Taushia Brooks is 2006 graduate of Crookston High School and is currently a freshman at the College of St. Scholastica where she is pursuing a degree in psychology. This year will be Brooks' fourth year of involvement in SAVE. Taushia served on the 2005-2006 National SAVE Youth Advisory Board. This is her first year as a National SAVE Ambassador. Brooks served as secretary for the 2004-2005 school year for her chapter and served as President for the 2005-2006 school year.

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." 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. Taushia has spoken on numerous occasions at schools and for community orginizations on self composed "Making Good Choices", covering topics of: little decisions, making mistakes, asking for help, overcoming obstacles, forgiveness and faith, self-respect and self-worth, and relating these themes to life.

Taushia's chapter took 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 and at the 2006 National SAVE Summit.Brooks is involved in various activities including Youth Action, Valley Fiddlers, True Players, River Watch, Leo Club and the Abstinence Team. She held the title of Miss Crookston 2005 and served as an ambassador for Crookston, MN. Read more

Kate Catlin was involved with SAVE for three years during her time at Eastern High School in Mebane, North Carolina. Kate served on the Youth Advisory Board during those three years and was named Chair of the YAB during her senior year. Kate also served as President of her school's SAVE chapter. For her work with SAVE, Kate was honored with the Presidential Student Service Award and the opportunity to be an Olympic Torchbearer. Since graduating from high school in 2002, Kate has remained involved with SAVE through volunteering at the annual Summit and assisting the YAB.

Kate Catlin is an Account Executive at MMI Associates, Inc., a full-service marketing and public relations firm. Kate is responsible for a wide range of duties at MMI. She assists in developing and implementing public relations campaigns, as well as planning and managing events, pitching stories to local, national and international media, coordinating media relations and scheduling interviews.

Prior to joining MMI, Kate served as a marketing and public relations intern for Destination PR, a firm marketing U.S. destinations, located in London. While at Destination PR, Kate increased the company's public relations efforts through her work in planning for and participating in the international trade show, World Travel Market.

Kate is a graduate of Elon University, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications. Originally from New England, she currently makes her home in Raleigh. As a National SAVE Ambassador, Kate hopes to "help students see that there are positive alternatives to violence. SAVE is a student led organization and it empowers students to be leaders. My experience in the organization created many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for me, I want to show other students that the same can happen for them if they choose to take a stand and get involved in something positive."

Gerardo Ceballos is a Freshmen at the University of Colorado Denver where he will majoring in Biology and Creative Writing. He has been involved with SAVE for three years. He served as Vice Chair on the 2008-2009 National SAVE Youth Advisory Board and this is his first year as a SAVE ambassador. Gerardo was also co president at Montbello High School. Gerardo believes that it takes more than just one person to prevent violence; it takes a group of people like SAVE to help prevent violence, like Henry Ford once said "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. ” Gerardo hopes he can spread the SAVE message throughout the world; so that he can help make a difference, but one that can change the lives of many people across his community and the world. As a leader in his community he is involved not only with SAVE, he has volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of America and at his local children’s hospital. In high school he was very involved at his school’s student government, president of his school French Club he was a member of the Denver Public School Honor Choir and alumni of the AVID program. These organizations have shaped Gerardo into the leader he is today learning from all of them he said “out of all the organizations I’ve been involved with save has impacted me the most with leadership because of it Empowering youth to stop violence.” Involvement is the key for Gerardo and it shows through his efforts and dedication to his school life and friends. He admits it is very hectic being involved in a lot of things but his family and friends are the ones that help him pass through hardships of being a teenager and a college student. Gerardo is one of the most caring people in his school. He tries to help everyone with his advice. Through the SAVE he hopes to be able to reach out and help more young teens that have been affected by violence like him.

