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By Lois Thomson 

Olivia Cooper and Aaliyah Rice hold the certificates they received for participating in Monessen High School's Youth Council

Rayna Winston displays the 'Break the Cycle' hoodie designed by the Monessen Youth Council

Rayna Winston displays the 'Break the Cycle' hoodie designed by the Monessen Youth Council

Communities That Care (CTC) recently honored the graduating seniors of the Monessen Youth Council at a ceremony and picnic in Monessen City Park.  The 20 youth comprised a group from the high school that convenes on a regular basis to communicate and encourage positivity.

Aaliyah Rice, one of the members, described the Youth Council as "a group that meets a couple of times a month, and we would plan activities that got everyone involved and everyone together.  We just promoted inclusivity."  Rice joined the council "in my junior year – or maybe sophomore – it kind of runs together because of Covid," she said with a laugh.  She added that, "For sure, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to do positive things."

Olivia Cooper joined the group as a freshman.  She said that when she made the decision, she realized that not many of her friends were going along with her.  But that didn't deter her; she made up her mind that, "I'm going to enjoy bringing positivity to the community, bringing people together."

She said in order to join you fill out an application, and once approved, you attend meetings once or twice a month.  "You talk with each other and get to do activities, and enjoy the positivity we're bringing out."

In addition to Cooper and Rice, the graduates were Joshua Arnold, Jai'Sean Blackman, Destani Bynum, Damire Isbell, Giovonie Isbell, Jamayla Jones, Gabrielle McCrae, Alaijah Majors, Jadyn Martin, Peighton Minkus, Madilyn Mutchler, Abigail Rhome, Bella Rizzuto, Linsay Smith, Diane Thomas, Trevian Thompson, Jameer Tyree, Tylia VanHooser.

One of the projects the council worked on this past year was designing a shirt that represented social change. Rayna Winston, assistant to Teresa Seh – CTC's project director and leader of the Youth Group – said the teams came up with the slogan that represents a generational curse:  We repeat what we don't repair.  A chain on the back of the hoodie symbolizes breaking the cycle, while the front shows two hands connecting together.

Seh presented each student with a certificate of appreciation and a $250 scholarship.  "You mean so much to me," she said, adding that she was heartbroken that they were leaving, but rejoicing at what they accomplished and what lies ahead.  What lies ahead are some exciting career paths:  Cooper is heading to WCCC for business administration and cybersecurity, while Rice is going to Penn State for nursing.  One student is going into the Marines.  Others will be studying sports management, marketing, interior architecture, and secondary education, among others.

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