When students walk through the halls of Cairo Elementary School, they may not realize that some of their classmates are already helping shape the future of their school and community. As members of the Youth Advisory Council, a select group of fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students has taken on a role that extends beyond their classrooms. They are learning not only about important issues, but also about leadership, service, and what it means to make a difference.

The Youth Advisory Council includes students Kayden Nelson, Tori Nelson, Keori Dossie, Courage Davis, Gerald Watkins, Kylin Ramsey, Keree White, De’Aria Jones, and Myah Farley, along with several others who serve as part of the twelve-member council. These students were chosen carefully, selected by school leadership based on their behavior, engagement, and willingness to contribute positively to their school and community.

Guiding them is TJay Purchase, Outreach Specialist for Arrowleaf, a nonprofit human services organization serving southern Illinois. Purchase works through Arrowleaf’s STOP program, which focuses on preventing school and community violence by providing education and leadership opportunities to young people. The Youth Advisory Council grew out of an earlier program he supervised and continued because of its impact on students.

“The school requested that we keep the Youth Advisory Council,” Purchase explained. “That was a component that I enjoyed, and it was very beneficial to the growth of our youth within our community.”

One of their recent projects focused on Heart Awareness Month. Students researched facts about heart health and created posters to share their knowledge with others. “We made posters about Heart Awareness Month,” Kylin Ramsey said. The posters were displayed in the school, allowing their message to reach fellow students and staff.

Other projects have focused on equally meaningful topics. Gerald Watkins recalled their efforts during Child Abuse Prevention Month, when the group helped raise awareness throughout the community.

The council has also organized a schoolwide food drive, helping support families in need. Through that effort, students collected food that was donated to Arrowleaf’s food pantry, directly benefiting members of their own community. Projects like these help students see that their actions have a real-world impact.

The group also raises awareness about breast cancer, mental health, and other important health topics. These discussions often connect directly to students’ personal experiences. One student shared how meaningful it was to learn about health awareness topics that affected her personally. “I like that we talk about the awareness months,” she said. “Like, I have sickle cell, and we talk about sickle cell awareness month and people who have cancer or breast cancer and heart diseases.”

For many students, the council provides a space where learning feels different—more personal and more connected to their lives. Courage Davis appreciates the creative side of their work. “I like the crafts we do,” she said, referring to the posters and projects they create.

Others value the opportunity to help others. Tori Nelson said, “I like that we talk about how to stay safe,” reflecting the group’s focus on prevention and education.

For Keree White, the experience is about more than just the activities. “I like that we get food,” she said with a smile, a reminder that the group also provides a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel comfortable and valued.

Beyond the individual projects, the Youth Advisory Council teaches students something deeper—the power of their own voices. By researching topics, sharing information, and helping lead schoolwide efforts, they are learning that they can influence the world around them.

Purchase sees that growth firsthand. He helps guide the students, but he also allows them to take ownership of their work. They research facts, create presentations, and help decide how to share their message. Through that process, they develop confidence, responsibility, and leadership skills that will stay with them long after elementary school.

For students like Daria Jones and Myah Farley, the council offers a chance to be part of something meaningful while building friendships and learning new skills. It is a place where their ideas matter, and their efforts are valued.

What makes the Youth Advisory Council especially important is that it empowers students at an early age. These young leaders are not waiting until high school or adulthood to make a difference. They are already stepping forward, learning about their community, and helping improve it.