I graduated from Highland High School with a 4.3 GPA. I was ranked 6 out of 298 students. I was the President and City Representative of SAVE (formally known as EmPower). Late in the afternoon of October 18, 2007, one of our co-founding members and a good friend of mine was shot and killed. Ironically, that same day during lunch at our school he was urging students to sign pledges against gun violence for “The Day of National Concern About Young People and Gun Violence.” As a result of his death, I thought about ways to expand EmPower to all high schools and one college in my local area to keep his memory alive and to try and prevent this from happening to anyone else. I looked around different places that we could get involved in and that’s when I came across SAVE. I applied to the Youth Advisory Board and was accepted. I have also been working with other groups to increase the awareness about violence and violence prevention. These other groups include: Student Government, Speak Up! NM, Prevention Advisory Council, National Honor Society, The Peace and Justice Center, and The Impact Network. I have also been apart of many press conferences and worked on a mentorship with a marketing consultant. With all of these experiences and opportunities I have learned to become a better leader and to truly lead and not do. It has been very difficult for me not to just do all the work myself, but instead learn delegation of responsibility. I have also learned that I should check in on members instead of check up on them so that they know I trust them in finishing their assignment. Leadership also means that I have to help the other members become better leaders themselves and to inspire them to do the impossible. Leadership also comes with a great deal of responsibility. If there are obstacles, it is my job to figure out how to overcome them and to improvise when needed. At times I do feel like I want to just give up because it’s overwhelming and it feels like we’re not making traction, but then I remember that if we just inspire one person to use an alternative to violence hen we’ve done our job. I truly think we can make a difference in our society and reduce the number of violent acts in our community. I will be attending Texas Tech University in the fall of 2009 and will be majoring in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management. I have received many awards such as: The West Point Leadership Award Runner Up, Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award Nominee, Selfless Senior Award, Outstanding Advocate for Youth Violence Prevention, AXA Achievement Scholarship ($10,000), AT&T Scholarship ($2,500), Bank of Albuquerque Scholarship ($1,000), Kohl’s Kids Who Care Store-Level Winner. I would like to hopefully start out working for a non-profit to organize their events or maybe even at a school, then I would like to start my own event planning business and host many benefit dinners as well as student leadership summits. I would like to encourage more students to become involved in their community as well as learn to become better leaders themselves.

Amanda Elks graduated in 2003 from D. H. Conley High School and went on to study Physical Education East Carolina University. In her spare time she enjoys playing softball, raquettball, cards, volleyball, going to the beach and snow skiing. Amanda also volunteers with the Gaston County SAVE chapters. Amanda has been involved in SAVE since her freshman year in high school. During her sophomore year she served as Public Relations officer, and during her junior and senior years she served as President and on the National Youth Advisory Board. On the National Youth Advisory Board she helped plan the 2001 and 2002 Summits. Amanda also helped create a Dating Violence Lesson Plan to go into the SAVE Essentials Manual. As SAVE Alumni, she helps with breakout sessions at the Summit amd mentors the Youth Advisory Board. Amanda says that SAVE has made a great impact on her life. "I did not realize how many young people actually cared about violence in their school until I got involved in SAVE. SAVE made me realized I can make a difference, and what I think really does matter. I continue to stay involved to help other young people realize that they can make a difference as well. One person cannot do all the work, but when a group of young people get together, it is amazing what they are capable of. As an Ambassador I hope to help a student that is where I have been, and to help them not make the same mistakes that I did." Read more

Sarah Gillespie was involved with SAVE for three years during high school. During her senior year she served as the President of Eastern Alamance High School's SAVE chapter. Also during her senior year, Sarah served as the Vice-Chair of the National Youth Advisory Board. At the 2004 National SAVE Summit, Sarah received the Outstanding SAVE Member of the Year Award as well as the Presidential Service Award.

Sarah graduated from Eastern Alamance High School in Mebane, North Carolina, in 2004. She is currently a junior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, double majoring in Community Development and Communications. Sarah enjoys traveling and lived in the Dominican Republic last summer. She will be studying abroad during spring semester 2007, probably in Scotland! When Sarah graduates she plans on doing community development work, probably with Latin American countries. Sarah likes playing tennis and stays involved with her church's youth group. She enjoys going home and spending time with her friends and family in North Carolina. Sarah says that her years with SAVE have been a lot of fun as she has worked with other students to prevent violence. As an Ambassador, Sarah hopes to "continue my work and help SAVE accomplish bigger and better things as SAVE becomes a meaningful presence in more and more schools across the nation and the world."

Christian Gonzalez is a Freshman at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she will major in pre-law and film studies with a minor in international affairs. This year will be Gonzalez's fourth year involved with SAVE. She was on the National SAVE Board for two years where she served as Chair and her first year as a SAVE Ambassador. Christian held multiple offices such as President of her chapter during her junior and senior years. During her time in the Youth Advisory Board Christian has done SAVE presentations in Virginia, Las Vegas and Washington D.C.

Christian says, "SAVE made me realize that students have a huge say in what goes on in school, home and our community. We the students have the power to prevent violence." She also adds, "Being on the YAB was one of the things that have happened to me, meeting everybody and the whole experience was unforgettable".

Christian has held various leadership roles in her school and community things such as JROTC, Women's Honor Platoon Drill Team, Varsity Color Guard and was the 10th Warrior Battalion Commander. She was on the JV Tennis team and likes to play volleyball and soccer. She is a member of the Montbello Chapter of the National Honor Society and is also involved with Get Real!/Red Cross, Foundations for Excellent Schools, EPYCS, Hip Hop Coalition, Environmental Learning for Kids, Metro Summer Science Scholars and ACES Scholars Program. Christian has earned various awards such as Superior Cadet Decoration Award, National Sojourners Award, Far Northeast Neighbors, Inc. "Celebrating Women" Award, Military Officers Association of America JROTC Award, JROTC Citizenship Award, Hutton Junior Fisheries Scholarship, and has earned the gold honor roll award for four years now.

