandro High School
Aiden Castellanos, Capuchino High School
Emery Cohen, Peninsula High School
Aureliano Davila, Sequoia High School
Raymond Ferronato, Antioch High School
Edian Gapit, Baden High School
JayAre, Christopher High School
Sabina Jacobs, Sequoia High School
Hanna Landsman, El Cerrito High School
Christine Larisch, Centerville Junior High School
James Patch, Menlo Atherton High School
Anna Sturla, Davis Senior High School
Chay Tadeo, Alameda Science and Technology Institute
Ellie Welsh-Ferreyra, Holy Names High School

Southern California Youth Council Members, 2011-2012

Adam Price, Redlands East High School
Albert Solis Chacon, School of Global Studies
Allen Cabanillas, El Monte High School
Ana Figueroa, El Monte High School
Anthony Barros, Antelope Valley High School
AprilGrace Ndwiga, Katella High School
Ashli Moody, SOAR High School
Azariah Parente, Hemet High School
Benji Delgadillo, San Juan Hills High School
Brandon Serpas, Schurr High School
Claudia Chen, Temple City High School
Daniel Martinez, Santa Maria High School
Eduardo Villegas, Costa Mesa High School
Emily Coffin, Sagus High School
Gianna Marcario, Garden Grove High School
G! Pe Benito, Westlake High School
Guillermo Mederos, Foothill Tech High School
Isabella Garcia, Pioneer Valley High School
Isaias Guzman, Bell High School
Jennifer Ledesma, Magnolia High School
Julian Araujo, Brea Olinda High School
Julian Lee, Brea Olinda High School
Julie Dib, Beaumont High School
Karina Perez, Francis Polytechnic High School
Leilani Harris, Santa Maria High School
Logan Henderson, Santa Monica High School
Luis Oviedo, Dos Pueblos High School
Mackian Bauman, San Juan Hills High School
Meaghan Thalia Bermudes, South High School
Mikenzie Orozco, Monrovia High School
Nayelli Galara, Desert Mirage High School
Niria Ortiz, Garden Grove High School
Neftali Garcia, West Valley High School
Nicolas Linares, Enviornmental Charter High School
Rocky Arenas, Grover Cleveland High School
Sarah Taylor, I Poly High School
Shay Harleston, Mira Monte High School
Taylor Nicoara, Montclair High School
Valeria Bautista, Environmental Charter High School
Victor Ruesga, Montebello High School
Yesenia Padilla, El Monte High School

Please Note: The SoCal Youth Council is no longer taking members. Please check back in January 2012 to see if spots have opened up.

Central Valley Expression, Not Supression Committee 2011-2012

The Central Valley does not have a regional Youth Council but instead has a planning committee for the region's annual queer and allied youth conference called Expression, Not Suppression (ENS) that takes place in Fresno. The Central Valley program is seeking dedicated youth to help plan the conference, present at workshops, and do outreach to the region about the conference and GSA Network's programs. If you are interested in joining the ENS Committee and making it better for queer and allied youth in the Central Valley, apply below at the "Join a Youth Council" link.

Find out what it’s like to be on Youth Council and learn how you can apply. Visit Join a Youth Council.

Statewide Advocacy Council

Statewide Advocacy Council is a diverse group of youth leaders from across California that works with GSA Network to change state laws and policies that impact LGBTQ youth. Statewide Advocacy Council members help plan and shape GSA Network’s advocacy efforts and events, including GAYLA (GSA Advocacy & Youth Leadership Academy) and Queer Youth Advocacy Day. They also help develop and promote advocacy campaigns such as our Campaign for LGBT-Inclusive Curriculum and the implementation of the FAIR Education Act.

Statewide Advocacy Council Members, 2012-2013 

Caitlin Owens, Sanger High School
Sage Leibenson, Millennium/ Piedmont High School
Angel Baron, Granada High School
Jesus Sanchez, Sanger High School
Austin Fode, Tulare Union High School
Calen Valencia, Tulare Union High School
Ricky Martinez
Ashli Moody, SOAR High School
Christian Capulin, Johansen High School
Kirsten Hendrickson, Folsom High School
Yesenia Padilla, El Monte High School
Allen Cabanillas, El Monte High School
Keanan Gottlieb, The Grauer School
Logan Henderson, Santa Monica High School
Jack Davis, Palisades Charter High School
Julian Araujo, Brea-Olinda High School
Espii Gutierrez, Countryside Community Day High School
Anthony Barros, Antelope Valley High School
Kimberly Yu, Alexander Hamilton High School
Brandon Serpas
Sarah Harker, Placer High School
Anna Sturla, Davis Senior High School
Mario Vasquez, SOAR High School

Check out this blog post by Yvonna Cázares, GSA Network's Policy Manager, to learn more about this year's Statewide Advocacy Council. Visit Statewide Advocacy Council to learn how you can apply.