Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (MYAC)

Mayor Dave Wood Youth Advisory Council

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) is open to high school students who live in or attend school in Mishawaka, Indiana. Students are nominated to serve on the MYAC because of their academic excellence, leadership and community involvement they exhibit in their school and community. The council is comprised of sophomore, junior and seniors, who serve out a 2-year term.

What to expect

Students learn about municipal government, area businesses and participate in Mishawaka Parks Department and other City of Mishawaka activities that take place in our community. Students participate in a large community project in October and form committees to complete a Leadership Project at the end of each school year.

The Council meets monthly. In addition, the MYAC may attend events and activities related to their initiatives and responsibilities on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Our projects

Thanksgiving Food Drive

The MYAC is working on their biggest community service project of the year. Consider donating non-perishable items or monetary donations by November 15th to help provide Thanksgiving dinners to families in need. Donations can be place in MYAC boxes found at City Hall, the Utility Business Office, the Police Department and the Battell Center.

Following is a list of needed items, but any non-perishable food items are appreciated.

Canned Green Beans
Canned Yams
Marshmallows
Boxes of Instant Potatoes
Cans/Jars Of Gravy
Boxed Stuffing
Mushroom Soup
French Fried Onions
Cranberry Sauce
Boxed Desserts
Aluminum Foil
Disposable Foil Turkey Pans

Pocket Park

Mayor Wood and the MYAC cut the ribbon of their 2022 Leadership Project, the Mishawaka Pocket Park. The Pocket Park, which was conceptually designed by the MYAC, is a beautiful signature park in the heart of Mishawaka’s historical downtown.

Planning the pocket park began last fall and was made possible from the students’ crowdfunding efforts. Within only two months, the MYAC was able to raise over $50,000 from local businesses, private donors, and local organizations. These donations were matched by the State of Indiana’s Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and Patronicity Program, totaling $100,000.

MYAC Room

The City of Mishawaka moved their City Hall location from the former Bingham School at 600 E. Third Street to the former Liberty Mutual Building at 100 Lincolnway West. This large, brick structure was remodeled by the City to combine three previous municipal locations, all into one. City of Mishawaka Departments, the Mishawaka Utilities Business Office and the Mishawaka Police Department all now share this same address. Once the announcement of the new City Hall was made, Mayor Wood challenged the MYAC to create a space within it that the MYAC could call their own. With meetings to construct their ideas, the MYAC space came to life. This is now where the MYAC holds their monthly meetings.

Heroes Park

Heroes Park, formally known as Hums Park, is located on Mishawaka’s southeast side. The MYAC revitalized this park and specifically designed it for teenagers. This significant investment of $500,000 was a combination of City funds, grants from My Community My Vision and Patronicity grants, and donations of local sponsors. Visitors to the park can experience firsthand the thoughtful input of teenagers, evident in features like the Fitcore extreme obstacle course inspired by “American Ninja Warrior” and a ga-ga ball pit. Moreover, the park pays tribute to local individuals who have made an impact and remarkable contributions to Mishawaka, fostering a sense of community pride and appreciation. As the park continues to evolve with ongoing improvement projects, it remains a symbol of youth empowerment and civic collaboration in Mishawaka.

Join the MYAC for their end of the year final leadership project!

Our officers

AriannaRice-600x600 — Arianna Rice
President
Arianna is a senior at Penn High School where she participates in yearbook, Key Club, plant club, and am a mentor for a middle school yearbook club. She also serves as a chair person on the Executive Committee through the MYAC. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, coaching volleyball through NIVA, and watching crime documentaries! Arianna plans to major in Elementary Education with a double minor in Psychology and Graphic Design.

TyCaruso-600x600 — Ty Caruso
Vice President
Ty loves genealogy and his favorite thing about himself is the meaning and history of his last name. Ty loves reading about history and studying philosophy. His favorite books include “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath and “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. Ty wants to major in political science at either the University of Southern California or Indiana University.

AnnaYoder-600x600 — Anna Yoder
Secretary
Anna is a Junior at Mishawaka High School and participates in media, choir, and theatre. Anna truly enjoys her time at the MYAC with new friends she’s made, learning about local government and volunteering at various community events.

LydiaC-600x600 — Lydia Choi
Treasurer
Lydia is a senior at Marian High School. She is the vice president of the MHS National Honor Society, and is heavily involved with performing scientific research. Lydia also regularly plays the flute for her church. She also enjoys reading and bouldering in her free time.

IshitaM-600x600 — Ishita Masetty
Communications Coordinator
Ishita is a junior at Penn High School. She is an author, scientific researcher, public speaker, and advocate for underserved populations. In her free time, she enjoys reading or annoying her brothers (dog included)!

NishProshun-600x600 — Nish Proshun
Mayor’s Liaison
Nish attends Penn High School and is committed to improving his community for the better. When not participating Youth Council, he enjoys activities such as the Indiana Housing Community Development (IHCDA) Youth Advisory Board, First Robotics Competition, NHS, and Penn Orchestras.

ParkerNorris-600x600-Fall2024 — Parker Norris
MYAC Alumni Volunteer
Parker Norris is a former member and President of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (2016-2018). As a longtime Mishawaka resident, Parker prides himself in maintaining connections with the local community and empowering youth to be the best versions of themselves. When not assisting the MYAC, Parker works as a videographer in the Mishawaka/South Bend region.

MaddieCunningham-600x600 — Maddison Cunninham
Mayor’s Office Intern
Maddie is currently a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame studying Political Science. She plans to attend law school in the future and become an attorney. Maddie grew up on a farm in rural Colorado on the northeast plains, and has a younger brother named Dane. She is excited to work alongside the youth council and learn more about the inner workings of local government.

Our current council

The current council comprises students from Mishawaka High School, Penn High School, and Marian High School.

Ellie Adams
Emily Archambeault
Domenic Buysse
Ty Caruso
Lydia Choi
Margaret Coppens-Clark
Ethan Cunningham-Gloster
Londyn Duval
Mckinzie Finn
Sophia Garatoni
Kate Gradeless
Leah Gradeless
Grace Henry
Prescott Horvath
Ellis Kaplan
Angie Lin
John Loesch
Millie Mammolenti
Brianna Marable
Ishita Masetty
Hugh Michel
Landen Neighbour
Sheridan Pellico
Josephine Phillips
Orianna Pierce
Tobias Prince
Nicholas Quiett
Arianna Rice
Andrew Rimelspach
Lydia Shely
Blake Vandenburg
Caitlyn “C.J” Vantine
Eliza Wright
Anna Yoder