FOUNDERS
Samantha Stephenson
YPC FACULTY FACILITATOR
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"YPC is a great [way] to get involved in your community, to stay active, to meet new people, to work in groups, and to really learn about working in philanthropy, working for non-profits, and helping your community. One thing I really love about it is that the students can do their passion project and learn about non-profits and issues that they are really dedicated for. It is a great place to learn about all the wonderful non-profits in our city, a great way for us to directly help our city and give back to our faithful community who are always there to help us, a great way to make friends, and a great way to work with your passion."
Mary-Kate Cusick
YPC STUDENT FOUNDER
"I saw how this club exposes you to things within your community and throughout the world. Things that you wouldn't normally see and things that the average high schooler wouldn't be exposed to, and that is what made me want to bring it to Walnut. What made me passionate about YPC was the ability to work one-on-one with non-profits in the Cincinnati area. It wasn't just researching and writing out information. We were really able to talk to someone that was there on a day-to-day basis and learn about what they saw and what they did in their daily lives. So on top of all the research, we were really able to see everything that they do and all the positive impact and change that they bring."
Samantha Stephenson and Mary-Kate Cusick at the Magnified Giving Final Ceremony in 2018.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Isabella Zinchini
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Emma Gaver
Lillian Brennan
PRESIDENT
This is Zinchini's fifth year in Youth Philanthropy Council and she is extremely excited to be working with such an awesome group of people!
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When she's not working as a philanthropist, Zinchini enjoys being a part of Walnut Hills High School's Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and News Paper editorial staff.
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In her spare time, Zinchini likes to play her clarinet, ukulele, guitar, violin, and piano, as well as write and compose songs and learn new instruments.
Emma Weber
HEAD OF VOLUNTEERING
Weber is a senior who was new to Walnut and was looking for something that aligned with her interests, which is why she joined YPC.
Her greatest accomplishment in YPC was coordinating the animal adoption event.
Her favorite YPC memory is My Furry Valentine Event.
Her hobbies include soccer and reading.
Adriana Sneed
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
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Sneed is a senior who wanted to have more involvement in her community, so she joined YPC.
Her greatest accomplishment in YPC was becoming co-head of Fundraising, and her favorite YPC memory is when her non-profit Sojourner came to talk to the club.
Outside of YPC, Sneed enjoys being a representative in student congress and she is the vice president of her club, Black Girls Prosper.
Sydney Elliot
VICE HEAD OF MARKETING
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Elliot is a junior at YPC, making this her second year in the council. She joined because she loves helping people, and she wanted to meet new friends!
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Her greatest accomplishment in YPC was winning the grant money for her non-profit.
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Outside of YPC, Elliot works at the Alba salon and participates in student council.
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VICE PRESIDENT
Gaver is a current senior at WHHS. This is her fifth year in YPC.
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She loves YPC because of the friends she has made and because she loves working with non-profits.
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She has a youtube channel, and is an employee at Nothing Bundt Cakes in Hyde Park.
Her favorite memory at YPC is when her group won the grant!
Ava Van Praag
HEAD OF MARKETING
Van Praag is a senior who first joined YPC because she has friends in the club.
Her greatest accomplishment is deciding to have a leadership role, and her favorite memory is helping with the Earth Jam last year.
Outside of YPC, Van Praag enjoys swimming, softball, lifeguarding, and hostessing at Sleepy Bee Downtown.
Bella Gillotti
TREASURER
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Gillotti is a senior who joined YPC accidentally, but fell in love with it.
Her greatest accomplishment in YPC is being able to be a Group Leader, and hearing that they met/exceeded their donation goal.
Her hobbies include reading, playing rugby, and participating in mock trial.
Sam Rowlett
GROUP LEADER/RECRUITMENT
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Rowlett has been a part of YPC for four years, and has been a group leader for the past two.
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Rowlett's favorite part of YPC has been all of the face painting events for underclassmen.
She loves reading, art, and music. Her favorite classes are Chinese and Seminar, ironically, despite hating public speaking.
SECRETARY
This is Brennan's fourth year on Youth Philanthropy Council and she is so excited to start working bake sales again.
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When she is not typing notes from our various meetings, Brennan enjoys playing Water Polo for our lady eagles, as well as baking in her free time.
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Brennan's favorite thing do to in the council is see and talk to Roger. She loves his kindness and love for helping others.
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Hulda Wale
HEAD OF FUNDRAISING
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Wale is a senior who first joined YPC because of her love for volunteering and philanthropy.
Her greatest accomplishment in YPC was as the co-head of Fundraising, raising almost $1,000 in fundraising.
When she isn't working in YPC, Wale enjoys playing violin, volunteering, and working with others.
Catherine Green
VICE HEAD OF MARKETING
Green is a senior who joined YPC because it seemed really interesting and two of her best friends were encouraging her to join.
Her greatest accomplishment in YPC is becoming a group leader, and her favorite memory is volunteering at an animal adoption event.
Outside of YPC, Green enjoys playing soccer, reading, writing, and working as a referee on weekends.
Tess Fightmaster
GROUP LEADER
This is Fightmaster's third year participating in the Youth Philanthropy Council and her first as a member of leadership. She is very excited to see what the future holds for YPC.
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Fightmaster loves philanthropy and helping younger peers expand their love for helping others. Her goal is to continue to inspire people to do the best that they can for the world.
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When not engaged in activities for YPC, she is reading, making friendship bracelets, or enjoying the sunshine. This is also her third year on the Walnut Hills Swim Team.
Kristina Klimov
GROUP LEADER
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This is Klimov's second year in YPC. Originally she joined because she wanted to help her community by volunteering and becoming more involved in philanthropy.
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Klimov's favorite memory from YPC was making cards for a retirement community, as well as watching the different non-profits present for the grant.
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Outside of YPC she plays volleyball and participates on student council.
Lily Zink
GROUP LEADER
Zink is a senior at Walnut Hills this year. It is her third year in YPC.
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Her favorite memory is experiencing her first non profit presentation and learning so much about what they do and how to get involved.
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Outside of YPC, Zink volunteers and plays soccer. She love traveling and seeing new places.
Luis Rodas-Morales
GROUP LEADER
This is Rodas-Morales's senior year, as well as his second year in Youth Philanthropy Council.
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Rodas-Morales originally joined YPC because he wanted to help out his community by having more volunteer opportunities.
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His favorite memory at YPC was handing out essential sanitary supplies at a homeless shelter.
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Outside of YPC he plays soccer with his friends and participates in martial arts.