Heartland Community Foundation
The Heartland Community Foundation is proud to announce the 2026-27 Youth Action Council (YAC) members. This leadership and community engagement program brings together high school students from across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties to learn about philanthropy, develop projects, and make a lasting impact in their communities.
The Youth Action Council empowers students to serve as ambassadors for youth voice and youthled change. Members will meet monthly throughout the school year to discuss community needs, review grant applications, develop leadership skills, and launch local service projects.
This year’s council includes 45 students representing eight high schools from across the Heartland region. There are 21 new members and 24 returning members:
Ellis County Members, Hays High School
• Isaac Bloom, senior
• Kamden McBride, senior
• Elsa Brungardt, senior
• Harper Hartman, sophomore
• Kiana Sun, sophomore
Thomas More Prep-Marian (TMP)
• Lydia Balthazor, junior
• Carson Kraus, junior
• Charlie Meitner, senior
• Hannah Rose, senior
• Kathryn Herrman, junior
• Josie Brady, sophomore
• Avery Brown, sophomore
• Andrew Meagher, sophomore
• Kendall Seiler, sophomore
Victoria High School
• Zoee Dinges, junior
• Piper Nowlin, senior
• Grace Younger, junior
• Gianna Haselhorst, junior
• Lyla Rodger, junior
• Hadley Lichter, sophomore
Ellis High School
• Jocelyn Eck, senior
• Taylor Kohl, senior
• Rylan Aschenbrenner, junior
• Henry Brull, sophomore
Rooks County Members, Palco High School
• Ayden Cadoret, junior
• Hope Couse, junior
• Brooke Hamel, junior
• Shiloh Kuhn, sophomore
Plainville High School
• Shelby Molina, senior
• Brilynn Trumpp, junior
• Lydia Widner, sophomore
Stockton High School
• Meredith Gasper, junior
• Aidyen Kerr, junior
• Camille Lowry, senior
• Shae Yohon, senior
• Lina Gaffney, sophomore
Trego County Members, Trego Community High School
• Leah Day, junior
• Lucas Dreher, senior
• Camdyn Flavin, senior
• Raegan Kastle, senior
• Mason Yingling, senior
• Acelyn Wynn, sophomore
• Oliver Coleman, sophomore
• Jillian Samson, sophomore
• Kenadie Rothchild, sophomore
Heartland is excited to welcome this new and returning class of YAC members and looks forward to another great year of youth leadership, service, and impact across the region.
Learn more about the Youth Action Council at: https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/impact/heartland-community-foundation-youthaction-counci