CINCINNATI, OH (October 22, 2018) – Two National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Youth Docents have been recruited to join the 2018-2019 Smithsonian Secretary’s Youth Advisory Council (SSYAC). Mya Dunn, a sophomore at Saint Ursula Academy, and Chase Pope, a senior at Walnut Hills High School, will participate in their first SSYAC meeting this week.
In 2016, Secretary David Skorton established the inaugural SSYAC to provide an organized youth perspective regarding various issues to the Smithsonian Secretary and his leadership. For 2018-2019, the program is comprised of 10 DC-area teens and 10 national teens associated with 5 Smithsonian Affiliates: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati, OH; Upcountry History Museum, Greenville, SC; The Rockwell Museum, Corning, NY; Arab American National Museum, Dearborn, MI; and Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, TX. The local Washington, D.C. teens meet at the Smithsonian in person, while the Affiliate teen members meet at the same time through video conference. Members of the council serve for one term (October 2018 to April 2019) with an option to serve a second term. There will be six official meetings during the 2018-2019 term.
"We are incredibly proud of Mya and Chase," says Tara Riley, Senior Director of Museum Experiences at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. "Their leadership skills and enthusiasm make them an excellent addition to the Smithsonian Secretary’s Youth Advisory Council. Mya and Chase will represent the museum well and contribute greatly to the council."
To learn more about the Youth Docent Program at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, visit freedomcenter.org. To learn more about the Smithsonian Secretary’s Youth Advisory Council, visit si.edu.