Oro Valley’s Youth Advisory Council: Inspiring the Future
By Dave Perry
For the Town of Oro Valley
Oro Valley’s kids are truly something special. They’re articulate, excited about their town’s future, and eager to make a difference. Recently, I sat down with three members of the Oro Valley Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to chat about their involvement and love for the community. Despite the usual reputation of kids being glued to their phones, the only time a cell phone appeared was when Allison Kuester used hers to submit a scholarship application—after politely excusing herself, of course.
Allison, along with Tanish Doshi and Nihar Goulapally, are all students at BASIS Oro Valley. Tanish, serving as the YAC president, and Nihar, a junior and the council’s historian, have nothing but fond memories of growing up in Oro Valley. “It’s a great place to grow up,” Nihar shared. The close-knit community, affectionately called the “Oro Valley bubble,” provides them a sense of belonging.
Breaking Stereotypes
There’s a common stereotype that Oro Valley is just for older folks. However, the 2020 U.S. Census tells a different story. While 16,609 out of 47,070 residents are over 65, there are also 8,820 young people under 19. The community is diverse, with over 37,000 identifying as white, alongside residents like Tanish and Nihar, who are of Indian descent, and Allison with her Vietnamese heritage. Regardless of age or roots, Tanish believes the town’s shared love for nature and community values bind everyone together.
Oro Valley offers plenty of outdoor gatherings, from Fourth of July celebrations to arts festivals. Nature is a big reason people live here, and young folks like Allison want to keep it that way, hoping to introduce more youth to these opportunities.
YAC’s Impact
YAC is a wonderful platform where these teenagers from schools like Ironwood Ridge, Canyon del Oro, BASIS, and Salpointe Catholic come together. Nihar appreciates the connections he’s made with students from other schools, all driven by a passion for civic engagement and community building.
The council effectively uses social media to rally youth for events, including summer “dive-in” movies. “It’s all about community,” Allison emphasized. YAC members also engage in outreach, from helping kids decorate cookies to teaching seniors how to use technology.
Tanish, who moved to Oro Valley from Illinois in 2017, found his place through YAC. The diverse group has taught him about listening and compromise. “Oro Valley is defined by its mix of people and perspectives,” he said.
Civic Involvement
The young leaders of YAC are not just about social gatherings; they’ve gained a deeper understanding of local government. Through YAC, they’ve learned the importance of civic agency and public speaking. Allison and Tanish are especially grateful for the support from local leaders like “Mayor Joe” Winfield.
Favorite Spots and Future Plans
Naranja Park is a favorite “third place” beyond home and school. Target and Stacks Book Club also rank high on their list. The students see new developments as opportunities for growth without losing the small-town feel.
As for their futures, Allison plans to study journalism on the East Coast, Tanish is looking at political science and economics, and Nihar dreams of engineering with a touch of politics. While they have dreams of far-off places, Oro Valley will always hold a special place in their hearts.
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