MYC has shaped my character. Ever since I joined MYC my freshman year, I have gotten really involved and by coming to the meetings I learned so many new things. Also, I’ve participated in Summer Youth Dialogues. MYC gave me this opportunity to acknowledge other races and accept other people better. I have been part of several other programs from MYC and they are all very fun!

- Maithri Malladi, 11

When I joined MYC as a freshman, I though of it as a place to just hang out with friends. However, I soon realized that MYC was actually the gateway to a myriad of other opportunities that would help our community and enrich others’ lives. MYC has been an influential factor in my life- through MYC, I have been able to become more involved n the community, and I’ve been able to experience things I could never have imagined experiencing before I was an active participant and leader at MYC.

- Anisha Sudarshan, 11

Honestly, I never though MYC would be anything more than an opportunity to get community service hours for college and the National Honor Society. However, it has provided me with opportunities that I never thought I would be a part of. This summer, I participated in the University of Michigan’s Dialogue Program. It completely changed the way I thought about people in the community. Since then, I have been heavily involved with diversity work and have found something that I really love! I would not have been offered this amazing opportunity if it had not been for MYC!

- Monica Mungarwadi, 11

MYC has been a way for me to make a difference in my community. I have been part of MYC since my freshmen year and I’ve done a lot of advertising for our projects. It has given me some great experiences in understanding my community better. At first, I did MYC during my freshmen year for community service hours but now MYC is something so much bigger to me because it gives me a voice in some of the community events MYC holds.

- Indulekha Ghandikota, 11

MYC has opened up great volunteer opportunities around the city! Overall, it is a great group to be a part of.

- Tanvi Kartal, 10

MYC has been really helpful for me because if allowed my voice to be heard in our community. I feel like I’m an actual part of this community’s future!

- Abi Suresh, 10

If one would like to expand his or her horizons to a level of high achievement and build upon his or her knowledge to new and refined innovative ideas, MYC is the place to be.

- Lekha Mutyala, 10

MYC has been an amazing experience this past year! I never expected to get as much out of it as I have. When I first came into MYC as a freshman, I was not planning on dedicating much of my time to it. Slowly, I grew attached to it and this year I become elected co-treasurer. MYC has led me to many opportunities such as the Youth Dialogue Program. The Youth Dialogue Program has literally changed my life and opened my eyes to discrimination in our community. I would never have gotten the chance to become a Policy Leader if it were not for MYC! I am deeply thankful to all the people that make MYC possible.

- Nikita Mungarwadi, 10

Through MYC, I’ve learned to work as a team, think creatively, and take more responsibility.

- Priyanka Darsi, 10

I like MYC because I get to make new friends, have new experiences, and have good things to put on my college application!

- Vivi Rubles, 10

MYC has given me a platform to make ideas reality. Not only has it prepared me for my future, it has enhanced my abilities to propel through and actually get stuff done. From leadership to working in a team, it has all been approved. MYC was an experience that only ever offered and it is one I shall never forget.

- Taania Girgla, 11

MYC has been an amazing experience for everyone especially me. MYC has helped me do more community outreach programs. This has been a great way to become an active member. I get to make a lot of new friends and learned to work well with different people.

- Sharon Thomas, 10

MYC is a great meeting of bright minds and ideas. We all work together as a team. I have had a lot of fun at events, and will continue to go.

- Justin John Joseph, 10

Throughout the years, I have been changed by MYC. I joined the group for the purposes of community service hours and as a gateway to other volunteering opportunities, but MYC has become so much more. It sounds trite to say, but MYC has literally made me come out of my shell, share my ideas, and start being more assertive about the changes I want to see in our city and our society. Through MYC, I have participated in the Summer Youth Dialogues program, the Michigan Youth Symposium, and many other community events. I direct and produce shows at the MYC Talk Show, teach citizens how to use computers for community service, sit the Commission of Children, Youth, and Families and the Teen Suicide Prevention Taskforce, and I am currently in a group planning a Symposium for councils all over the state. I lead Community Outreach and I am a chair of the MYC. Looking at all of this, it is amazing to me the amount of leadership, interpersonal, and organizational skills I have acquired throughout the years with the amazing support of those around me in this organization. One thing is for sure, people are hearing my voice and I am confident that I am making a difference. I am proud to be part of such a great group that has given me so many wonderful opportunities!

-Kate Diehl, 11

“I joined MYC my sophomore year and my only regret is that I didn’t join sooner. The first meeting I went to I had no idea what everyone was talking about, or why he or she would want to listen to me? I asked a few questions, made a few comments; no one knew who I was, but they all listened to what I HAD TO SAY. It was empowering. Here was an opportunity to transform Farmington from a city with nothing to do, to a place where my friends and I could have fun! Since that first meeting, I have been involved in 2 Battle of the Bands, BUILDING A TEEN CENTER, concerts in the park, and various community service projects. Now going into my senior year I am the co-chair of Mayor's Youth Council, and I invite you as upcoming freshmen to help me make this city a fun place to be. See ya at our upcoming meetings!!” ~ Kelly Refalo

“I first heard about Mayor's Youth Council from a friend; it sounded like fun, so I started coming to meetings. Boy was I surprised; MYC is not just a fun was to meet people but a great way to participate in community service, which is good for college. Also kids think that youth has no say in the world, but MYC gives youth a say, a voice in the community.” ~ Jen Chen

“My time spent with the Mayor's Youth Council connected me to a new environment. After all of my work to create community events and attending the Youth Symposiums, I am inspired by the concept of our generation transforming current attitudes toward humanity.” ~ Ellie Harding

“I heard about MYC in the beginning of my high school career while looking into different extracurricular activities that might interest me, however I did not actually become a member until my junior year of high school. I regret not joining sooner because of all the opportunities that it offers for ones community and ones self. Becoming a member of MYC gives one a voice in their community, may it be about its activities offered to youth or how the youth of the city are treated. My experience in MYC has been an enlightening and enjoyable one, putting me in many real world situations and giving me an opportunity to voice my thoughts.” ~ Christine Kenerson

“In today’s society, the youth are a very different generation from their parents. We are left to live with their expectations, their rules and their lives. Mayor's Youth Council is the first opportunity that I have seen that can change that, people on MYC is setting the bar for youth in Farmington/Farmington Hills. We are making today's society our society and in return it makes us bigger, stronger and more knowledgeable people. It is essential for those people who want to make a difference to become leaders. Mayor's Youth Council can be the first stepping stone across the river.” ~ Curtis McGuire

“My Mayor’s Youth Council experience introduced me to recreation and increased my student leadership abilities. I met new contacts in the field of government and learned the value of community service.” ~ Nicole Boychuk

“I joined for many reasons. One was I knew some friends who where all ready on the council. Second, this way I would know more about what was going on in the city of Farmington Hills. Third, I wanted to make a difference; I wanted Farmington to be a better place. Finally, when I went, I discovered I could make a difference. Another plus was meeting other kids in Farmington; I knew all of the Harrison kids but meet others from Farmington and North Farmington High Schools.” ~ Andrew Maclean

“MYC gives kids an opportunity that they would otherwise never have. They have a chance to serve their community and make a real difference in the decisions that our local government makes on our behalf. This is an experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life, and it will help you with what ever career you choose to pursue.” ~ Christina Arnold