 Founder: Ryan Costella
Ryan grew up as the eldest of six children. After graduating from Carson High School in 2000, he earned a swimming scholarship and received a BA magna cum laude in Political Science and English and a minor in Chinese at Villanova University in Philadelphia, PA in May of 2004. He immediately took his academic career to the University of Cambridge in England where he received a Master of Philosophy in Chinese Economy and Management degree in October of 2006. Ryan is a White House Fellowship Regional Finalist as well as a Fulbright Scholar and a Rhodes Scholarship Finalist. He believes that the answers to today's problems and those of the 21st century lie in the hearts and minds of America's youth. In Ryan’s words: “My dream is for Youth Voice to evolve into a nationally recognized and respected organization that educates and motivates America's youth to actively participate in all levels of American and global society.”
 Secretary: Kaja Odegard
Kaja Odegard is the Secretary for Youth Voice. Originally from southern California, she moved to Carson City, Nevada during middle school, and upon graduating from high school in 2000, she spent a year in Denmark studying and mastering Dutch. After a year abroad, Kaja returned to the U.S. to attend California Lutheran University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Political Science and International Studies. In college, Kaja was an active member and officer in the political and community service clubs on campus, as well as Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society. Since graduating in 2005, Kaja has been living in San Francisco working in a law firm, gaining experience for a potential future career in law. Kaja believes that Youth Voice will invigorate America’s youth. In her words: “I am excited about being involved with Youth Voice and to be involved with an organization that will be a great resource to increase youth involvement in the political arena.”
 Chief Financial Officer: Joe Lynn
Joseph Lynn was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. In high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society and his church’s youth group. After graduating in 2000, he studied business at Gonzaga University for two years and then returned to northern Nevada where he obtained an associate's degree in accounting. Joe has extensive experience working in the banking and accounting industries. Joseph is currently working on his bachelor's degree in accounting at the University of Nevada, Reno. Joseph is involved with Youth Voice as the Financial Director because he believes in the vision of the organization and its members. In his words: “Providing Youth Voice with a stable financial foundation will allow the organization to flourish into a positive force that will promote civic involvement in all facets of our society.”
 Fundraising Director:
Araceli Madera
Araceli Madera is the Fundraising Director for Youth Voice, Inc. She is a graduate of Carson High School, and is currently a senior in the International Affairs program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Araceli has gained significant experience as a business analyst for a local insurance agency. Araceli is inspired by youth and feels that if given resources like Youth Voice, young people are capable of positively impacting the community at all levels. In Araceli’s words: “Today’s youth are creative and intelligent people who just need to be given the opportunity to have their ideas expressed and their voices heard.”
 Director of Media Relations:
Andrew Pederson
After graduating from Carson High School in 2003, Andrew moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania, BA program in Anthropology. As Director of Media Relations, Andrew is looking forward to creating and projecting Youth Voice’s image onto the public stage. He hopes to promote and articulate the goals of Youth Voice to a wide audience and help support the dynamism of the organization with his creative and writing abilities. In Andrew’s words: “I believe that the youth of America are an untapped and often overlooked resource. I have joined Youth Voice’s team to be a part of the revitalization of political activism among young people. I believe that through grassroots programs that target America’s youth, Youth Voice will inspire widespread constructive change.”
 Director of Election Affairs: Abbey Gardner
Abbey was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. After graduating from Carson High School in 2000, she attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas and received a BA in theatre studies. She moved to San Francisco after graduating from college, where she was a stage manager and served as a teacher of theater arts to children. Abbey just returned from a year of work and travel from New Zealand. In addition to serving as the Chief Elections Officer for Youth Voice, she will be going back to school full-time starting in August of 2006 at Sierra Nevada College to get elementary and secondary teaching credentials and serve as a substitute teacher. Abbey’s mission in life is to work with children. In her words, “I can't imagine anything more I want to do with my life than to work with kids!” As part of the Youth Voice team, Abbey hopes to heighten her own personal awareness of current events and politics. In addition, she wants to motivate today’s youth to be more active with their peers in society at city, state, and national levels.
 Director of Community Service Initiatives: Aron Schnaser
Aron just graduated from the University of Southern California in August and is taking a year off from school to apply to medical school. During his year off, he will be teaching vocational skills to children at the St Cloud Children’s Home in St Cloud, Minnesota through Americorps. He is involved with Youth Voice because he believes it will become a powerful political organization that will allow young people to be equally represented in our government at all levels. In Aron’s words: “I hope to build Youth Voice to a national level so young people across the country will realize the importance of political involvement.”
