Youth Advisory Committee
Over 20 years ago, in efforts to increase the giving capacity of Community Foundations and to engage youth in the grant making process, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation sponsored a Youth Challenge for Community Foundations to grow youth endowment funds. These endowment funds were to be used exclusively for grants allocated by youth advisory committees for local nonprofits’ youth programming.
The Schoolcraft County Community Foundation applied for a grant through the Youth Challenge. In May of 1998, SCCF announced it had met the $30,000 goal. The first Youth Advisory Council or YAC was established.
YAC is a subcommittee of SCCF with a permanently endowed youth fund, the Kellogg Fund. It is composed of youth members ages 12-21 who review and allocate grant dollars to local non-profits’ youth programming. YAC recommendations are reviewed and voted on by the SCCF board of directors.
Grants from the Kellogg Fund must be recommended by the Youth Advisory Council, which it does twice a year, in May and November. YAC also does community service and fund raising under the direction of its coordinator, Alyssa Mason.
Since those early beginnings, the Kellogg Fund’s balance on Aug. 31, 2020 was about $155,000. Since SCCF grants only from earnings, not from principal, the Kellogg Fund has about $5,887 available for granting in 2021.
Manistique’s 2023-24 Youth Advisory Council (missing Kaylin Morrison)
The YAC group above is involved in more than twelve different MHSAA and club high school sports teams. In addition, the council has representation in ten various organizations within the school and community setting. Several students also obtain part-time employment with local businesses. These students are the future workforce, volunteers, and board members of our community. It is an honor to see them learn the art of giving back to their roots at such a young age.
2023-24 Officers
President – Ella Schuetter
Vice President – Maya Carlson
Secretary – Brianna Tiglas
Treasurer – Nate Schoenow
Seniors
Carsyn Hinkson: Carsyn plays hockey, basketball, football and runs track. He enjoys hanging out with friends and playing video games. Carsyn is the son of Steve Hinkson and Shanna Hoholik.
Nathan Schoenow: Nate is the son of Dr. David and Jenny Schoenow. In high school, he participates in swimming (currently holding ALL individual school records), golf, is the treasurer of YETI, student leadership (treasurer), National Honor Society, and is an Eagle Scout within the BSA organization. In his spare time, Nate likes to hunt, fish, swim and camp.
Ella Schuetter: Ella loves spending time with family and friends as well as appreciating the outdoors. She is active in YETI, student leadership, National Honor Society, a founding member of our Community Outreach group, and varsity volleyball (holding the record for most kills in a season). Ella is the daughter of Greg Schuetter and Britteny Eveningred.
Juniors
Michael Lamb: Michael is the son of Pat and Kim Lamb. He is involved in robotics, scouting, and quiz bowl. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, woodworking, and snowmobiling.
Blake Mason: Blake is currently involved in basketball, track and field, and Boy Scouts. He enjoys sports and being outdoors when not in school or organized activities. Blake is the son of Erik and Alyssa Mason.
Brianna Tiglas: Bri is active in YETI, swimming and track at Manistique Schools. She is also involved in National Honor Society and travel hockey. Bri enjoys working at The Grind. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with friends/family, and reading. Bri is the daughter of B.J. and Jodi Tiglas.
Sophomores
Maya Carlson: Maya is involved in hockey (travel team), track and field, cross country, YETI, basketball and volleyball. You may wonder how she has free time, but she also enjoys being outside, hanging out with friends, golfing and camping. Maya is the daughter of Jon and Laura Carlson.
Kaylin Morrison: Kaylin represents softball, drama and the newly formed All Inclusive Club (A.I.C) for her school. Outside of school she enjoys reading and playing softball. Kaylin is the daughter of Kris and Jodie Morrison.
Tanner Papple: Tanner is involved in quiz bowl, robotics, track, soccer, YETI and student council. When not active in all these activities, he enjoys reading and playing video games. Tanner is the son of Dixie Papple.
Freshmen
Please join us in welcoming these new members and the unique perspective they bring to our group.
Matthew Clark: Matt is active in cross country, basketball and soccer. Outside of school, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing basketball. Matt is the son of Daniel and Sheila Clark.
Lily Knaffla: Lily is the daughter of Janet Knaffla and Kevin Knaffla. She is involved in Book Club, drama, Girl Scouts, Glee, the All Inclusive Club (AIC), and yearbook. In her free time, she enjoys art, mountain biking, reading, and skiing.
COME SAIL AWAY!
Students in Manistique High School’s biology and chemistry classes enjoyed a trip to Sutton’s Bay, MI where they boarded the Inland Seas to learn and engage in Great Lakes science. The Schoolcraft County Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council recommended granting $600 to help pay transportation costs for 29 students to attend the Inland Seas Education Association scholarship program last year. The funding came from the foundation’s Kellogg Youth Fund.