The Kannapolis Youth Council recently celebrated its graduating seniors and recognized its new 2026-2027 officers and members. 

The Kannapolis Youth Council provides opportunities for students to become engaged in leadership development, encourages volunteerism, practices teamwork, promotes organizational and communication skills, and provides input to the adult leadership in the decision-making process of the City. They participate in a number of community service projects and activities and learn about the services and functions of the City throughout the year.  

Approximately 45 high school students have been selected to serve on the 2026-2027 Youth Council following an application process. They represent A.L. Brown High School, Northwest Cabarrus High School, Lake Norman Charter School, Cannon School, Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College and homeschools. 

Graduating Seniors from the 2025-2026 Youth Council Class include: 

Aiyana Rattliff, Amelia Caskey, Andrare Wallace, Ashley Vega, Brayden Burgess, Ella Ortiz, Emmy Watkins, Gavin Murfitt, LeNay Turnage, Madison Wallace, Shrij Choski and Zander Atwell 

Outgoing Officers for the 2024-2025 Year: 

Emmy Watkins (Co-Chair), Ashley Vega (Co-Chair), Angel Ortiz (Vice Chair), Mia Torres (Secretary), Aymar Alonzo (Community Service), Zander Atwell (Social Events), Teesha Muldiar (Marketing), Paisley Martinez (Historian) and Akshara Gurudu (Historian). 

New Officers for the 2026-2027 Term: 

Ella Love (Co-Chair), Matias Guerra (Co-Chair), Mia Torres (Vice Chair), Anish Subramanian (Secretary), Paisley Martinez (Community Service), Laura Castillo De La Cruz (Social Events), Rishi Baggam (Marketing), Ansika Sirigireddy (Historian), and Ben Vermeire (Historian). 

Returning Members for the 2026-2027 Term:  

Abby Hall, Akshara Gurudu, Angel Ortiz, Anish Subramanian, Ansika Sirigireddy, Ayden Sniffin, Aymar Alonzo, Baylen Hudson, Ben Vermeire, Daniel Reyes Cruz, Ella Love, Harris Watkins, Jamier Kirkley, Kendall Stavenger, Kennedy Alexander, Kyler Dapper, Lara Castillo De La Cruz, Maddox Atwell, Makayla Burris, Malchiah Lewis, Matias Guerra, Mia Torres Conde, Paisley Martinez, Payton Currie, Ryan Fowler, Srivanth Baggam, Taylor Deaton, Teesha Mudliar, and Vishwajeet Mudliar. 

New Members for the 2026-2027 Term:  

Aiden Wallace, Carter Stavenger, Erica Cedillos, Gabrielle Coleman, Justin Torres, Kimberly Rangel, Lohitya Vinnakota, Matthew Goodman, Piper Lawrence, Reva Dabade, Saanvi Renikunta, Sanaiah Wade, Sara Acosta, and Yasmin Berrospe.  

For more information on the Youth Council, contact Annette Privette Keller, Director of Communications, at 704-920-4311 or aprivettekeller@kannapolisnc.gov.