LCA students work with WYAB on multiple community projects
For the past year, students all across Walton County have been hard at work to help improve the local area in various ways.
All of their efforts are as members of the Walton Youth Advocacy Board (WYAB), which is composed of students from public and private schools.
Loganville Christian Academy is the second-most represented school on this board with seven students: Bradyn Bramlett, Ella Masterson, Helena Meier, Savanna Cowart, TJ Lockett, Rowan Corrente, and Addison Gurcules. Addie Godfrey previously served, which tied LCA with Monroe Area High School for the most students from one school.
Though no longer on the board, Addie highlighted what the experience was like for her and why other students should be eager to volunteer in the future.
“Even before you are on the board, the process to apply and receive an interview is an excellent way to practice soft skills that you can bring into your professional life,” Addie said. “Don’t be afraid to try new things, like applying, because you never know what could happen.”
The WYAB’s mission is to provide a youth leadership model for civic-minded individuals and a voice for Walton County Youth.
“By working together, we are able to make Walton County
a better place for the community.”
LCA’s students have accomplished this mission through different avenues.
They have served on the journalism committee, held planning and administrative roles, and were a part of the student advisory panel. WYAB students also had the opportunity to go across Walton County for public speaking engagements to bring awareness to issues such as bullying, mentoring, and mental health.
Savanna mentioned her favorite aspect of serving in this capacity.
“Getting to have more say as a teenager in Walton County. Youth tends to be underestimated and not very respected, so I get to have a greater influence while fulfilling the potential the Lord has granted me,” Savanna said. “In particular, I’ve gained the most from mentoring middle schoolers and even some highschoolers who come from less fortunate backgrounds. I enjoy getting to use all the blessings God has given me to benefit others.”
A main vehicle used by WYAB is the print newspaper the students publish every other month. This publication covers subjects across the spectrum.
LCA students were a part of this publication and a few of the articles that they contributed were about how homelessness is a growing issue in the area and a piece about LCA’s football team. In January 2025’s edition, Addison covered the Walton County Stocking Fund while Helena wrote an article headlined: “Then and Now: The Holidays, with LCA Head of School, Rachel Ernst.”
Helena admitted she did not entirely foresee what volunteering with WYAB would entail, but she’s glad she is a part of the team.
“I didn’t know what this experience would look like. But now that I’ve learned what it is it has been really pleasant,” Helena said. “We aren’t only there to help the community, but help each other and listen to each other as well.”
Another substantial aspect of WYAB is its mentoring opportunities.
For example, students have gone to Carver Middle School to mentor kids. Particularly, WYAB members have done Georgia Reads to increase literacy in the whole area.
Lending a helping hand in this way is why TJ was interested in working with WYAB in the first place.
“I joined the board so I could help kids and teens thrive. Joining the board was a way that I could help kids and teens feel heard and express their emotions,” TJ said. “Teens who have anxiety or kids who need someone to listen to are the kids I relate to the most. I felt that by joining the board, I could help them be seen.”
An additional notable development by this group of students include the Resilient Alligarden Update on Wayne Street, too.
But these students do not just jump into a project. Tishia McRae, WYAB Director, shared that the students produce a needs assessment, generate fundraising, and then implement programs.
Putting actions to their plans is the most exciting part for Ella.
“Being able to learn through acting instead of learning through learning (we do that the rest of our time),” Ella said. “It's also nice because there is always another opportunity so you can be as involved as you can but because it isn't mandatory it doesn't feel overwhelming like other clubs.”
A plus for these LCA students is that they get to work alongside their peers from other schools in the Walton County area. A total of 31 students make up the WYAB, which is around seven students larger than in years past.
Overall, students have used words like “life-changing,” “eye-opening,” and “enjoyable” in describing this work for the year. But Addison seemed to perfectly sum up the entire goal of the WYAB.
“I not only get to serve my community, but I get to hear from other students and learn from their experiences,” Addison said. “By working together, we are able to make Walton County a better place for the community.”
