AFA Teens

The AFA Teens Advisory Board offers teenagers an opportunity to build strong leadership skills, offer insight to AFA about the needs of teenagers as they relate to Alzheimer’s disease, help steer the future direction of AFA Teens—and give back even more to the Alzheimer's community.

Participation as an advisory board member may include growing AFA Teens’ presence on social networking sites, writing a guest blog and responding to posts on the AFA Teens Web site, conceiving of and planning AFA Teens events, developing ideas for AFA Teens chapters and recruiting new chapter presidents.

AFA asks for a commitment of two hours per month for written and phone correspondence, including a quarterly phone conference call with other advisory board members, for a term of one year.

AFA is now accepting applications for the 2012 term of the AFA Teens Advisory Board. For an application, please click here. All applications must be received by February 11, 2012. For more information, e-mail info@afateens.org or call 866-232-8484.

Meet the 2011 AFA Teens Advisory Board:

Sasha Engelman- Encino, CA

Sasha is the secretary of the AFA Teens Advisory Board. She is interested in Alzheimer’s disease because her grandfather passed away from the brain disorder in 2007.

A junior in high school, Sasha has been conducting research into Alzheimer’s disease independently for the past three years, and since the beginning of this school year has been involved with Alzheimer’s disease research at the Neuroimaging Laboratory at UCLA’s Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease.

Lexi Gray- San Antonio, TX

Lexi first became aware of Alzheimer’s disease when she was in elementary school and her great grandmother began showing signs of memory loss. After her great grandmother’s death two years ago, Lexi wanted to help others with the disease. In January 2011, she founded a service organization in which girls from the local middle school and high school visit a nearby Alzheimer’s care facility to give manicures and hand massages to female residents.

Lexi hopes to further contribute to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by serving on the AFA Teens Advisory Board.

A high school sophomore, she plays school and club soccer, and runs track. When she has a break from sports, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

Robbie Hynes- Norwell, MA

Robbie has served on the AFA Teens Advisory Board for the past two years.

In the fall of 2008, Robbie got involved with AFA Teens when his older sister, Maggie, formed an AFA Teens chapter that had her siblings’ string quintet as its core component. When Maggie moved on to attend Colgate University the following year, Robbie, who plays the viola, took over her position as musical director of the quintet and leader of the AFA Teens chapter. The siblings have played at assisted living centers for the last six years, ( www.MemoryandMusic.com). Their chapter has also held several candle lighting ceremonies as part of AFA’s National Commemorative Candle Lighting held each November during National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Both Robbie and Maggie have conducted empirical research on the connection between live music and cognition, mostly with people living with Alzheimer’s disease.

According to Robbie, whose grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease three years ago, “Seeing people in assisted living facilities respond favorably to our music provided the inspiration to keep performing and recording the improvements noted by staff in cognitive recognition when live music was played, but after finding out what had happened to my grandfather it became much more personal.”

Robbie, a high school senior, is a peer educator at his school and for the past four years has been a member of the high school hockey team, which reached the state semi-finals his sophomore year. He is a winner of the National Latin Honor Society Medal. He will join Maggie at Colgate University in the fall.

Liz Pires- Basking Ridge, NJ

Liz first became aware of Alzheimer’s disease when she started volunteering at local retirement homes. There, she visits residents and gathers with peers to knit caps for individuals undergoing chemotherapy while enjoying companionship with her peers and the residents.

“This has been a wonderful experience and very enlightening for me. Spending time with the elderly, several of whom have Alzheimer’s, and other disorders, has made me very sensitive about the issue and the pain it can bring,” she said. “I want to educate others, especially young people, and help spread awareness of Alzheimer’s.”

A junior in high school, Liz has already been involved in raising awareness of another chronic illness: diabetes. She started a diabetes awareness group at her school after recognizing that fellow students were unaware of the importance of exercise and nutrition to one’s health. Her efforts include contributing a column to the school newspaper, making presentations to the students and organizing various fundraisers.

Liz participates in her school’s competitive debate team, plays the trumpet in the school and jazz bands, participates in a charity ensemble that she created, teaches private trumpet lesson, and coaches an after-school program at her former elementary school. She is a member of the National Honors Society and her favorite classes are physics and English. She hopes to study engineering in college.

Emmy Prothro- Shreveport, LA

Emmy became interested in the AFA Teens Advisory Board because her grandfather has Alzheimer’s disease and she has witnessed firsthand the changes that this disease can bring to a family. “It is a heartbreaking disease, and I believe that more teens need to learn and be aware of the disease,” said Emmy, a junior in high school.

Currently, at her high school, she is vice president of the Astra Service Club and editor of the Gusher Yearbook, as well as a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council, Student Advisory Committee, Z Club, Mu Alpha Theta and International Thespian Society.

In the community, she is active in the First Methodist Youth Group and Prayer Ministry Team and a member of the Shreveport Green Youth Environmental Council.

Abril Resendiz- Woodlands, TX

Abril, a high school junior, began volunteering her freshman year of high school at an assisted living facility that specializes in caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. From the moment she began volunteering, she said, “There was something magical that I could not put into words about helping these men and women that completely fascinated me. Every time I went there, I would encounter something that would make me want to burst out crying, but that simultaneously was teaching me a valuable lesson.”

She greatly enjoys going to the assisted living facility every week to listen and interact with residents with Alzheimer’s disease. “I get a big emotional rush just by knowing that with this simple visit she is bringing so much joy into their lives,” she said.

Her volunteer experience led her to create an AFA Teens chapter at her high school this past fall. Through chapter activities, she hopes that more teenagers will become involved in this cause.

Chris Schloss- Fort Lauderdale, FL

Chris has served on the AFA Teens Advisory Board for the past two years. He wanted to get involved in the cause after watching the disease’s impact on his grandmother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when he was eight.

In addition to serving on the advisory board, he has tried to help heighten awareness by volunteering at local fundraising events that raise money for Alzheimer’s disease.

Currently a high school sophomore, Chris enjoys all sports and plays baseball for his high school.

Melissa Stepovich- El Cajon, CA

Melissa, currently a high school freshman, has a special place in her heart for her parents and all her relatives—especially her abuelita (grandmother in Spanish). Melissa’s abuelita was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2003 at age 72.

“Before my abuelita had Alzheimer’s disease, she was a teacher, an excellent cook, seamstress, and storyteller. Now, she barely recognizes me, my siblings and my parents,” Melissa said. “ Nevertheless, she is still an amazing and loving woman. Through the years, my love for her has done nothing but increase. Even though she changes from cheerful to angry in less than five minutes, she is and will forever be my abuelita.”

At her high school, Melissa is involved in the student council, cross country, Amnesty International, the speech and debate team, National Honor Society, and the California Junior Scholarship Federation. She spends her free time reading, playing the piano, writing poetry, and volunteering at her church and other schools.




