Courage Museum • Youth Advisory Council

Youth Advisory Council

2026 Cohort

Asa Bauer (He/Him)

Asa joined the Youth Advisory Council to help bridge community divides and build empathy. With a background in healthcare settings and student leadership, he brings a focus on thoughtful dialogue and strong communication to the team. A lifelong learner, Asa isn’t afraid to ask hard questions. Outside of his advocacy work, he enjoys attending Camp Newman, studying new languages, and taking Sudoku much more seriously than necessary.

Rica Mae Gandia (She/Her)

Rica Mae joined the Youth Advisory Council to connect with motivated leaders and raise awareness about the impact of violence. Through her experience in various school clubs and volunteer initiatives, she brings integrity and a collaborative spirit to the team. For Rica Mae, courage means seeking change with confidence. In her free time, she enjoys walking her two dogs, creating art, and watching anime.

Victoria Izabela Monsanto (She/Her)

A proud Filipina immigrant and youth advocate in Hayward, Victoria is passionate about uplifting underserved communities. She joined the Youth Advisory Council to amplify youth voices and use her personal story to inspire others toward social justice. Victoria believes that meaningful change is pursued through open dialogue and collective action. Outside of council work, she actively participates in community discussions, school events, and local volunteer initiatives.

Addy Raroque (She/Her)

Addy is a student at Design Tech High School who joined the Youth Advisory Council to explore perspectives different from her own. Driven by a desire to help others cultivate empathy, she focuses on building bridges between diverse groups of people. Addy believes that understanding someone else’s story is a vital step toward a more courageous community. In her spare time, she enjoys engaging in creative projects and exploring new interests.

Vy Ta (She/Her)

Vy joined the Youth Advisory Council to address the prevalence of violence and discrimination in her community. Drawing from her experience at a project-based learning school, she brings a strong foundation in leadership and a passion for advocacy to the program. Vy is dedicated to learning how to prevent social issues through active engagement. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and creating art.

Ishaan Vasudeva (He/Him)

Ishaan, often called Ishi, joined the Youth Advisory Council to help stop violence and create an engaging museum experience for his peers. Passionate about community change and standing up for what is right, he is eager to share new perspectives while learning the inner workings of a museum. Outside of his activism work, Ishaan enjoys listening to music, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

Lucas Vincent (He/Him)

A designer and builder for his school’s robotics team, Lucas brings a technical and creative mindset to the Youth Advisory Council. He is deeply passionate about mechanical engineering and the culinary sciences, often spending his free time refining pastry recipes to share with others. When he isn’t in the kitchen or the lab, Lucas performs as a violinist with a local orchestra and enjoys exploring the intersection of art and logic.

2025 Cohort

Abel Davis-Hillman (he/him)

Abel joined the Youth Advisory Council because he believes in the museum’s mission to create meaningful change. He brings personal experience and a thoughtful, problem-solving mindset to the group. For Abel, courage means standing up for what is right. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time outdoors playing frisbee, relaxing with video games and TV, and hanging out with his cats.

Diego Diaz Reyes (he/him)

Diego joined the Youth Advisory Council to better understand issues like violence and discrimination while contributing to solutions. Through sports and school activities, he brings teamwork, dedication, and resilience. Diego sees courage as taking action even when you feel afraid. He enjoys playing soccer and going to the gym.

Emi Harris (she/her)

Emi joined the Youth Advisory Council to uplift young voices and advance advocacy against violence, including teen dating violence. A filmmaker and community volunteer, she brings a creative and socially conscious perspective to the museum’s work. Emi defines courage as fighting for what you believe in and persevering through obstacles. Outside of school, she enjoys music, spending time with friends, and sharing meals with her family.

Jerry Kwong (he/him)

Jerry joined the Youth Advisory Council to learn more about violence and social injustice while helping create change. He brings experience from his climate justice work in school and the broader community. Jerry believes courage is having the confidence to act, even when you are afraid. He enjoys skating, spending time with friends, and trying new things.

Ismelda Lopez (she/her)

Ismelda joined the Courage Museum’s Youth Advisory Council to help ensure that people impacted by violence feel heard and empowered. She brings a strong sense of responsibility, attentiveness to diverse perspectives, and leadership experience as a club treasurer. Interested in architecture and community impact, Ismelda believes courage means stepping up and facing challenges head-on. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, playing basketball, and cooking or baking.

Max Nimmo (he/him)

Max joined the Courage Museum to help address racial and gender-based violence. He brings early experience in design and marketing from working on product and advertising projects. Max believes courage is the strength to create change. In his free time, he plays tennis, enjoys video games, and walks his dog, Stormy.

Anabella Ramirez (she/her)

Anabella joined the Courage Museum’s Youth Advisory Council to support survivors of violence and raise awareness among young people. A member of her school’s Dance Company, she brings creativity, collaboration, and a passion for empathy-driven change. She is especially committed to challenging gender-based discrimination. Anabella believes courage means persevering through dark moments and standing up for what is right. She enjoys choreographing, painting, gaming, and advocating for Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities.

Phoebe Siegel (she/her)

Phoebe joined the Youth Advisory Council because she believes in the museum’s mission to end violence and educate young people. With experience in stage managing and directing through her school’s theater tech program, she brings organization and collaborative leadership. Phoebe believes courage means speaking up for what you believe in. She enjoys baking, yoga, and reading.