How YAHL Shaped My High School Experience by Katherine Jones
Hi, my name is Katherine Jones, and I’m a senior at Westville High School. For the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL), and this year marks my third on the Leadership Team. YAHL has been an experience that has shaped not just my high school years but also the person I am today.
When I first joined YAHL, I joined for the promise of free food and the chance to skip class. But what started as a simple way to get out of class turned into a passion for making a difference. I soon realized that YAHL was more than just an extracurricular activity; it was a movement of young people like me who are determined to create healthier communities across Oklahoma.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a variety of events and opportunities. Some of my favorite experiences have been the Leadership Team Summit and the school trainings we conduct. The Summit is something I look forward to every year—it’s four days of excitement and learning. We gather from all over the state, and it’s amazing how quickly we form bonds with each other. We spend our days developing public speaking skills, learning how to advocate for health in our communities and most importantly, building confidence in ourselves and each other. There’s nothing quite like being in a room full of like-minded people who are all hyping each other up. It’s a feeling that stays with you long after the Summit is over.
The school trainings are another highlight for me. There’s something incredibly powerful about sharing what I’ve gained through YAHL with my peers. When I stand in front of a room full of other high school students, I’m not just talking at them—I’m connecting with them, sharing my story and hopefully inspiring them to take action too. I joined YAHL partly because my parents started smoking at a young age, and now they’re struggling to quit. It’s tough, and I don’t want any of my peers to have to go through that. Knowing that I can make even a small difference in someone’s life is what drives me to keep going.
Beyond the bigger health issues, I’ve also become passionate about smaller improvements that can make a big difference in my school. For example, I’ve been advocating for better food options in our school cafeteria. It’s frustrating to see salad with wilted lettuce and toppings that aren’t even refilled between the junior high and high school lunches. This year, one of my goals is to implement a policy at my school requiring water filters to be changed every six months. Dirty water shouldn’t be something we have to worry about, and I want to make that a reality for my school.
As I head into my senior year, I have been appreciating everything YAHL has done for me a little more recently. I’ve grown so much, not just as a leader, but as a person. The skills I’ve gained are things I’ll carry with me long after I leave high school.
YAHL is such an amazing group to be a part of. If you have a chance to be a part of YAHL I definitely recommend it. If you’re looking for a way to get involved, YAHL is the place to be.
