2021-2022 Hope Squad National Council
Ruth Stanton McAtee
Advisor
I am the Advisor of Hope Squad National Council — a group of trained Hope Squad members who are passionate about connecting all Hope Squad members. I have been an educator for 38 years and worked with Hope Squad for nine years. Working with these amazing students on the Council is a tremendous honor and opportunity.
Kylee Tidwell
Assistant Advisor
I am the Assistant Advisor to the Hope Squad National Council. I have been blessed to serve on Hope Squad for the past three years. I am from Syracuse, Utah and I attend Utah State University majoring in Communications. My hope is that every person I come into contact with knows how much they are loved and valued, and I know that Hope Squad empowers me to make that happen.
Boden Dwyer
President
Hi, I’m Boden Dwyer and I’m a senior at Beehive Academy in Sandy, Utah. This year I am proud to be the President of the Hope Squad National Council. I enjoy being outdoors and exploring nature. Also, I like to help others and spread positivity and kindness throughout my community. My goal for this year is to spread hope and to get more students to integrate Hope Squad into their school.
Alex Foret
Hi! I am Alex Foret and I attend Lutcher High School in Louisiana. I am so excited to be a part of this year’s Hope Squad National Council. I believe that Hope Squad is very important and that we need a Hope Squad in every school in the United States. I hope that this year I can be a part of expanding Hope Squad and making sure that no one is left unheard!
Ashlyn Michelle St. Pierre
Being a part of the Hope Squad has allowed me the opportunity to help others in a way that I never thought possible. I feel truly blessed to serve on Hope Squad National Council. My hope this year is that each person knows how loved and truly special they are. No matter how dark it may seem or how lost you feel, you are not alone; Hope Squad is here for you!
Brynlee Morgan
I am so excited to be a part of the Hope Squad National Council. This year I will aim to provide aid and assistance to new Hope Squad members. I would like to be able to normalize the idea of simply talking about suicide, to open more people’s eyes to the impact this word has on each and every human beings lives. Most importantly, I help this Council to give hope and encourage others to spread hope!
Gabe Wood
I have had the privilege of serving on Hope Squad since I was in the 6th grade. I love to play basketball, tennis, and the piano. Many people I love struggle with severe mental health issues, so the values and skills Hope Squad teaches are personal to me. My hope is to normalize talking about depression, anxiety, and suicide so that people don’t feel isolated and alone. I want everyone to know they are valued and there is always hope and help.
Jahnavi Hansaria
My name is Jahnavi Hansaria. (she/her) I am a student at Brookfield Central High School in Wisconsin. In my free time, I love to learn about astrophysics and psychology. I also enjoy painting, playing the violin/piano, and spending time outdoors. I am incredibly honored and grateful to be a member of Hope Squad National Council! I hope to spread the valuable message of Hope Squad. I believe that together, we can make sure every individual feel valued and deserving of love.
Jessica Bui
Hey friend! I’m Jessica Bui and a proud Grizzly at Spring Valley High School, in Las Vegas, Nevada. I like Melona Bars and playing sudoku. My goal for Hope Squad is for all students to feel welcomed and seen. We also need to make sure people are validated and not just heard. Thanks for reading!
Kailya Emfield
I am Kailya Emfield, and I'm a senior from Utah Military Academy - Camp Williams in Utah. I have been on Hope Squad since 8th grade and have served as Hope Squad President for three years. I love my school and community, and I feel so lucky to be able to learn more and serve others more through Hope Squad.
Laila Nahas
Hi! My name is Laila Nahas, and I am absolutely thrilled to be a member of Hope Squad National Council. I attend Woodbridge High School, in California. I’ve played competitive soccer ever since I was little, and enjoy singing in my school’s performing choir. I love contributing to reducing the stigma against mental health in all communities, including minority communities across our country, schools, and my own community.
Lauren Dziedzic
My name is Lauren Dziedzic and I am a Senior at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois. Alongside my dedication to serving as Outreach Chair on Loyola’s Hope Squad, I have a deep passion for tennis, playing both with school and USTA. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to bring my knowledge and desire to make a difference on the national level. I want to raise awareness for teenager’s mental health specifically in the areas of: self-worth and social media. Let’s go spread some hope!
Liam Zidar
Hello! My name is Liam Zidar, and I am a senior at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois. I play baseball and love to watch Netflix and hang out with friends. I’m so excited to be on Hope Squad National Council this year. My goal is to work on expanding the program to other schools in the Midwest. I want to spread positivity, and help every student feel valued through love and care.
