New Teen Advisory Board Steps Up for Students
Heroes In Waiting is proud to announce our 2024-2025 Teen Advisory Board! The Board is an opportunity for Oklahoma high school students to develop leadership skills, think critically and creatively, and contribute to Heroes In Waiting’s life-changing anti-bullying and peace-building programming for kids of all ages who struggle with feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness. Each 9th-12th grade student was selected based on a comprehensive application process that involved the entire Heroes In Waiting team.
“This is a great group of students,” says Tammy Jensen, Heroes In Waiting education coordinator. “They each have a heart for their community, and our team is really looking forward to collaborating to put their talents and energy to work to affect more young lives.”
Last year’s board helped launch the Heroes In Waiting TikTok channel, volunteered at events promoting awareness for youth mental wellness, and amplified our anti-bullying and peace-building message in their schools and friend groups. This year, members will contribute to growing the Heroes In Waiting community, and beta testing and refining a new anti-bullying curriculum being developed for rising 9th-12th graders.
“As we have taken our anti-bullying message into schools and spoken with more educators, we’ve identified a strong need for a version of the curriculum that is suitable for more mature students,” explains Tammy. “With more complex social structures and 24/7 access to social media, we realize older kids face unique challenges, and we need to be able to meet them where they’re at.”
New Teen Advisory Board member Hudson Ferris can’t wait to get started. “Heroes in Waiting has created a great environment for its teen board members to get more involved in the community, connecting and empowering youth,” he says. “The more connected we are, the kinder we are to each other.”
Annabelle Webber, another new board member, agrees. “I want communities as a whole to be able to check up on people every once in a while to say ‘hey, how are you doing,’ and truly mean it. It’s time that we look at our situations and have a culture change.”
The 2024-2025 Heroes In Waiting Teen Advisory Board members are:
Cadan Peters, board chair
2021 Edmond Santa Fe High School graduate
Edmond, Oklahoma
Rachel Smith, board mentor
2024 University of Oklahoma graduate
Edmond, Oklahoma
William Boone
son of Debbie Boone
Sophomore, Crossings Christian School
Edmond, Oklahoma
Sophie Buckler
daughter of William Bryan & Robin Buckler
Junior, Heritage Hall High School
Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
Bailey Carew
daughter of John Carew & Maggie Steelman
Sophomore, Heritage Hall High School
Piedmont, Oklahoma
Cade Dortch, Jr.
son of Thomas & Ashley Dortch
Senior, Edmond Memorial High School
Edmond, Oklahoma
Hudson Ferris
son of David & Meridith Ferris
Junior, Heritage Hall High School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Hadley Hildebrand
daughter of Jason & Melisa Hildebrand
Senior, Heritage Hall High School
Edmond, Oklahoma
Eleanor Hill
daughter of Brian & Melissa Hill
Senior, Southwest Covenant Secondary School
Mustang, Oklahoma
Acacia Martin
daughter of Don & Mary Eldred
Junior, Southwest Covenant School
Mustang, Oklahoma
Harper Martin
daughter of Tony & Cherie Martin
Senior, Heritage Hall High School
Edmond, Oklahoma
Janiyah Martin
daughter of Jamal Martin
Senior, Heritage Hall High School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Channing Peters
daughter of JW & Casi Peters
Sophomore, Jones High School
Edmond, Oklahoma
Will Porter
son of Andrew & Tiffany Porter
Senior, Heritage Hall High School
Edmond, Oklahoma
Noah Ragozzino
son of Kersey Winfree & Donna Ragozzino
Junior, Heritage Hall High School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Claire Samara
daughter of Shea & Alix Samara
Senior, Casady School
Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
Lorelai Sharp
daughter of Ron & Anna Sharp
Junior, Heritage Hall High School
Yukon, Oklahoma
Dominic Trupiano
son of David & Stacey Trupiano
Sophomore, Deer Creek High School
Edmond, Oklahoma
Julie Vo
daughter of Johnson Vo & Kathy Nguyen
Senior, Bishop McGuinness High School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Classen Watkins
daughter of Mike & Chelsea Watkins
Freshman, Edmond Santa Fe High School
Edmond, Oklahoma
Annabelle Webber
daughter of Chris & Regina Webber
Junior, Southwest Covenant School
El Reno, Oklahoma
Cal Welker
son of Lee & Sarah Welker
Senior, Heritage Hall High School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Grae Zedlitz
son of Jack & Sara Zedlitz
Junior, Casady School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma