Congratulations to the 2018-19 YAB members for winning a driving simulator as Grand Prize winners of the U Got Brains Champion Schools program!
The mission of the NBF Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is to empower youth to make a difference by providing a viable, established channel for students to express their ideas and develop recommendations for traffic safety projects. This program is currently offered to only students attending West Orange High School.
Participants in the YAB will evaluate community traffic safety issues, generate ideas for productive change, develop specific traffic safety improvement plans for consideration, and work with the NBF and the West Orange Township and relevant organizations to implement an approved and finalized version of the plans.
- Lobby for passage of Michelle Sous’ Law (Bill # A1128)
- STOP For Nikhil Safety Pledge mural unveiled at WOHS. All sophomores who pass the drivers written test will take the pledge
- Educated 700 Middle school students on pedestrian and bus safety
- Collaborated with West Orange Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board on lighting study on Pleasant Valley Way; analyzed crash WO crash data 2018 vs 2017
We are very proud of our Youth Advisory Board members who come from diverse backgrounds, but with one passion: to make our streets safer for all!
Alexandra Kicior
Alexandra Kicior enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures, swimming and playing flute, especially in Marching Band. She is interested in studying international relations and ultimately make the world a better place to be in.
Andie Schwartz
Andie Schwartz is part of the French Honors Society. In the future, she wants to do something with kids, maybe a teacher or a child psychologist. She is very passionate about women’s rights, traffic safety, and love for children.
Andrew Gart
Andrew Gart enjoys bowling, soccer, lacrosse, and playing piano. He aspires to be a doctor in the future.
Anika Fernandes
Anika Fernandes is an avid learner who seeks to improve her community. In her personal life, she enjoys playing the trumpet, learning the guitar, and watching movies. She hopes to one day become a doctor or a biomedical engineer.
Brett Zeligson
Brett Zeligson strives to spread the message of safe driving around the school through artwork such as murals. In addition to being passionate about art, he is also interested in pursuing the field of civil engineering in the future.
Chloe Mengden
Chloe Mengden is part of the marching band and Ravina Youth Symphony Orchestra, and is very passionate about music. In the future, she aspires to major in cognitive neuroscience and minor in foreign languages.
Darlene Folas
Darlene Folas is a well-rounded student who is an enthusiastic learner and an active volunteer in her community. In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling abroad and meeting new people. Her dream is to study social sciences or public policy and to enter a career in politics or international policy.
Emma Renwick
Emma Renwick is very interested in the humanities and social aspects of life. She loves to write and discuss politics, social issues, and even simply books. In the future, she wants to go into child psychology as well as potentially political science.
Maggie Parker
Maggie Parker enjoys playing video games and playing her trumpet and ukulele. Maggie hopes to study business at Drew University this fall.
Nicole Rojas
Nicole Rojas enjoys listening to music and playing sports. In the future, she aspires to become a chemical engineer.
Riya Goel
Riya Goel is a student advocate and leader in her community. In school, she is the founder of the Women’s Leadership Institute, the new Meatless Mondays Initiative, the co-ed fencing team, and is the president of Fight for Green. Outside of school, she works with national organizations such as Girl Scouts, the United Nations, and 4H to continue impacting her community through her two passions of the environment, and gender equality. Riya aspires to do a combined MD/MPH degree in college.