GO Pantry, a nonprofit working to combat food insecurity among area schoolchildren, has expanded its Student Ambassador and Junior Board programs for the 2023-24 school year.
These leadership positions are a unique opportunity for high school students to learn about community service through hands-on participation with GO Pantry’s board of directors. Both programs are designed to represent GO Pantry among area high schools, to grow student knowledge of non-profit work, and to increase awareness of food insecurity throughout Northern Kentucky.
GO Pantry’s mission is to provide emergency food support to Northern Kentucky kids in need. The development of the Junior Board and Ambassador programs is an important focus of its “Kids Feed Kids” program.
What initially started as volunteer opportunities for teens has evolved into an intentional student-driven community leadership initiative. The GO Pantry Ambassador Council (GPAC) is a group of high school students working together to make GO Pantry stronger by leading food drives and community events. Their creativity and energy helps spread the word about childhood food insecurity, which helps fuel the mission to feed our local kids in need.
Matt McIntire and Kelly Perry provide professional leadership and mentorship to both programs for GO Pantry.
“The GPAC program has grown to 35 students representing 13 schools throughout Northern Kentucky,” said McIntire. “Each student brings passion, creativity and compassion to their service on the council. We see great potential in this group of young leaders, and we are excited to see what they accomplish for their classmates who need food support.”
GO Pantry received a record number of applications this year. The following students were selected based on their applications, interviews, school achievements and previous volunteer service in the community.
Junior Board Members:
• Madison Disibio, Boone County High School
• Ethan Leicht, Cooper High School
• Emily Wolf, Cooper High School
Ambassadors:
• Paige Greis, Beechwood High School
• Joshua Zyzak, Beechwood High School
• Courtney Dietrich, Beechwood High School
• Rileigh Sherman, Campbell County High School
• Carson Gould, Covington Catholic High School
• Cooper Stout, Covington Catholic High School
• Wyatt Levi, Conner High School
• Shepherd Dozier, Conner High School
• Morgan Brown, Cooper High School
• Jared Brewer, Cooper High School
• Violet Birtcil, Cooper High School
• Joseph Coutinho, Holy Cross High School
• Paige Summe, Notre Dame Academy
• Tessa Schulte, Notre Dame Academy
• Kat Heuker, Notre Dame Academy
• Will Downing, Ryle High School
• Andrew Roach, Ryle High School
• Payton Erion, Ryle High School
• Addison Biss, Ryle High School
• Addison Turnbull, Ryle High School
• Ari Edmonds, Scott High School
• Gracie Wright, Scott High School
• Corisa Wellman, St. Henry District High School
• Kayla Rose, St. Henry District High School
• Audrey Holian, St. Henry District High School
• Nathan Francis, St. Henry District High School
• Sydney Short, Villa Madonna Academy
• Jack Adams, Villa Madonna Academy
• Rebecca Raziano, Villa Madonna Academy
• Maya Kondik, Villa Madonna Academy
• Annie Chadwick, Villa Madonna Academy
• Gracey Crump, Williamstown High School
“It’s amazing to see what is being achieved by this group of student leaders from throughout the Northern Kentucky community,” said Kelly Perry, GPAC co-leader. “We are honored to have them represent the GO Pantry Ambassadors and to share the issue of food insecurities in our schools with their fellow classmates and the community.”
GO Pantry