STUDENTS AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE ~
MEET THE 2005- 2006 NATIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD (YAB) MEMBERS

Channing Shor
School: Middle Creek High School, NC
Advisor: Officer Ryan Orr
Grade: Senior
Title: Chair

Channing Shor, Senior at Middle Creek High School, will serve as the National SAVE Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Chair.This year will be Channing's fourth year involved with SAVE and her third year on the YAB. Shor served as the Vice Chair on the 2004-2005 YAB and as Secretary on the 2003-2004 YAB.

Channing is interested in increasing SAVE chapters on the middle school level, and creating lasting clubs in high schools. She strongly believes that mdidle school can be a tough time for most youth and if they have something important to be involved in then there would be a decrease in school violence. Shor says, "If kids have a SAVE club at the middle school level then those kids and their friends will stay or become involved in high school either by word of mouth or experience."

Shor is involved in many clubs, teams and after school activities. This year she will be the Vice President for the National Honor Society, a freshmon mentor, Spanish club member and a member of a Fuquay challenge soccar team.

Heather Hernandez
School: Poway High School, CA
Advisor: Rebecca Hernandez
Grade: Junior
Title: Vice Chair

Heather Hernandez is a junior at Poway High School. This year will be Hernandez's third year involved with SAVE and second year on the YAB. Hernandez is very interested in increasing community service projects through SAVE because she believes that if students find a positive activity to become involved in, they will have a positive impact on others and will be less likely to be involved in violence.

Through her work with SAVE, Hernandez hopes to show youth that they are powerful, and encourage them to make good choices. Hernandez says, "I believe that students can help prevent violence by listening to what others have to say and getting them involved in community service and campus activities."

Heather has held various leadership roles in her school and community, including three year's as the Associated Student Body Vice President, Student Council, a member of Peer Counseling, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and Section Leader in the Women's Ensemble at Poway High. Heather is an active volunteer not only with SAVE, but also with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, and her Church Youth Group. She was selected as a Scholar for the United States Achievement Academy. Heather also plays softball and basketball. On her free time she loves to spend the day at the beach surfing and relaxing with her friends. Heather is looking forward to this year's YAB and is excited to be the Vice Chair. Hernandez says "We have some great people on the board and I know it will be an exciting year".

Darius Bush
School: Highland School of Technology, NC
Advisor: Ami Parker
Grade: Junior

Darius Bush is a junior at Highland School of Technology. This year will be Darius' second year of involvement with SAVE and his first year on the National Youth Advisory Board (YAB). Darius is really excited about the things that will be accomplished this year. Darius is on the SAVE Step Team at Highland for a second year where the team shows non-violence through stepping.

Darius is interested in leading by example. He promotes non-violence during his participation in extra-curricular activities. He realizes that one problem with youth and violence is having too much free time because unstructured time can lead to problems. Young people need some structure, yet interesting activities that will increase mental growth and responsibility.

Darius is actively involved in his church and is a member of the Aries yearbook staff for his third year. He was also awarded the "Student of the Year" award in the fifth grade year.

Taushia Brooks
School: Crookston High School, MN
Advisor: Stephanie Pry
Grade: Senior

Taushia Brooks is a senior at Crookston High School. This year will be Brooks' third year of involvement in SAVE and her first year on the National SAVE Youth Advisory Board. Brooks served as secretary for the 2004-2005 school year for her chapter and will serve as President for the 2005-2006 school year.

Brooks is interested in spreading awareness that violence has no race, gender, religion, social status or boundaries. Additionally she feels it is everyone's problem: yours, mine and the community's. As individuals we have the power to make a difference.

