LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. –  The Los Alamitos Youth Center has been active in the community for 49 years. In 2023, recently graduated alumni Ally Hatakeyama introduced the idea of a leadership council run by students through the Youth Center. With the departure of Hatakeyama, the council required new guidance.

Next in line for the position are two juniors from Los Alamitos High School,  Allison Han and Mylan Mauge. Han and Mauge previously served as vice presidents of Creative Engagement, which involved creating social media posts and promoting the growing council. Now that the two have been promoted, they are taking on a new workload, providing the children of Los Alamitos with the best leadership possible. 

Allison Han

Han is a junior at Los Alamitos High School, and she joined the council in 2022 at the beginning of her 8th-grade year. As a kid who grew up being a part of the Youth Center’s various programs, Han’s favorite part of working at the Youth Center is interacting with the kids.

“It is incredibly fun reflecting on my experiences as a Youth Center kid as I am hosting an event for the kids, and I hope to bring the same positive experience that I had to future generations,” Han said. 

Han loves to spend time in cafes with friends. The relationships with the people around her are vital for her; she spends time maintaining those relationships.

“Building upon my connections is incredibly important to me, and I spend a lot of time talking to the people who care for me the most,” Han said. 

Han’s experiences growing up in the community are her inspiration for the work she does for the Youth Center. She would like to provide the same encouragement she received from her mentors. She values the community she has built during her time working with the Youth Center. 

Mylan Mauge

Mauge is a Junior at LAHS who joined the Los Alamitos community in 2017 and has been a part of the Council since the start. Her desire to get involved with the community drove her to the Youth Center.

“I wasn’t really involved in a lot of community things, and I thought that this council would be a good way to get involved,” Mauge said. 

Her favorite part of working at the youth center was volunteering with the kids, spending time with other volunteers and playing with the kids. Mylan loves providing a safe space for the children of the community, allowing a place for kids to express themselves. She is a part of various clubs, including Lamscop, Stem Mentors and Science Olympiad. She stays active playing tennis outside of school. She enjoys music, reading and art.

“I love to paint. I love art. I love all kinds of art in all mediums, drawing, painting, ceramics and writing,” Mauge said. 

Mauge’s time is spent working with the Youth Center or at her after-school job. The rest of the time is prioritized for connecting with family and friends. 

Their Plans for the Future

Han and Mauge have big plans for the future of the Leadership Council. They want to keep the core values set up by their predecessor, Hatakeyama, but they’re working towards maintaining the longevity of the council.

 “I don’t want this thing to die with me and Allison,” Mauge said. 

In order to do this, their goal is to make time for manageable leadership opportunities, contribute to the community in a long-lasting way, and something that will make a mark on Los Alamitos’ youth. 

“I want to cultivate an atmosphere of reflective leadership within the council, not only aiming to foster meaningful programs and expand the council’s impact, but to bring an atmosphere that promotes individual advocacy,” Han said. 

Han and Mauge plan on leaving their mark on the community through their Leadership by building up the children of Los Alamitos.