Memphis Owen
My name is Memphis Owen. I go to Bonneville High School in Idaho. I love Hope Squad with all my heart and love the difference that I see the program making in my school and my life. My hope is that kids everywhere can be shown that they are cared for, and that if they are having a bad day, it is OKAY to let somebody know. I also hope to break the stigma and stereotypes around talking about suicide. We need to break the silence!
Morgan Fritschle
My name is Morgan Fritschle. I attend NUAMES in Ogden, Utah. I am very passionate about helping people and improving my community. A few of my goals include destigmatizing mental illness and therapy. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak! I also want to bring awareness to mental health as it pertains to LGTBQ+ youth across the nation and help them know that they are not alone.
Noah George
Hi! My name is Noah Canon George, I go to Minico High School in Idaho. I am extremely excited to serve on Hope Squad National Council! If there is one thing I know, hope is real and progress is possible. Serving others has changed my whole life. I love to share the message of hope and progress.
Olivia Marshall
Hello! My name is Olivia Marshall and I attend Lakota East High School in Liberty Township, Ohio. I am SO excited to be serving on Hope Squad National Council this year and to make a difference. I hope to help make the classroom more inclusive as a whole, and to show everyone that their story deserves to be heard, no matter their differences. I cannot wait to see what the 2021-2022 school year brings and to start much-needed conversations!
Samantha Vaca-St. Clair
My name is Sami Vaca-St Clair, I love music and connecting with nature! I currently attend NUAMES High School in Layton, Utah, I have been on Hope Squad for five years. My time on Hope Squad has allowed me to expand my perspective on life and grow into a more compassionate and open-minded person. I am passionate about helping people. While serving on Hope Squad National Council I hope to help change people’s lives for the better through support and connection.
Sanjana Ramakrishnan
My name is Sanjana Ramekrishnan, and I attend Northwood High School in Irvine, California. Being on Hope Squad has given me opportunities that I never could have even imagined. The goal and message of Hope Squad is something that should be heard by everyone. I am so excited and grateful to serve on this year’s Hope Squad National Council. I look forward to all we will accomplish together.
Susan Shields
Hi! My name is Susan Shields and this will be my second year on Hope Squad National Council! I am from Oklahoma, I love listening to music and playing tennis, and I love learning about mental health and helping others! Being a part of Hope Squad is an honor and I love every second of it. I am so excited for this coming year and to be a part of the National Council!
Videos from the Council
Message of Hope • 2021
Ruth encourages you to look at what the world has gone through this past year, what you have gone through, and realize the power of saying, “I Am Still Here.”
Inclusion
Kylee talks about the difference between diversity and inclusion and how we need to connect with others to bridge that difference and help all to feel safe.
Mental Health in Nature
Boden shares one of his favorite hikes and how nature aids in good mental health.
Passions and Mental Health
Jessica talks about the relationship between passions and mental health, and shares some of her passions.
The Power of Social Media
Lauren talks about the positive effects of social as well as its dangers, and shares some of her other offline passions.
We Care About You!
Kailya shares her positive attitude about the world with you, reminding you that we care about you even if we haven’t met you yet.
Routine, Reset, Restart.
Morgan talks about how a routine helps with mental health, as well as resetting and restarting when you need to.
I Can Progress!
Noah shares a message of hope for the future, reminding you that you can change and progress.
Failure is Beautiful!
Jahnavi shares what she has learned about failure and how it is actually a good thing.
The Arts and Mental Health
Olivia, a dancer/ performer, shares her love of performing arts and how the theatre community helps her.
Self-Care Through Creativity
Brynlee shares how she deals with stress through her creativity, journaling and reading.
Positive Energy & Self-Care
Laila shares her art and positive energy, illustrating how important it is for you to take care of YOU.
Connection & Kindness
Memphis discusses the importance of connection, being kind to those around you and being seen.
Sports and Mental Health
Sanjana shares her passion for sports and how they help her with her mental health.
Reaching Out
Susan talks about what she has learned in Hope Squad about being inclusive and reaching out to others.
You're Worth It!
Ashlyn talks about losing one of her dear friends to suicide and why helping others is her passion.
Physical Fitness & Mental Health
Gabe shares his passion for sports and fitness and how important it is to find something you love.
Inclusion & Positivity
Liam shares his passion for making sure all are included and maintaining a positive attitude even in difficult times.
Thank you!
2021-2022 Hope Squad National Council
You changed the world and will continue to do so.
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all…
~Emily Dickinson
- Over 50 national events
- Multiple Zoom meetings
- In-person conferences
- Plan and facilitate state and national leadership conferences
- Meet with government leaders
- Connect and support Hope Squads across the country
- Speaking on local, national, and international panels
- Personal welcomes to new Squads
- Facilitate Hope Squad Trainings for Advisors and Members
- Social media communications
- Fundraising