Heather Hernandez is a Freshman at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa California. This year will be Hernandez's fifth year involved with SAVE. She was on the National SAVE Board for three years where she served as Vice-Chair and Chair. 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 four year's as the Associated Student Body Vice President, Student Council, a member of Peer Counseling, First Priority, and Section Leader in the Women's Ensamble 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 and has received the President's Service Award. On her free time she loves to spend the day at the beach soaking up the sun and relaxing with her friends. Heather is looking forward to this year's YAB and is excited to see all their new wonderful ideas for SAVE. Hernandez says "Last year's YAB was wonderful and I know that this year's board will accomplish many great things".

Graduating from Poway High School in 2004, Britt Hinchliff is now a senior at UC-Berkeley, where she is majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Public Policy. She first started her work with SAVE as her chapter's secretary. Then, in her senior year of high school, she became the SAVE National Youth Advisory Board West Coast Regional Representative. Since then, Britt has become a SAVE Ambassador. Through her work with SAVE, Britt has received the Youth of the Year award given by the National Crime Prevention Council and the Presidential Service Award. Also, Britt has become involved in the United Nations Study on Violence Against Children as the focal point for the youth panel. At Berkely, Britt is involved with Youth IMPACT, an after-school program for under-privileged youth that teaches youth about the community and how they can make positive change. She is also involved with The Berkeley Group, a student consulting organzation for non-profit organizations in the Bay area. Britt says that "SAVE has given me the opportunity to make an impact on the world and be a positive role model for young people." As an ambassador, Britt hopes to continue spreading SAVE's message on the west coast. Read more

Amanda Krebsbach is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She will be Pre-Law with dual majors in Political Science and Marketing and a minor in Spanish. This will be her 4th year involved with SAVE. As a sophomore, Amanda's English teacher, Mrs. Dianich, started the Mukwonago SAVE chapter after learning of a shooting at a school that she had taught at in Weston, Wisconsin. Amanda realized not only how terrible violence can really be, but also how it can often be prevented with the right resources. She was President of her local SAVE chapter as a sophomore and junior, and her chapter's National Liaison for her senior year. As a YABer, she was elected as a co-event planner/public relations coordinator.

Besides SAVE, Amanda's was actively involved in student government and DECA, an association of marketing students. While in Student Government, Amanda served as the Homecoming Court Committee Chairperson for her junior year. In DECA, she was a chapter Historian, Bookstore Shift Supervisor, and Marketing co-op student at Farmers Insurance. She competed with DECA for 2 years. Amanda's leadership roles and marketing experiences give her confidence to help promote SAVE and establish new chapters in the coming years. While attending UW-Oshkosh, she plans to continue her work with SAVE. She would like to work with existing anti-violence groups on campus to possibly start a collegiate chapter, and maybe even new chapters at the local elementary and middle schools. According to Amanda, One of our biggest challenges out there is getting the word out to as many people as possible. We need to educate people of all ages about all different types of violence and let them know about the different ways that we can all do our part for violence prevention.

Amanda is very excited to be a part of celebrating SAVE's 20th Anniversary. Being involved with this organization has changed her life forever. I love that SAVE is almost completely student-led, as opposed to all of the groups out there that have an advisor make all of the decisions, says Amanda. We really have an opportunity to make a difference amongst our peers, and who knows what will get through to students better than the students themselves. I'm looking forward to watching SAVE grow more and more, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.

Marissa Shapiro is a recent graduate of Syosset High School in New York and currently attending Tulane University in New Orleans. This is Marissa's fourth year involved with SAVE. At Syosset she was on her SAVE Chapter's Executive Board. She served on the 2006-2007 National SAVE Youth Advisory Board. Marissa says "I think the best thing we can do to stop violence is to educate students and others. I believe that all students should be held to high standards and serve as role models to each other."

Marissa undertook many trategies to reduce violence on the high school as well as global level. To this end, she coordinated a very successful school wide event featuring a speaker from Sudan, in an effort to raise awareness of global issues. Marissa has seen the positive effects of SAVE in her school community and hopes to continue to spread SAVE's message across the country.

Marissa was selected to be part of the Peers as Leaders program at her school and has served as President of the Book Club and Young Women's Forum and has been selected for the French Honor Society. Marissa was chosen for the Syosset High School "Wall of Pride" recognition award as a student exhibiting dignity and empathy. She also plays badminton and volleyball, enjoys spending time outdoors, visiting Manhattan and loves to travel. She is very excited to be a SAVE Ambassador so that she can spread the message of non-violence to her classmates in college.

