Students serve as &#034;voice&#034; of National Guard youth

March 4, 2020

Memorial students Allisandra (Alli) Barragan and Desiray (Desi) Champagne-Garcia are in their second year of serving as the "voice" of National Guard Youth throughout California as representatives of the CA National Guard Teen Council. Alli and Desi are step-sisters. Their dad/step-dad is National Guard recruiter, Sgt. Nick Barragan, who presented the St. Michael Award at SJM last fall.

As members of the Teen Council, Alli and Desi provide feedback on training and support needs for the 13-18 year-old military youth population, according to Leah Price, Child & Youth Program Coordinator for the CA National Guard. “As Teen Council members, it is their responsibility to increase community outreach efforts by speaking publicly about their experience, creating materials to distribute, providing public service announcements, and planning/hosting the Teen Adventure Camp every summer,” said Price.

Desi serves as the Activities Director in charge of songs, games, icebreakers, and skits at Teen Council events across the state. “In this role, I am expected to be the counselor who shows a lot of spirit, is outgoing and easy to talk to. Being a part of the Teen Council has taught me how to be resilient, independent, and confident,” explained Desi. “As the voice of military kids all over the state, we brainstorm and organize Teen Adventure Camps every summer which teaches kids how to become responsible, respectful, and resilient young adults.”

Alli and Desi participate in quarterly training programs that build self-confidence, increase resilience, and enhance leadership skills. “This training equips the Teen Council Team with the necessary tools to convey a meaningful message to military leadership, applicable community organizations, school districts, military families, and their peers around the state,” Price explained. “With "Purple-Up” on April 17, 2020, we encourage San Joaquin Memorial to utilize Alli and Desi, two outstanding individuals, to prompt an environment of support for all military youth.”