Brooks says, "SAVE is important because it is a student-led organization, putting knowledge in the hands of future leaders, letting us know we can make a difference. " She truly believes in the saying "silence means acceptance" and applies it daily to life. "When I see any act of violence or hear verbal abuse, I'm the first to speak out against it: in the halls at school, sporting events, even the grocery store. Never could I abandon my beliefs, even if I stood alone. In my opinion, students play one of the biggest roles in preventing violence because we are each other's peers. We are who we look to for acceptance. Never should we be afraid to speak out and say, "That is unacceptable."" Taushia's chapter has taken on many projects, one of them being a production titled, "Journey into a Better Tomorrow." They composed the hour long mix of skits, poems, statistics, Power Point presentation and recognition and remembrance of victims of violence. They have preformed the presentation numerous times for others schools and conventions. Brooks is involved in various activities including Youth Action, Valley Fiddlers, True Players, River Watch, Leo Club and the Abstinence Team. She recently won the title of Miss Crookston 2005 and will be an ambassador for Crookston in the coming year.

Michael Register
School: Farmville Central High School, NC
Advisor: Deputy Coburn
Grade: Freshman

Michael Register is a freshman at Farmville Central High School. This is his fourth year in SAVE. He first got interested in SAVE in the sixth grade when he kept seeing a great deal of violence and drug use at his school. Once Michael joined SAVE he saw a big difference in his attitude toward peers and teachers. Michael saw ways to help his peers with their problems and conflicts. As he progressed in school he saw more opportunities to help others in SAVE and in the community. He took an active role in service to his school and community by assisting the elderly and people in need.

As a National Youth Advisory Board Member Michael wants to spread the word about SAVE and the positive effects that it can have on a community and youth. On a daily basis in middle school, Michael would have students stop him in the hall and ask him about SAVE and how to join. That was very empowering and encouraging to Michael in his efforts to prevent violence and so, he wants to spread the word on how SAVE makes a difference in a school. "I am truly glad that SAVE is in the school because peer pressure is really tough and I know from personal experiences I have had. SAVE has really turned me around in school and got me on the right path and showed me how to say no and use peer mediation to talk out our conflicts and not turn to violence to solve problems. It has also taught my little brother not to get so mad and sit down with a teacher or parent and talk about the problems at school instead of being violent."

Michael is involved in various activities and programs including Teen Court, soccer, and is on the honor roll. He has been accepted into the AVID program and the Health and Science Academy.

Amber Virtue
School: Montbello High School, CO
Advisor: Kris Bethscheider
Grade: Senior

Amber Virtue is a senior at Montbello High School. Although Amber has been involved in many clubs and activities, the majority of her time has been dedicated to SAVE. This will be Amber's third year of being involved in SAVE. She has served as an officer all three years, serving as the Sophmore representative and then as President of her chapter during her junior year and this year. Serving as president of her chapter has given Amber leadership skills and a better chance to let others know about the core elements of SAVE.

Amber's chapter has been very active and participated in many activities including a community clean-up, a student-teacher talent show that the chapter organized and conducted. The chapter also has been involved in a variety of assemblies including a cultural awareness assembly, MLK assembly, cancer awareness/prevention presentation and the chapter has been trained in conflict management.

Amber feels that SAVE has made a positive difference in her school because it has made others aware that they can choose to end the violence that they see. "Ever since the death of a student at my school, SAVE was right there showing their support by addressing the issues that violence should never be the answer to any problem. Because of this, everyone has come together and acknowledged the fact that there are other ways to solve conflicts than to fight, or even worse, kill someone." Virtue stated.

As a National SAVE Youth Advisory Board Member Amber hopes to accomplish many things including "getting the word out about SAVE, making people more aware of the ethics of what we are about. Also, I plan on helping all of the SAVE chapters around the US as much as possible."

Amber has participated and held leadership roles in various clubs and activities including the drill team, the American Red Cross Youth Corps and JROTC. She has volunteered at a local elementary school by reading to second graders for an hour every week, volunteered for Race for the Cure, the American Red Cross and Veterans Stand Down. Amber is also an honor roll student.

For Further Information:
If you are interested in serving on the National SAVE Youth Advisory Board you can call the National Association of SAVE at (919) 661-7800 or 866-343-SAVE.

National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere SAVE: Youth Voices... Grown-Up Choices! Toll Free 866-343-SAVE For more information contact cwray@nationalsave.org   /   Copyright 2007