Fall 2020 Cohort 

This talented group will be serving as Tyler Clementi Foundation Youth Ambassadors from September 2020 – July 2021. Learn more about Ryleigh, Brianna, Giancarlo, Isabella, Danna, Jake, and Alina. 

Ryleigh Bateman

YA - Ryleigh BatemanRyleigh Bateman is a junior at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Indiana. She heard about the Tyler Clementi Foundation and their Youth Ambassador team through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program that she is involved with. Throughout her life, she has always wanted to find a way to better the lives of other people. She has done this by volunteering at free meal sites, joining her school’s Key Club, and with other organizations. For the past two years, she has been a Youth Ambassador for her county’s Council of Youth Development. In this role, Ryleigh has helped organize community events and a week-long Youth Summit that promotes community awareness and youth wellness. When she heard about the Tyler Clementi Foundation, she decided it would be a great way to apply her passions: volunteering and kindness, on a broader level while collaborating with other fantastic people. As a Youth Ambassador, she hopes to implement kindness programs into her school and make people more aware of bullying and mental health issues. After high school, Ryleigh aspires to attend college and eventually earn a Doctorate degree in order to become a college professor. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]

Brianna Moreno

YA - Brianna MorenoBrianna Moreno is a 16-year-old Junior from Riverview Senior High School in Riverview, Florida. Since growing up as an Army brat, she was always the new kid in school every 2-3 years and consequently was subject to bullying. She has always valued how she dresses, talks, and carries herself around others; however, her peers did not always prioritize the same things. In the past, Brianna has been pushed to give in to peer pressure a lot, but she has learned to stay true to herself,  focusing on academics and developing self-confidence. Today, Brianna is an Upstander and does not tolerate bullying of any kind because she knows all too well the effects of bullying, harassment, negativity, and bigotry. Brianna likes to challenge herself academically but is also reliable, determined, and energetic about service and her talents in the band and student leadership. She is an Ambassador in  Girl Scouts of Central Florida serves as a youth representative in her faith community by attending regional conferences. Her upbringing taught her to value love, kindness, and humility, which is what she wishes to instill in her community. Brianna is very excited to be working with other Tyler Clementi Foundation Youth Ambassadors and hopes to continue to be a role model for those around her. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]

Giancarlo Trotti

YA - Giancarlo TrottiGiancarlo Trotti is an eighteen-year-old student presently residing in New York City. Giancarlo is attending American University’s School of Arts and Sciences in Washington, D.C. in January 2021, wherein he will pursue a music degree. Giancarlo is a saxophone player who has frequently used his music to express important issues such as civil rights, anti-bullying, and mental health matters. Over the last six years, Giancarlo has performed in the prestigious New York City All-City Jazz Band, the New York City All-City Marching Band, the Queens Borough Wide Salute to Music Program in addition to six different school bands. He has also written and performed solo pieces for several different fundraiser events. Additionally, Giancarlo has been an active participant in his local community soccer program, the Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association. Over numerous years with this organization, he has held many roles ranging from the Master of Ceremonies at its year-end fundraiser/awards night, event planner and organizer, and office assistant. However, most fulfilling was Giancarlo’s work as a soccer referee wherein he taught teamwork, cooperation, soccer skills, and sportsmanlike conduct to young children. Currently, Giancarlo is an Island Harvest volunteer whereby he assists in food distribution to the elderly, veterans, and children. Giancarlo is honored to be a part of the Tyler Clementi Foundation. Its mission speaks to him as he has personally overcome bullying and often speaks up for individuals who are being bullied, harassed, or humiliated. He believes that if people work together in movements and programs by pooling their strengths and sharing their ideologies, this societal problem, in its most dangerous form, can be eliminated. As a result, Giancarlo is eager to join this Foundation because he aligns with its ideals and desires to make a difference by being an Upstander. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]

Isabella Ellison

YA - Isabella EllisonIsabella Ellison is a 15-year-old high school student in Wilmington, NC, who attends New Hanover High School. Along with the Youth Ambassador program, Bella also works with TopSoccer, which is an organization that provides children with disabilities the ability to become a part of their community through sports. Additionally, she is on the board of her local chapter of the National Charity League, which is a mother-daughter-based program focused on volunteer opportunities within the community. Through all of this work, Isabella strives to help individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and welcome. Isabella is also an avid soccer player, playing for her local club, the Wilmington Hammerheads, on their ‘04 Girls ECNL team. In school, she is a member of the student council, where she and her classmates work to make the school a better place for all students. Bella believes that the best way to combat bullying is to dismantle traditional stereotypes of the aggressor and target, and what that relationship looks like, as well as providing educators and parents with resources on how to stay connected to their students’ needs. As a Youth Ambassador, Bella hopes to create a safer, more inclusive space within her school and to make a difference in her broader community. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]

Danna Mejia 

YA - Danna MejiaDanna Mejia is a hard-working 14-year-old freshman student at New Tech Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina. She has attended various schools and programs and has experienced both sides of bullying. Danna was part of Emily K, a college access non-profit organization in Durham. She also participated in camps such as Drama Camp, Basketball Camp, and Summer Scholars. As a Pioneer Scholar with Emily K, she tutored students from different cultures and backgrounds and was embraced by her students. Danna also participates in the Women and Math (WAM) tutoring program. She hopes to become a member of Scholars to College- an academic college-access program organized by the Emily K Center. Danna was bullied in elementary and entered middle school filled with anger at what others had done to her in the past, as a result, she herself bullied others and pushed everyone away. Her community helped her realize that bullying was wrong and that having a positive mindset was the best thing to do. Danna reminds herself that no matter how hard things are you always have to look at the positive side. Danna is proud that she changed her ways and apologized to everyone she had hurt. As a Youth Ambassador Danna wants to spread awareness about the harmful effects of bullying first at her school and eventually to all Durham Public School students. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]

Jake Summerill Bizzell 

YA - JakeJake Summerill Bizzell is a 15-year old sophomore at Marin Academy in San Rafael, California. Adopted at birth by his two dads, he is passionate about helping children caught in the nation’s foster care system. Starting at age 10, Jake served as the Youth Ambassador for the Heart Gallery of Washington, DC and Baltimore City, MD. The gallery is a traveling exhibit of portraits of foster children seeking permanent homes. Jake lobbied local, state, and federal officials in order to provide greater visibility for the gallery, and he also met with local celebrities to educate them on the issues. Jake joined the Youth Ambassador program to develop a student lead anti-bullying program at his school and then encourage other Bay Area students to start similar programs. When not cheering on the Denver Broncos, Jake enjoys hiking in the Marin Headlands and team sailing on the San Francisco Bay. [su_divider top=”no” text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]

Alina Devian

YA Photo - AlinaAlina Devian is a 15-year-old sophomore at New Milford High School in New Jersey. She is very passionate about inclusion and diversity. She believes in standing up for others and being an ally to those who may not have a voice. Alina considers herself very empathetic and understanding. This is Alina’s first year as a Youth Ambassador and she is eager to learn more about leadership and being an advocate for others. Alina wanted to be a part of the Tyler Clementi Foundation because she has experience with bullying and knows how painful it can be; she would like to decrease the rates of bullying at her school in order to limit the harmful effects of bullying. As a Youth Ambassador, she plans to use her voice to make a positive impact in her community.   [su_divider text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]

 

 

Read more about the incredible impact the Youth Ambassadors made in 2019.

Read more about the incredible impact the Youth Ambassadors made in 2018.

[su_divider text=”Back to Top” style=”dotted” divider_color=”#4a7485″ link_color=”#4a7485″]

Skip to content