				AFA Teens Advisory Board The AFA Teens Advisory Board offers teenagers an opportunity to build strong leadership skills, offer insight to AFA about the needs of teenagers as they relate to Alzheimer’s disease, help steer the future direction of AFA Teens—and give back even more to the Alzheimer's community. Participation as an advisory board member may include growing AFA Teens’ presence on social networking sites, writing a guest blog and responding to posts on the AFA Teens Web site, conceiving of and planning AFA Teens events, developing ideas for AFA Teens chapters and recruiting new chapter presidents. AFA asks for a commitment of two hours per month for written and phone correspondence, including a quarterly phone conference call with other advisory board members, for a term of one year. AFA is now accepting applications for the 2012 term of the AFA Teens Advisory Board. For an application, please click here. All applications must be received by February 11, 2012. For more information, e-mail info@afateens.org or call 866-232-8484. Meet the 2011 AFA Teens Advisory Board: Sasha Engelman- Encino, CA Sasha is the secretary of the AFA Teens Advisory Board. She is interested in Alzheimer’s disease because her grandfather passed away from the brain disorder in 2007. A junior in high school, Sasha has been conducting research into Alzheimer’s disease independently for the past three years, and since the beginning of this school year has been involved with Alzheimer’s disease research at the Neuroimaging Laboratory at UCLA’s Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease. Lexi Gray- San Antonio, TX Lexi first became aware of Alzheimer’s disease when she was in elementary school and her great grandmother began showing signs of memory loss. After her great grandmother’s death two years ago, Lexi wanted to help others with the disease. In January 2011, she founded a service organization in which girls from the local middle school and high school visit a nearby Alzheimer’s care facility to give manicures and hand massages to female residents. Lexi hopes to further contribute to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by serving on the AFA Teens Advisory Board. A high school sophomore, she plays school and club soccer, and runs track. When she has a break from sports, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, traveling, and hanging out with friends. Robbie Hynes- Norwell, MA Robbie has served on the AFA Teens Advisory Board for the past two years. In the fall of 2008, Robbie got involved with AFA Teens when his older sister, Maggie, formed an AFA Teens chapter that had her siblings’ string quintet as its core component. When Maggie moved on to attend Colgate University the following year, Robbie, who plays the viola, took over her position as musical director of the quintet and leader of the AFA Teens chapter. The siblings have played at assisted living centers for the last six years, ( www.MemoryandMusic.com). Their chapter has also held several candle lighting ceremonies as part of AFA’s National Commemorative Candle Lighting held each November during National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Both Robbie and Maggie have conducted empirical research on the connection between live music and cognition, mostly with people living with Alzheimer’s disease. According to Robbie, whose grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease three years ago, “Seeing people in assisted living facilities respond favorably to our music provided the inspiration to keep performing and recording the improvements noted by staff in cognitive recognition when live music was played, but after finding out what had happened to my grandfather it became much more personal.” Robbie, a high school senior, is a peer educator at his school and for the past four years has been a member of the high school hockey team, which reached the state semi-finals his sophomore year. He is a winner of the National Latin Honor Society Medal. He will join Maggie at Colgate University in the fall. Liz Pires- Basking Ridge, NJ Liz first became aware of Alzheimer’s disease when she started volunteering at local retirement homes. There, she visits residents and gathers with peers to knit caps for individuals undergoing chemotherapy while enjoying companionship with her peers and the residents. “This has been a wonderful experience and very enlightening for me. Spending time with the elderly, several of whom have Alzheimer’s, and other disorders, has made me very sensitive about the issue and the pain it can bring,” she said. “I want to educate others, especially young people, and help spread awareness of Alzheimer’s.” A junior in high school, Liz has already been involved in raising awareness of another chronic illness: diabetes. She started a diabetes awareness group at her school after recognizing that fellow students were unaware of the importance of exercise and nutrition to one’s health. Her efforts include contributing a column to the school newspaper, making presentations to the students and organizing various fundraisers. Liz participates in her school’s competitive debate team, plays the trumpet in the school and jazz bands, participates in a charity ensemble that she created, teaches private trumpet lesson, and coaches an after-school program at her former elementary school. She is a member of the National Honors Society and her favorite classes are physics and English. She hopes to study engineering in college. Emmy Prothro- Shreveport, LA Emmy became interested in the AFA Teens Advisory Board because her grandfather has Alzheimer’s disease and she has witnessed firsthand the changes that this disease can bring to a family. “It is a heartbreaking disease, and I believe that more teens need to learn and be aware of the disease,” said Emmy, a junior in high school. Currently, at her high school, she is vice president of the Astra Service Club and editor of the Gusher Yearbook, as well as a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council, Student Advisory Committee, Z Club, Mu Alpha Theta and International Thespian Society. In the community, she is active in the First Methodist Youth Group and Prayer Ministry Team and a member of the Shreveport Green Youth Environmental Council. Abril Resendiz- Woodlands, TX Abril, a high school junior, began volunteering her freshman year of high school at an assisted living facility that specializes in caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. From the moment she began volunteering, she said, “There was something magical that I could not put into words about helping these men and women that completely fascinated me. Every time I went there, I would encounter something that would make me want to burst out crying, but that simultaneously was teaching me a valuable lesson.” She greatly enjoys going to the assisted living facility every week to listen and interact with residents with Alzheimer’s disease. “I get a big emotional rush just by knowing that with this simple visit she is bringing so much joy into their lives,” she said. Her volunteer experience led her to create an AFA Teens chapter at her high school this past fall. Through chapter activities, she hopes that more teenagers will become involved in this cause. Chris Schloss- Fort Lauderdale, FL Chris has served on the AFA Teens Advisory Board for the past two years. He wanted to get involved in the cause after watching the disease’s impact on his grandmother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when he was eight. In addition to serving on the advisory board, he has tried to help heighten awareness by volunteering at local fundraising events that raise money for Alzheimer’s disease. Currently a high school sophomore, Chris enjoys all sports and plays baseball for his high school. Melissa Stepovich- El Cajon, CA Melissa, currently a high school freshman, has a special place in her heart for her parents and all her relatives—especially her abuelita (grandmother in Spanish). Melissa’s abuelita was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2003 at age 72. “Before my abuelita had Alzheimer’s disease, she was a teacher, an excellent cook, seamstress, and storyteller. Now, she barely recognizes me, my siblings and my parents,” Melissa said. “ Nevertheless, she is still an amazing and loving woman. Through the years, my love for her has done nothing but increase. Even though she changes from cheerful to angry in less than five minutes, she is and will forever be my abuelita.” At her high school, Melissa is involved in the student council, cross country, Amnesty International, the speech and debate team, National Honor Society, and the California Junior Scholarship Federation. She spends her free time reading, playing the piano, writing poetry, and volunteering at her church and other schools.
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