Students Advocating For Students.

LaunchNW’s Youth Council is a diverse and empowered group of Spokane County high school students who identify and propose their own solutions to issues affecting the community. These young leaders shine a light on the challenges important to youth in our community and work together to create — and fund — meaningful solutions.

Meet the 2026 Youth Council

COUNCIL OFFICERS

Jenny Tran

Rogers High School

COUNCIL CHAIR

Crosby Harris

Mt. Spokane High School

COUNCIL VICE CHAIR

Isla Hansen

Spokane International Academy

COUNCIL SECRETARY

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Ella Almon

Spokane Classical Christian School

Paige Auton

Mead High School

Abe Besser

Mt. Spokane High School

Greta Brown

Spokane International Academy

Lucie Isadora Dhaliwal-Grizzell

Spokane International Academy

Else Hjorten

University High School

Kai Kuehl

Rogers High School

Gabriel Linares

Spokane International Academy

Scarlett Marion

Mead High School

Jenny Ngo

Rogers High School

Natalie Nhi Ha

Rogers High School

Elliot O’Halloran

Shadle Park High School

Georgia Schwalbe

Mead High School

Annabelle Toun

Lakeside High School

Olivia Ann Zeller

Lakeside High School

Interested in getting involved?

Youth Council applications are currently closed. Stay tuned for next year’s application!

Explore the 2026 Community Projects

Council members identify and research challenges that impact or are important to Spokane County youth and then create and implement solutions. Click a project below to learn more.

Project Shine | Nikita Habimana (Project Lead), Hailey Huff, Masame Osborn, McKenzie Duncan

Latino Fire Safety Program | Amelia Carroll (Project Lead), Remmy Irvine

In partnership with Latinos En Spokane, the Latino Fire Safety Program (LFSP) is designed to educate immigrants from Latin American countries on critical safety topics such as fire safety, car safety, and other safeties.

With a $6,000 budget, the program utilizes workshops, interactive activities, and live demonstrations to encourage a fun and hands-on learning environment for all ages. Many immigrants may come from countries where fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and car seats are uncommon or unavailable; therefore, the goal of LFSP is to educate on the usage and importance of these safety devices. In addition to safety education, we hope to build community and overall awareness regarding safety. Partnering with the organization Latinos En Spokane we are able to reach and serve much of the Latino community of Spokane.

Empowering Independence | Elora Smith (Project Lead), Sindhu Surapeneni, Kayla Tuttle, Adrina Keplinger

Helping the Crisis of Youth Homelessness | Rylee Jun (Project Lead), Christopher Heath, Cheyenne Irvine, Erin Frias

Project Rise | Kaylee Lemas-Santos (Project Lead), Marie-Therese Bengehya

Intercultural Exchange Program

We will pair a cohort of 10 immigrant and non-immigrant high school students, cultivating belonging and empathy towards Spokane’s immigrant community
Ella Almon

Spokane Classical Christian School

PROJECT LEAD

Lucie Isadora Dhaliwal-Grizzell

Spokane International Academy

PROJECT LEAD

Kai Kuehl

Rogers High School

WORKGROUP MEMBER

Scarlett Marion

Mead High School

WORKGROUP MEMBER

BridgED

We will offer a weekly, multi-subject, summer/after-school tutor program to a range students hosted by the YMCA and supported by volunteer high school tutors.

Abe Besser

Mt. Spokane High School

PROJECT LEAD

Olivia Ann Zeller

Lakeside High School

WORKGROUP MEMBER

The Up-Link: We Thrive Together

We’ll pair Willard Elementary students with high school mentors to distribute personal hygiene kits and foster dignity and respect via hygiene literacy.
Paige Auton

Mead High School

PROJECT LEAD

Elliot O’Halloran

Shadle Park High School

WORKGROUP MEMBER

Jenny Ngo

Rogers High School

WORKGROUP MEMBER

Fitness Finder

We’ll offer three summer sports activities for elementary students in May, June, and July in partnership with the Spokane Valley YMCA, and collect sports equipment donations in the Fall.
 
Else Hjorten

University High School

PROJECT LEAD

Natalie Nhi Ha

Rogers High School

WORKGROUP MEMBER

Supporting Creativity and Empowerment Within Youth

 

We’ll offer summer activities and meals to Rogers district youth in partnership with IfYouCouldJustSaveOne.
 
Greta Brown

Spokane International Academy

PROJECT LEAD

Gabriel Linares

Spokane International Academy

PROJECT LEAD

Georgia Schwalbe

Mead High School

WORKGROUP MEMBER

Annabelle Toun

Lakeside High School

WORKGROUP MEMBER

Middle School Leadership Club

Officer project to elevate youth voice: we will form a youth council of middle school students and provide funding for the mini projects they create.

Jenny Tran

Rogers High School

PROJECT LEAD

Crosby Harris

Mt. Spokane High School

PROJECT LEAD

Isla Hansen

Spokane International Academy

PROJECT LEAD