A member of the Region 5 YPC from Illinois, Julia has prioritized building equity into preparedness planning. She is an 11th grade student and a first-generation American. When her parents immigrated from Poland, their English skills where not strong, making it hard for them to understand what to do during disasters. This has inspired Julia to work to expand and deliver preparedness information to all audiences. She created preparedness posters in Polish, Spanish and English for her community.
As a Region 5 YPC member, Julia has helped people with Down syndrome learn about preparedness. She also worked on a teen advisory board, where she helps share healthy coping mechanisms with youth in a low-income community. Julia has learned more about reaching out to diverse audiences as a member of DECA, a national group that prepares students interested in marketing and management as leaders and entrepreneurs. She competes on an international level with the group in marketing information to targeted groups. This experience in public speaking has helped Julia develop skills in how to present preparedness information to various audiences.
Julia presented bills on ways to combat climate change as a member of her school’s Illinois Youth and Government group. She volunteers with her local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and has won several awards in their essay contests.
In her free time, Julia plays volleyball and has competed on a national level. She also likes listening to music, poetry, and long walks with her dog, and is learning to juggle.