 Community Outreach Director: Greg Bailor
After graduating from Galena High School in 2005 with an Advanced Diploma, Greg has continued his education at the Truckee Meadows Community College, where he is pursuing a major in Construction Management. While at Galena, his activities included Chapter President of Future Business Leaders of America, Senior Editor of the Yearbook, Captain of the Bowling Team, and Member of Lacrosse Club. His interest in politics began during his senior year of high school, after he took part in the City of Reno’s Student Day City Council Shadow Program and took AP Government. Apart from school, Greg works for his father’s construction business in Reno. Greg seeks to educate young people about government and increase civic activity and involvement. In his words: “I believe that the youth of America have been brought up in a world of political apathy. Young people of today care about the issues and need to learn how to influence the decisions of tomorrow.”
 Events Coordinator: Danielle Costella
Danielle brings a unique wisdom and dynamic enthusiasm to Youth Voice, seeking to place the organization into the state and national spotlights. After graduating from Carson High School in 2001, Danielle began her college career at the University of Northern Colorado. After her first year in Colorado, her dancing abilities afforded her the opportunity to join the internationally acclaimed performing arts group The Young Americans. After traveling around the world and introducing children to the world of performing arts, she continued her education at Orange Coast College until her dancing talent opened the door to being featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Reno’s Hometown Nutcracker and then as the lead dancer for the Sandcastle Saipan at the Grand Hyatt in Saipan, Micronesia. Danielle returns to Reno to continue her studies at the University of Nevada, Reno and teach dance for the Reno Dance Company. She believes Youth Voice has a unique potential to reach various ages of youth and motivate them to be more active in society. In her words: “I am very excited about bringing Youth Voice’s message into the public spotlight and reinvigorating the masses of America.”
 Co-Director of Las Vegas Operations: Joey Hurzel
Joey is a native of Carson City, Nevada. Throughout high school he was a star swimmer on the Carson High Swim Team. He was also recognized on numerous occasions at the state level for his exceptional culinary abilities. After graduation, Joey moved to Las Vegas to continue his interest in culinary arts in his pursuit of a BA in Restaurant Management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Joey is now putting his degree to work by managing a restaurant and bar at a five star hotel in Las Vegas. Joey is they eyes and ears of Youth Voice in Las Vegas. He believes that Youth Voice can be a statewide force that can lead the country in motivating people to be active in their communities. In his words: “I hope to help bring Youth Voice’s mission to Las Vegas and tap into the large population of young creativity and talent that has the potential to reshape the world of tomorrow.”
 Director of High School Operations: Heather Costella
Heather is currently a sophomore at Carson High School and plays the role of Director of High School Operations on the Youth Voice Board of Directors. She is an active member in her school through extracurricular activities such as Student Council and National Honor Society. She is also a national caliber ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop dancer with the Reno Dance Company. Being a driven and dedicated individual, Heather is looking forward to contributing to Youth Voice’s mission. In her words: “I whole-heartedly believe that the organization will catch the attention of youth and as a group help make a difference in every facet of society.”
 Director of East Coast Affairs: Oscar Abello
Oscar was born in New York City and raised just outside of Philadelphia, Pa. After graduating from Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pa, he moved on to Villanova University where he is majoring in Economics. He is also on staff at Villanova University’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs, where he first met Ryan Costella as the subject of an alumni profile piece for Villanova Magazine. Oscar is a columnist, reporter and former news editor at the weekly school newspaper, The Villanovan, and is currently managing editor at the monthly school newsmagazine, The Culture. “Besides meeting Ryan, reading the by-laws really piqued my interest in Youth Voice. I’m no history buff, but I can’t think of one organization ever that was constructed in this way, so that youth would always be empowered to work among themselves. Many of us like to complain that no one cares about us, about the youth of this country, and maybe that’s because we don’t first care about each other. Youth Voice challenges us to care about each other.”
 Director of Development:
Erin Smith
Erin was born and raised on the west coast. After graduating from Truckee Meadows Community College High School, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Mathematics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is currently enrolled in a Masters program at UNLV, studying Ethics and Public Policy. She works for the first female Speaker of the Nevada Assembly, Barbara Buckley. In her words: "Our system was designed for total participation – anyone who wants to be involved has the ability to do so. In any way, shape or form Youth Voice can help others to partake in the process is a great endeavor that I welcome."
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"Every individual is…supposed to be as well informed, as virtuous, and as strong as any of his fellow citizens."
Alexis De Tocqueville in Democracy in America |
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