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“This program has not only taught me about the significance of the arts, it has also taught me the significance of community and leadership,” she says. Shivani Madhav, 16, of Chandler High School says she “really learned a lot about what factors are included when creating a non-profit fundraising event.” Shivani enjoyed seeing the results of their efforts. “It was great to see that all the hard work we did was worth it. ... We raised more than $700 that was going to be part of these art scholarships; the scholarships would be given to kids who couldn’t afford being in summer art programs.” Shivani, whose passion is photography, says she’ll continue to be involved in the arts. For Miruthula Jegadesan, 17, the best part was “getting to know new people,” adding “it was a really good experience.” “It’s a good opportunity for really shy and quiet people to be themselves,” she says. The Corona del Sol student loves to paint, dance and sing, and she hopes to minor in the arts. Leif J. Greiner-Gansen, 14, says, “I love to volunteer and I love the arts.” The Metropolitan Arts Institute student also lovs “talking to people that are on [arts] boards and seeing how it works.” At graduation in March, teens are awarded a Certificate of Completion. Their names are displayed in the Chandler Center for the Arts lobby. The program is made possible by the Chandler Cultural Foundation and sponsors. “We have a lot of community support,” Mac Lennan says. Teens also leave a mark on the arts center: Their feedback that the center needed “more programming that is designed for their age group” led to the addition of new music programming, Mac Lennan says. Some YAC Alumni come back to help the new class of advisers. “They really do get to impact our processes,” she says. “It’s really the most inspiring thing we have going on.” 202
Youth Council Advisory Program Alumni share their experiences
Miruthula Jegadesan, 17: “We learned a lot, things we have never thought of.” She also enjoyed “being more involved” and doing a lot of teamwork. “It’s really nice for Chandler Arts Center to do this.” Leif J. Greiner-Gansen, 14: Leif enjoyed meeting new people and “talking to people that are on the (arts) boards and seeing how it works.” Shivani Madhav, 16: “[The program] showed me that I can constantly find ways to help and improve the community by putting my voice out there and just putting myself out there as a leader. The program also taught me how important the arts serve in our community and how aware people need to be of them.” Ariana Banda, 17: “Working with people who truly care about the arts and want to keep it going is beautiful and I am honored to be a part of that.” She added that “By working together we can make a difference in the art community and I plan on coming back this year to help Debbie [Rubenstrunk] and the new YACs with anything that they need.” Alex Palmatier, 17: “The program taught me skills such as etiquette, the qualities that make up a good board member, and also showed me aspects of a performing arts center that I was unaware of beforehand. Debbie Rubenstrunk was an amazing leader, and I could not be more grateful for the friendships and experiences through the program.”
202magazine.com / AUGUST 2013 / 202 MAGAZINE
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