The Frances McClelland Youth Vision Award is given to honor a youth leader or group of leaders who are working towards improving the well-being of children, youth, families, and community. The youth embody the strength, dedication, vision and passion that Frances McClelland exhibited throughout her life and youth. This award is for a youth leader or a group of leaders who inspire hope for Arizona’s future. Frances overcame adversity through her life and manifested resilience. We are looking for youth that embody Frances’ spirit of valuing her immigrant roots, overcoming adversity, and demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges. We are looking for future professionals who will work with individuals and families in careers of family, health, criminal justice, psychology, social work, healthcare practitioners, teaching, and other related fields. The youth leader or group of leaders should be between 11-22 years old.
Loralei Cook is a student at Arizona Connections Academy and a member of the National Honors Society. In her sophomore year of high school, she joined her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance Club and founded the Galliard International Review, a literary magazine dedicated to promoting the work of young women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC writers. While serving as the editor-in-chief of this magazine, she became active in LGBTQ+ advocacy, joining GLSEN Phoenix’s SHINE Team, a select group of LGBTQ+ youth activists, and GLSEN Phoenix’s Policy Committee. Loralei then started Queer on Campus, a student-led initiative encouraging LGBTQ+ inclusion and support in the education system. She is also a Bill Researcher and Lobbyist for HER: Empowered and an Activism and Politics Contributor for Et Cetera Magazine, where she urges for the empowerment of women in politics. Striving to create safe spaces for all of Arizona’s students, Loralei hopes that her future contributions will further diversity, equity, and kindness in the community.