Latoria Sherrill was involved with SAVE for 3 years during high school before graduating from Highland School of Technology in 2003. During her senior year, Latoria served on the National Youth Advisory Board and was also recognized as the SAVE Student of the Year. Latoria now attends East Carolina University where she is currently a senior and is studying Rehabilitation Services with a minor in Drug & Alcohol Studies & Child Development & Family Relationships. During her spare time, Latoria likes shopping, music, poetry, art, traveling and spending time with her family. She is a member of Morningside Missionary Church, a 2001 Debutante, a member of the National Vocational & Technical Honors Society, a member of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority Incorporated, and a Certified Nursing Assistant at Presbyterian Hospital. Latoria volunteers with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Living Assisted Centers. Since graduation, Latoria has maintained a strong working relationship with SAVE by being an active member of the Alumni Council, presenting and speaking at the 2004 summit, and being a National SAVE Ambassador. Latoria feels that SAVE is a very beneficial opportunity. It has made her focus more on the importance of making positive choices. It teaches you to think, react, and overcome any obstacle without resorting to violence. As an ambassador, Latoria hopes to "serve as a role model for youth and help them to make more POSITIVE CHOICES...to make an even bigger impact on their future." Read more

Channing Shor is attending Appalachian State University with a major in Business, this year will be Channing's sixth year involved with SAVE. Shor was on the YAB for three years and served as Chair on the 2005-2006 YAB, 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 middle 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." For Channing, being an ambassador is a chance to stay involved with an orginaztion that has made a huge, positive difference in her life. "SAVE is an excellent orginization for students to be a part of where they can make a difference in their schools. I hope to help other chapters and SAVE members with their activities and assist the YAB with summit planning as well as get to know and work closely with other ambassadors. Once a YABer always a YABer!"

Mary Catherine Tee has been an active member in SAVE for six years. She was the President of her high school chapter both her junior and senior years. She served on the National Youth Advisory Board these two years serving as Vice Chair her Junior year and Chair her Senior year. She is now attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She is double majoring in education and social work. Mary Catherine is also a member of Appalachian State's Habitat for Humanity Club as well as Emerging Leaders. In her spare time, she enjoys going on day hikes and hanging out with her friends. As a National SAVE Ambassador, Mary Catherine hopes to continue to spread the SAVE message and advocate all lessons and teachings of SAVE. To do this, she hopes to increase and promote youth's service in the community and raise violence awareness.
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Gerard Wheeler served as the National Youth Advisory Board Chair for the 2004-2005 school year. This year is Wheeler's sixth year involved with SAVE and his second year serving as an ambassador. Wheeler was president of the Highland School of Technology SAVE step team in 2003-2004 and performed with his peers at the 2003 National SAVE Youth Summit. He received the prestigous SAVE Student of the Year Award in 2005. Wheeler is very interested in increasing communication between youth. He says that communication is a key component to nonviolence because it enables youth to discuss the problem, try to see the other side, and come up with a positive outcome. Wheeler says, "many students do not have a person to talk to when they are having problems and being involved in SAVE automatically gives students a group of people they can talk to and trust." Read more

Amber Virtue is a 2006 graduate of Montbello High School. Amber is currently attending the Community College of Denver, majoring in Registered Nursing, with plans to work at the local childrens hospital as a pediatric nurse. This is Amber's fourth year of being involved in SAVE. She served as on the 2005-2006 National SAVE Youth Advisory Board and this is her first year as a SAVE Ambassador. Amber held multiple offices including Sophmore representative and then as President of her chapter during her junior and senior years. 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 feels that SAVE 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 Ambassador, 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.

Heather Wray, a senior at North Carolina A&T State University, was involved with SAVE for all four years of her high school career. Heather attended Fuquay-Varina High School where she served as her chapters President for three years. Heather served on the National Youth Advisory Board from 2000-2002 and served as Vice Chair and Chair of the Education Committee. She recieved the Presidential Service Award for volunteering over 300 hours with SAVE. After graduating in 2002, Heather continued to work with the National Association of SAVE to help with the graphic design and layout elements of many publications including the 15th Anniversary SAVE calendar, "Ernie the Elephant" coloring books, various brochures and many other projects. At the 2004 SAVE Summit, Heather received the SAVE Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award. Heather will be graduating in December and is majoring in Graphic Communication Studies with a concentration in Printing and Publishing. She was inducted into two honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi and Epsilon Pi Tau. She serves as the Vice President in Epsilon Pi Tau. Heather is currently employed with PBM Graphics. As an ambassador, Heather hopes to "serve as a mentor to the YABers and help to propel SAVE to a higher level."
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