Young Adult Leadership Council: 2025-2026 Cohort

Alana Marquez is a 21-year-old from California, currently residing in the Greater
Houston area. She is pursuing a career in education and administration. Alana serves on the YALC Board for the 2025–2026 year. Alana is also employed at the YMCA as an Afterschool Site Lead. With lived expertise in housing instability, the DFPS system, mental health care, and the juvenile justice system, Alana brings a unique perspective and resilience to her work. Although she faced significant challenges growing up, she remains determined to give back to future generations by advocating for and leading youth who are still discovering their voice. Alana aspires to one day serve on a school board, where she can continue shaping opportunities for the youth.

At 24, Alexa brings together youth leadership and cognitive psychology to help young adults in El Paso gain confidence, purpose, and new opportunities. She is dedicated to helping other young adults build confidence and direction through peer support and systems-change. With experience leading youth organizations and designing community spaces, Alexa leverages her expertise to create tech-driven and human-centered approaches to supporting young adults finding their next steps for the future. She is driven by the idea that when young people win, we all win.

Lexi Zamaro is 21 years old from Amarillo, TX. She is currently working on her degree to become an art teacher, choosing to study at West Texas A&M. Lexi is a long-standing member of the Girls Scouts program, having joined in 2010 and continuing on to 2025. While in the program, she achieved her bronze award by servicing community parks, as well as her silver award in helping in an animal shelter by providing quality care for the animals. Lexi has achieved a total of 4 years of community service experience through her high school’s Key Club from 2018 to 2025. Lexi has gone through the foster care system and hopes to make an impact. She hopes to be able to help kids who are going through similar situations as she did growing up, and aims to aid them to achieve success in their adult life.

Breyton Crittendon is a 20-year-old from Dallas, Texas, currently living in Rockdale, Texas. Prior to joining Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS), he entered foster care at the age of 13 and aged out at 18 after the birth of his daughter. He experienced homelessness but got back on his feet by never giving up and with the support of nonprofit organizations and mentors. Breyton is now pursuing a career in healthcare while also giving back to youth who have had experiences similar to his own.

Bri is a 23-year-old currently living in Austin, TX. Before joining the YALC, she earned exceptional leadership skills from working as an Impact Specialist with a Youth Lead program at LifeWorks called Impactful Voices. Bri is no stranger to how harsh the world can be but with her unfortunate experiences she’s been able to help others who have also experienced hardships.  Bri has shared her story with many across the state, from legislators at the Texas Capitol to leaders at nonprofit organizations as well as the general community. She believes that everyone needs people in their life that fight for them and guide them through life and she tries extremely hard to be that person for anyone she comes into contact with. Outside of advocacy, Bri enjoys cooking and watching other people cook. Bri is excited to see the new skills she’ll gain by working with the YALC and all the new people she’ll meet. 

Desiree (Des) Stemley is a 20 year old from Florida, currently residing in San Antonio, Texas. She is a member of the Young Adult Leadership Council with lived expertise in the housing insecurity system. She strives to become an advocate and a source of inspiration for youth facing similar challenges and other related systems. Despite the hardships she has overcome, Des plans to pursue a career in nursing to continue her passion for leadership and advocacy. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, arts and crafts, nature, and learning about science.

Desiree Holiday is a 22-year-old from Killeen, Texas, currently living in the Dallas area. She is a college student and a former foster care youth who has experienced and overcome many hardships. These challenges have shaped her knowledge and passion for working with children and youth. Desiree has experience working with Boys & Girls Clubs, daycares, and volunteering at her local community center. She is passionate about being a voice for those who may be afraid to use their own, remembering that she once felt the same way. Helping and inspiring young people is her purpose now and in the future, and she is excited to see where the road ahead takes her.

Drew was born in Budapest, Hungary, and adopted at a young age before moving to Amarillo, Texas. Adjusting to a new family and life came with challenges, especially as he learned that trauma doesn’t disappear with a change in location. Over time, Drew struggled with trust and self-expression, unsure how to share his past. His journey shifted when he attended Boys Ranch in Texas, where he found encouragement to speak openly and embrace vulnerability as strength. Now 18, Drew believes in the power of using his voice, honoring his experiences, and continuing to grow beyond his past as he moves toward the future.

Jazlyn (Jazz) Lee, 22 years old from Amarillo, TX, is a proud TNOYS YALC member. In addition to joining TNOYS, she is the junior board member and prior successful graduate of Fostering Independence, a Supervised Independent Living program (SIL). She is now a part of that SIL program in Amarillo, which helps transition age foster youth from the ages of 18 to 24 to navigate and transition into successful independent adults. Jazz wants to use her voice to educate both the public and youth about these supervised independent living programs available. This is Jazz’s biggest passion and she wants to continue in this line of work career wise in her future.

Elleana Wade is a 19-year-old from DeSoto, Texas, with lived experience in both foster care and homelessness. She is dedicated to becoming the advocate she needed during her youth. Each day, she strives to grow into a better version of herself while uplifting others along the way. She hopes to attend college within the next year, as her health allows. Elleana is proud to be part of YALC and to use her background to help further the next generation.

Lukas Anderwald is an 18 year old from San Antonio, Texas, who works with the Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS). Before joining TNOYS Lukas served as president of the Youth Leadership Council for Bexar County. Lukas has experience in the foster care system as well as experience with juvenile justice and youth homelessness. Lukas is currently pursuing his Associates degree in mechanical engineering at Austin Community College with hopes to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue his Bachelors degree. After college Lukas hopes to use his degree in the Navy as a naval aircraft mechanic.

Lynette is a 21-year-old from Marshall, Texas, currently residing in Hallsville. She is working and actively involved in multiple mentoring and support groups in her community. With lived experience navigating systems such as juvenile justice, shelters, foster care, homelessness, and victim services, Lynette is passionate about supporting and inspiring other young people. By reclaiming and sharing her own voice, she hopes to be a source of strength for those who are not yet able to speak for themselves and aspires to become a mentor to others.

Pandorah Ellis is a 26-year-old entrepreneur with big goals in advocacy and youth support. Having experienced system failures herself, Pandorah has been involved with several organizations that provide resources and support to young people. Pandorah resides in Houston, Texas, where she plans to expand her impact within the community.

“We (the youth) are the future.”

Persia Cubit is an 18-year-old from Robstown, Texas, currently living in Corpus Christi. Prior to joining Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS), she experienced couch surfing, involvement with negative influences, and time within the foster care system. Persia faced obstacles beginning as early as age 9 and continuing through age 14. Determined to break generational cycles, she turned her life around, graduated early, and is now focused on building her future. Persia plans to pursue a business degree, become a lawyer, and invest in real estate on the side.

TreAnthony Howard is a 22-year-old youth born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He is currently attending an adult high school to earn his diploma while saving to attend trade school. Prior to joining TNOYS, he had lived experience with homelessness, which has shaped his desire to build a stable, successful future and help prevent others from facing similar challenges. TreAnthony is currently working toward a career as a mechanic, with a long-term goal of paying for college to become a zoologist and pursue his lifelong fascination with animals and learning.