Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council (2015) Left to right: Larenz Wilbourn (Vice-chair), Issac Suina (Chair), Lakota TwoCrow (Secretary), Cameron Weaver, Randy Herrera, Elijah Weaver and Lonicia O'John.

Issac Alexander Suina (Chairman) 14 years old, 9th grader at Ignacio High School. My hobbies include soccer, listening to music, and talking to people. I find my culture interesting because of the way we do things. What I like most about my culture is the way we speak to each other. I think I can benefit the Youth Council by having my voice be heard and have us stand out more. The council will benefit me by making me a great speaker and also not to be quiet and not heard. I think that the Youth Council will someday help me be on Tribal Council.

Larenz Wilbourn (Vice Chairman) 12 years old, 7th grader at Bayfield Middle School. I love playing sports and participating in traditional activities. Having my culture continue and have other people know about it. I think I can I benefit the Youth Council by having the children’s voice heard. I think it will benefit my future by getting me into college, helping me get a good job, and will get my voice heard.

Lakota Lawrence SpottedEagle TwoCrow Collins (Secretary) 14 years old, 8th grader at Ignacio Middle School. My hobbies that I’m currently involved with are playing the following: Violin, viano, flute, saxophone, and murrumba. I’m also involved with learning and studying the French and Dutch language. What I find most important about my culture is sustaining the language and the Culture itself. How I think I can benefit the Youth Council is by solving problems that may come forth, which stand in our way and to bring the present of leadership to my fellow youth members. I believe this will benefit my future by opening a door that will help guide me in the path of Politics.

Randy R. Herrera 14 years old, 7th grader at Ignacio Middle School. Some of my hobbies that enjoy the most are football, yo-yoing, and longboarding. The most important thing about my culture is sustaining our language. I think I can benefit the Youth Council by providing the voice of my peers and providing an opinion to topics. I think the youth council will benefit by preparing me for meeting and jobs.

Lonicia Surena O’John 13 years old, 7th grader at Ignacio middle school. My hobbies are drawing and playing with my dogs and hanging out with my dad. I think my culture is important because it teaches me a lot about my people. I think I can benefit the Youth Council by being a voice for kids. It will help me speak in front of people.

Cameron Weaver 16 years old, 10th grader at Ignacio High School. Some of my hobbies are drawing, riding a longboard, and listening to music. The most important thing in my culture is learning to speak the language and joining in the cultural events such as powwow’s and Sundance. I believe I can benefit the Youth Council since I know some problems in the lives of the youth. Something’s I know I can benefit from the youth council is public speaking and having my voice heard.

Elijah Weaver 12 years old, 7th grader at Ignacio Middle School. My hobby is sports. I participate in football, basketball, and baseball. What I think is most important about our culture is the youth, and this is why I am on the SCSYAC. I think I can benefit this council by teaching them to respect what others are saying. I think the Youth Council will help me be a better leader, not to just the youth, but also to the adults.

Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Your Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council

Friday - May 1, 2015 by Staff report | The Southern Ute Drum

The Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council were asked the following questions:

What is your name?
How old are you?
What school do you attend and what grade are you in?
What are some of your hobbies?
What do you find most important about your culture?
How do you think you can benefit the Youth Council?
How do you think the Youth Council will benefit your future?

Note: Issac is Chairman, Larenz is Vice-Chairman and Lakota is the Secretary. Everyone else is a Youth Council member.