IYCLAC Council Members 2016-2017
Officer Positions
Ariella Amit
President
Jewish, Grade 12
Ariella has been a part of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Honor Society at school. She is on her school's golf team which placed first in their league and played at city finals. She was formerly the Social Action/Tikkun Olam (which means repairing the world in Hebrew) VP at her Temple's youth group. Through her temple she has helped plan events to raise money for charity organizations, worked with Jewish special needs youth,
volunteered at PATH, and volunteered at the National Council of Jewish Women to help set up a back to school store for underprivileged families. Ariella writes and performs slam poetry, plays violin, and can perform on aerial silks, rope and hoop.
"I think Los Angeles County needs excited, involved youth that are willing to break out of religious stereotypes and their own comfort zones in order to bond with separated communities. I think that LA County could really benefit from unity and education of different cultures. A lot of this area is secluded and not exposed to other experiences and religious faiths and cultures. By breaking stereotypes and bonding youth, we can later emerge with a more accepting, equal and united society."
Sam Schulman
Vice President
Jewish, Grade 11
Sam has been shaving his head and raising funds for pediatric cancer research for 8 years and he has been honored as a knight of the Bald table for St. Baldricks foundation. At school he has been on the honor roll multiple times. He volunteers at his temple by helping students get ready for their bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah. He also volunteers at the Jewish Community Center pre-school during the summers.
"In order for things to change, we have to involve the youth. They are the new generation and they need to learn from an early age about tolerance. They need to be open minded and willing to accept people's differences instead of judging others. One way to accomplish this goal is to do good things in the our communities and to be a good example for others."
Emily DiPressi
Secretary
Catholic, Grade 12
Emily is an Honor Roll student with a 4.0 GPA, varsity tennis captain and is the Community Service and School Staff Recognition Chairman at her school. She has volunteered at her local library for three summers helping with the kids' summer reading program. She is a peer leader at her church and helps with Confirmation classes. She also volunteers in a second grade religious education class and with Catholic organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul (food collections) and Knights of Columbus (triennial garage sale). At her school she organized a blood drive and a community service trip to a local hospital on Halloween.
"I think that Los Angeles County needs more youth involvement in current events. This could be in politics and government--not only caring about what is going on at a local level, but also at a federal level so when it comes time to vote the young adults can make an educated decision. It could also be done through service projects and community service. I think that the youth could be more involved in making their communities better by volunteering at a local shelter or even by just picking up trash on the ground. The youth can be more involved in spreading awareness not only for different religions, but other underrepresented groups they are passionate about. Information going from youth to youth could be a major step in ending the multi-faith barrier."
Jocelyn Buska
Treasurer
LDS, Grade 11
Jocelyn has been on honor roll, received the principal's achievement list, and received student of the month at her school. She has received the bronze award and silver award in the Girl Scouts and is currently working on achieving the gold award. She has over 300 hours of community service and has been involved in so many community service activities such as making Easter baskets for the homeless, bringing toys to children at Millers Children's Hospital, making blankets for the poor, working in multiple food banks, helping with the special Olympics, donating food and toys to the animal shelter, and donating food and supplies to the military.
"I have experienced people arguing over different religions and who is right or wrong.Some people try to make others lose their faith so they can get them to join what religion they believe in. Everyone has their own opinions, but we should let people believe in whatever religion they want to. Multi-faith and interfaith activities are not about converting people to your religion. It is about gaining knowledge of other religions and sharing your own faith with others."