The FACES Youth Advisory Council is comprised of FACES students, both current and alumni, who represent each of the programs within our national coalition. The purpose of the Council is to create a platform for young people to express their perspectives and experiences and advocate on behalf of youth. Youth voice is an integral aspect of FACES for the Future Coalition’s work – and hearing from young people helps us to provide relevant, innovative programming that matters to our students.
Introducing our 2022-2023 Youth Advisory Council
Alexandria Zoungrana
Hello, My name is Alexandria and I am a former FACES student. I graduated in the class of 2021 from Manual High school and I am now a student at Metropolitan State University of Denver. My current Major is Biology as I gain all of the prerequisites to get into a Diagnostic Sonography school. My goal is to become a Cardiac Sonographer specializing in Pediatrics. I am super happy to be a part of this council because having a positive impact on the youth has always been a huge goal of mine and being a part of this council will allow me to do so.
Arlet Alvizo
My name is Arlet Alvizo and graduated from FACES for the Future in 2021. I am Mexican and Nicaragüense, born in the Bay Area. I became interested in the health profession at a very young age. I always appreciated the medical professionals who did their best to make me feel comfortable when I was scared and anxious, growing up I knew I wanted to give back and help others. after high school I’ve began to give back to my community. I was offered a position where I learned how to work with children with autism. Although, there were times that were difficult I always concluded my day with my head held up high and a smile on my face. I plan to continue my journey by helping other high school students and share my experience in life as a role model and demonstrate how it was a great benefit!
Jesus Santiesteban
My name is Jesus Santiesteban, I am a senior at South Valley Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am an avid music enjoyer in both English and Spanish as I am bilingual in those two languages. I like trying new things like playing guitar, writing poetry, and learning new things. The FACES for the Future program has helped me learn many new things about medicine and the field in which it resides. I have always been interested in the medical field so this program has really opened my eyes and introduced me to various new opportunities that may interest me. FACES has provided internships within local clinics and hospitals and has also provided opportunities to become certified in different fields within the medical field. Although I have yet to figure out what type of Doctor I want to be the Internships that Faces has provided has given me a more profound value of what it would be like in certain fields due to the shadowing I received at Lovelace Hospital. The FACES youth advisory council is a great way to voice my opinion and I’m proud and happy to be able to make a change concerning my community.
Maria Ruelas Madriz
My name is Maria Ruelas Madriz. I’m a junior at Hiram Johnson High School and former member of the FACES Public Health Youth Corps program. I’m also a student in the Health and Medical Sciences Academy at my high school as to having a passion for science and public health. I love managing my time properly and helping those in the community. I am honored to be part of the Youth Advisory Council.
Muskaan Gupta
Hello! My name is Muskaan Gupta (she/her/hers) and I am a freshman at UC Berkeley intending to pursue a dual degree in Business Administration and Molecular and Cell Biology. I am very passionate about healthcare equality and accessibility and am therefore part of the Partners in Health Engage organization on campus, which is currently trying to gain support for the Paul Farmer Memorial Resolution in Congress. I am also on the Outreach team of the Healthcare Business Association at Berkeley. I hope to explore the healthcare space in college and am currently very interested in biotechnology. In my free time, I love exploring the city and finding new places to eat with my friends (I’m a huge foodie). I also love doing calligraphy and paint-bynumbers. I look forward to being on the 2022-23 FACES YAC and working with a wonderful team this year!
Naliyah Duran
I am Naliyah Duran and I am 16 years old. As you already know, I am currently a Junior at Health Professions High School. After high school, I wish to attend UC Irvine and study psychology to help me further achieve my future career goal of being a child psychologist. I’d also like to become a social worker in the years I am attending school for my doctorate degree with the goal of helping better the system, even if it’s miniscule. Helping children have better childhoods and futures is my greatest passion. It’s part of the reason I even wanted to attend Health Professions, and one of the reasons I applied for FACES. I take such pride in my passion for children and their futures and am actively trying to help in the fight against social justice, whether it be something as simple as signing petitions and resharing posts to something like donating to causes that will help ensure better futures for today’s youth. I’d like to commit my life to the mental growth and health of tomorrow’s generation in hopes that I can be a piece of the change needed to better them from ours.
Nguyen Hoang
Hello everyone! My name is Nguyen Hoang. I am currently a third-year student at San Diego State University as a Interdisciplinary Studies major with emphasis in Biology, Psychology, and Public Health. I also have a minor in Japanese since I would like to expand my experience with medical interpreting as well as intercultural communication. My long-term goals are to obtain a Master of Public Health, build my career within the field of Public Health, and continue to contribute to community advocacy. Regarding community advocacy, I am most interested in health equity, reproductive justice, and menstrual justice. I am beyond grateful and excited for the opportunity to be part of the FACES Youth Advisory Council and join other peers to express our perspectives and advocate on behalf of youth!
Sophia De La Cruz
Hi! My name is Sophia and I’m a senior at Arroyo High School. I enjoy drawing, playing the ukulele, and making jewelry! During my time in FACES, I’ve had the best experience making new connections with my mentors and fellow interns. I also loved learning about public health and all of what it has to offer. I’m looking forward to becoming a member of the Youth Advisory Council this year!
Tania Tsosie
Hello, my relatives and my people. My name is Tania Tsosie . I am of the salt people clan. I am born for the red running into the water people clan. The charcoal streak clan of the near water clan is from my maternal grandpa. The saltwater clan is from my paternal grandpa. I am from Naschitti, New Mexico.
I am currently a senior attending Native American Community Academy. I am engaged with my community, and education is a priority to me. I am capable of taking on challenges and I am dependable. At school I get projects finished, and keep in touch with my culture. When I was younger I wanted my career choice to help people, that is why I am wanting to become a detective and get my bachelors in criminology. I am proud to have earned many accomplishments at such a young age. I am currently a New Mexico Simon Scholar, FACES student, and a part of the FACES Youth Advisory Council. I am also interning at Lovelace Women’s Hospital in the Emergency Department. I have had fun shadowing someone in the medical field. I have met many people who continue to help me understand what I want to study. I have learned to engage with patients, and assist to meet their needs. I am grateful I had the opportunity to join FACES, and I hope that I will be able to join more programs that have been beneficial to me like FACES has in college.
Lina Basnet
Hi my name is Lina! I am a senior who attends Arroyo High School. Some of my interests are art, science and crafting! I’m a somewhat good swimmer and I love spending time with family and friends! I also consider myself a hard worker and someone who’s quite creative with my ideas.
David Vicente
Hello! My name is David Vicente and I am currently a freshman at UC Berkeley! My intended major is Political Science and currently thinking about double majoring in Political Economy as well! Currently one of my favorite classes has been American Politics and I might intend to pursue this interest by taking a few similar classes to this! A bit about myself: I grew up in San Francisco, attended Burton High School, and I am first generation student. I was part of the FACES program at my school during my senior year and I wish I would’ve been a part of it sooner! By the way, my pronouns are he/him!